Lynn’s Comments (group member since Sep 17, 2023)

Lynn’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Day 4

15. "No matter how close I feel to Bernard, how connected to him intellectually and emotionally, I will never divulge my secret."

So after their weeks of passion and declaring their undying love, Belle admits she will never reveal her secret. And Bernard shows jealously about her relationship with J P Morgan. Trouble in Paradise! Do you think the fact that Belle won't share her deepest secret with Bernard (and he doesn't see to be able to share his with her) lessens the significance of their relationship? And why do you think the two men are possessive of Belle in different ways?

Their relationship seemed doomed from the start. Without true honesty on both sides, I expect each of them feel this deep down. The men do not or cannot understand Belle’s connection to each leading to their feelings of jealously despite the different “type” of relationship each has with Belle.

16. Wow, Chapters 25 and 26 are just poignantly sad. It seems Belle's hesitation to tell Bernard all was the right one. Was there any alternative for Belle other than the action that she took in London?

At that time, I do feel there was no other choice for Belle to make especially given Bernard’s reaction. Truly sad as you said!

17. Chapter 28 - What a powerful chapter. I had no idea of this small window in time in which equality looked so promising. And the US is not the only country that has to confront its past, Australia also has a lot of issues to work through as well. How are these confronting themes of racism, inequality and sexism affecting you as you follow along with Belle's story?

The revelation that Belle’s mother shares is quite poignant. The issue that it took so long to move from the Civil Rights Act of 1875 signed by Grant to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 signed by Johnson and its need to have this enforce the 15th Amendment enacted in 1869 just illustrates the long struggle that African American (men) had to endure. And even more so, the 19th Amendment granting women of all nationalities and ethnicities the right to vote.

18. At last Belle has the Caxton Le Morte Darthur secured for Mr Morgan. But what ramifications! How do you see their relationship? Does it confirm the adage that men and women can never be just friends?

I do think that they had a tenuous relationship to begin with. If one flirts with more than just friendship I believe it is hard to recapture that.

Day 3

11. Mr. Morgan and his increasing neediness are raising red flags all over my brain. What do you make of the relationship Morgan and Belle share? His possessiveness is somewhat extreme, to the point where he even requests her to attend personal family events even though the rest of the family do not necessarily want her there, but - supposedly - because he cannot be without her at all anymore? And what do you make of his condition for her travel arrangements? Is it truly only the fact that Bernard was a Jew before converting or is he jealous of Bernard being able to do what he himself cannot let himself do?

I do agree that the possessiveness JP Morgan is exhibiting seems a bit odd. And to that end, I think this is feeding into the increased jealousy of Belle’s infatuation with Bernard. From the innuendos they shared earlier in their relationship, I think JP is regretting that he didn’t pursue that deeper connection with Belle.

12. We previously discussed Belle's boldness when it comes to business transactions, but she is only now realising what kind of portrait she paints of herself by behaving the way she does at society events. Do you have any thoughts or predictions on how this might continue?

I’m beginning to fear that people will start “investigating” more closely her family roots.

13. "Haven't I sacrificed enough at the altar of whiteness? That sentence struck an enormous chord with me, especially in light of what has been done and discussed in the novel so far. I cannot help but wonder if Belle is going to overstep some boundaries she herself and her mother have set - and I don't just mean her increasing drinking at parties and the way she acts like a clown/pet for the rich and famous. Are there any other words that gave you pause?

Shortly after that sentence came the sentence, “…I wonder if I fit in anywhere.” She certainly is walking a precarious line.

14. Bernard Berenson is not who he claims to be. I'm not sure Russian Jew, as Belle thinks, is the case, but I'm not quite ready to venture an educated guess. Aaaaand I can't help but wonder if he knows Belle's secret because he has a different lookout on certain situations in life than the wealthy people she usually deals with, who let themselves be blinded by flashy dresses and silly flirtations. What is your take on this? How do you think the Italian trip is going to continue and what will the repercussions be? Also, were you expecting a sex scene in this novel? I sure wasn't.

Introducing the interactions with Bernard are certainly interesting. I keep wondering how much is really know about their relationship in the non-fictional sense.

Day 2:

6. I had to break away from the book to learn more about Anne Morgan. Now I’m fascinated by her. She was the first American woman appointed a commander of the French Legion of Honor, among many other impressive accomplishments. Has there been any person, location, or other topic that caught your curiosity to research further?

I actually stopped to look at a number of persons and topics. The most fascinating was the Morgan Library and Museum (https://www.themorgan.org/). What I wouldn’t give to go to New York and visit on of the exhibits. The online information is quite extensive and I’m planning on spending more time with it after I finish the book.

7. “Leaving the auction midway is not the usual protocol, but I want everyone to understand that the Pierpont Morgan Library and its librarian are singular.” Who else giggled and woo-hooed at this? I continue to be in awe of Belle’s self-assurance. What about her background that we know so far do you think contributed to this characteristic? Or do you think it was more innate than acquired?

I think she has a lot of her father’s tenacity and innate knowledge of how certain situations should be handled. She often “mention” that while her mother wouldn’t think of handling things the way she has this implies to me that her love of her father and his feelings toward “great works” lead her to go with her gut when employing her uncharacteristic methods of acquition.

8. I couldn’t help but be shocked at the description of the family moving from the whites train car to the other. The lack of upholstery and tables, as well as the description of the bathroom facilities, really hit home as a dividing line. What else from the narrative demonstrated the delineation between any of the groups depicted (white and POC, mega rich and “have nots,” men and women, etc.)?

I was struck by the insinuations made by both Anne and her “friend” that Belle and her brother must have some connection to roots in the tropics (i.e., Cuba perhaps). It was enjoyable when Belle finally shut down the rumor mill by mentioning the living situation of the three women.

9. Who else was holding their breath about Morgan’s anger toward Belle and the newspaper article? I knew it had to be ok because, in real life, she did work for him for many years. But that doesn’t mean I wasn’t incredibly nervous for her!

I was very curious to find out what was the cause for his anger. Like Lisa I knew deep down that it would resolve itself, it was still an anxious point in the chapter.

10. I love how her ploy for acquiring the Caxtons from Lord Amherst worked out! Do you think she will ever acquire Le Morte Darthur?

I’m hoping so! I’ve even had to restrain myself from google in order to not spoil it.

1). Did you know of Bella's story prior to picking up The Personal Librarian? Did your knowledge (or lack of) her story influence your decision to decide to read this book?

No, wanting to join a BOM challenge led me to this group and I’m so glad I found this one. When reading the blurb about this book which seemed extremely interesting and the fact that I received it from the library on time was a great incentive to join in.

2). In the early 1900's would you do what Bella's mother did and lie on the census and have them pass as a family as white? Even with your husband as a civil rights activist?

It’s hard to imagine being in their position. Reading this and the exposure to that all is going on with race relations now, I realize I’ve led a very privileged life growing up white. I don’t envy the choices that they had to make in the early 1900’s to try and elevate out of situations that made it difficult to not have enough money to live comfortably. I’m sure that it wasn’t an easy decision to make. It’s heartbreaking that it split the family apart.

3). The mega rich just exist different I think. I can't image having priceless original works in a rando box or just sitting out on the floor in the foyer. Can you image being that blasé about one of a kind, million-dollar pieces of art?

No, but then I’m not in this situation. I live a comfortable life but even thinking of owning a piece of art that would be considered “museum” worthy is something that I can’t even comprehend.

4). What are your impressions of JP Morgan and his family so far? What about his desire to have a library/collection so vast he needs a personal librarian/curator?

I’ve enjoyed diving into the world of JP Morgan. I have to remember that this considered “historical fiction” so I’m not sure how much can be taken at face value. I’d love to have time to fact check things. The fact that his collection is so large that he needs a personal librarian/curator wasn’t all that surprising. What I did find interesting was the mention of Bella hiring an assistant in the future. I look forward to seeing if that does happen.

5). Belle. What a complicated web she walks on, sticky and thin, that threatens to break if she takes one wrong step. A woman, white-passing, from a working-class family trying to make it in the mega wealthy white man's world. That takes some gumption and seems exhausting and scary. What do you think of her so far?

I love her. I love how she brings up her mother each time she decides she needs to act in a certain way that she knows her mother would disapprove but does it anyway. This allows her to fit in.