The book
Based on the true story of Belle da Costa Greene, a woman who defied all odds to carve out a destiny of her own choosing, this is a richly imagined novel bursting with atmosphere, lush period detail, and many unforgettable characters.
New York in the 1900s. A young girl fascinated by rare books defies all odds and becomes the director of one of the country’s most prestigious private libraries. It belongs to the magnate J.P. Morgan, darling of the international aristocracy and one of the city’s richest men.
Flamboyant, brilliant, beautiful, Belle is among New York society’s most sought after intellectuals. She also hides a secret. Although she looks white, she is African American, the daughter of a famous black activist who sees her desire to hide her origins as the consummate betrayal. Torn between history’s ineluctable imperatives and the freedom to belong to the society of her choosing, Belle’s drama, which plays out in a violently racist America, is one that resonates forcefully, and illuminatingly even today.
The fruit of years of research and interviews, Alexandra Lapierre’s magnificent novel recounts the struggles, victories, and heartbreaks of a woman who is free, astonishingly determined, daring, and fully, exuberantly alive.
The author
Alexandra Lapierre
Alexandra Lapierre is a bestselling French novelist, short story writer and biographer. She graduated from Sorbonne University and the University of Southern California. Among her works that bring back to life great women and characters neglected by history, is the international bestseller Artemisia (Vintage, 2012). Her books have been published in more than twenty countries.
Press
- Aug 11 2022
“Richly-imagined.”
— Toronto Star - Jun 30 2022
“30 Best Books to Add to Your 2022 Summer Reading List”
— Reader's Digest - Jun 10 2022
“The 33 Must-Read Books of Summer 2022”
— Town & Country - Jun 8 2022
“Summer reading recommendations”
— Laconia Daily Sun - May 1 2022
“Compelling and well-crafted.”
— Historical Novels Society - Mar 30 2022
“An engaging story about a brilliant woman who risks everything.”
— Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)