At the turn of the 20th century, vivacious young Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J.P. Morgan to curate the manuscripts, rare books, and artwork for his new Pierpont Morgan Library. She becomes a fixture in New York society and one of the country's leading librarians, creating a world-class collection with her impeccable taste and shrewd negotiation. But Belle has a secret she protects at all costs; her supposed Portuguese heritage is a sham—she is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard. Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR, this novel tells the story of an extraordinary woman who had to deny her African American identity to succeed in a racist world.

"Every element of this blockbuster historical novel is compelling and revelatory, beginning with the bedazzling protagonist based with awestruck care on Belle da Costa Greene…. [This] novel of enthralling drama, humor, sensuality, and insight … [is a] resounding tale of a brilliant and resilient woman defying sexism, classism, and racism during the brutality of Jim Crow."—Booklist (starred review)