The Personal Librarian

1. General Impressions 

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Prior to reading the novel, had you encountered other books or movies telling the story of high-achieving Black women from history? Why do you think it is important that these stories be shared? Do you think historical fiction is a good vehicle for sharing the stories of remarkable individuals?
• The Personal Librarian is based on the life of a historical figure, Belle da Costa Greene. Do you like reading historical fiction that draws on the life of a real person? What are the pros and cons of reading historical fiction rather than biography?
• Have you encountered other fictional or historical stories of a Black person “passing” as white? What factors might motivate an individual to disguise their racial identity?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Belle’s father was the first Black student to graduate from Harvard. Do you think having a high-achieving parent creates challenges for a child? How do you think parents can prevent their children from feeling pressure to overachieve?
• Belle decides to sacrifice authenticity and honesty to achieve career goals that would likely never have been available to her as an openly Black woman. Have you ever been tempted to lie or hide something to get something that you wanted? How did you navigate that decision?
• Belle uses her wardrobe and physical appearance to feel confident. What accessories or items of clothing help you to feel confident, especially in professional situations? Is there someone whose personal style you admire?
• Belle is surprised and hurt by the way that Bernard behaves after she unexpectedly becomes pregnant. Have you experienced being disappointed or betrayed by someone you trusted in a vulnerable situation? Why are these types of experiences so painful?
• Genevieve is an important influence on Belle’s life. Do you think that, overall, Genevieve is a positive or negative influence on her daughter? Were you sympathetic to the choices Genevieve makes, such as beginning the process of “passing” her family as white?

3. Societal and Cultural Context 

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

• At different times in history, Black Americans and women have been formally or informally barred from positions of power. What obstacles do Black women face in their chosen careers in the contemporary era? What strategies do you think an ambitious Black woman might utilize to achieve her aspirations? How could various fields or industries work to support Black women and other underrepresented groups?
• JP repeatedly makes sexual overtures to Belle. Why do you think that sexual harassment in the workplace continues to be a problem? Have you seen organizations or companies effectively create policies and culture to prevent sexual harassment?

4. Literary Analysis 

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

• Why are Bernard and Belle drawn to one another? How does Bernard’s experience of navigating his identity (he was born into a Jewish family but converted to Christianity) align with or differ from Belle’s experience?
• Belle decides that she can never have children because to do so would be to risk revealing her racial identity. Does she consider this sacrifice to be worthwhile? Does Belle’s career provide adequate compensation for the family life she gives up? What is the novel’s overall stance on such sacrifices?
• Benedict and Murray repeatedly use language to represent works of visual art (a literary device known as ekphrasis). What techniques (e.g., simile, imagery, etc.) allow them to evoke the art they are describing? Could you picture the paintings being written about?
• Discuss the symbolism of Belle choosing to burn her correspondence at the end of the novel. Why does she feel that she must do so?

5. Creative Engagement 

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

• The practice of curating an art collection is a major aspect of The Personal Librarian. If you could create your own art collection, what are some of the pieces you would include? Consider creating a collage, Pinterest board, or other mock-up of your ideal art collection—are there any principles, periods, or art movements that you would focus on?
• Research some of the items owned by the Morgan Library. Choose one artifact that you find interesting or moving and learn about when and how it was acquired. Discuss the pros and cons of objects being owned by institutions such as the Morgan Library. If you happened to inherit or acquire a rare manuscript or work of art, would you want it to be available for the public to view?

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