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bpompa05's review
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
annamk1704's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
thephdivabooks's review
4.0
I go through phases with historical fiction and right now I’m absolutely loving them. I’d read Stephanie Marie Thornton’s prior book American Princess which was a fictionalized narrative non-fiction (honestly not sure how to label this specific sub-genre!) about Alice Roosevelt, which I loved. So when I saw And They Called it Camelot: A Novel of Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, I grabbed it right away. I love the way Thornton takes stories about real people grounded in real events and uses her imagination to fill in the other pieces. It feels like reading a memoir, but with the flair of a fiction book.
Jackie Kennedy is truly an icon. She is everything glamour, class, and chic. I went to an exhibit once of just preserved outfits she wore and was photographed in for notable events in history and I felt quite humbled by the experience. Afterall, the thing about Jackie is that she wasn’t only a style icon, she also is an important historical figure.
Wen I was reading this, I guess I didn’t really put together how young she was in her time as the first lady. Only 31 years old! At a time when men were the changemakers, Jackie O truly carved her own place in history. Her life may seem like a fairy tale, but the more I learned about her and saw the woman behind the legend, I realized how much tragedy she had in her life. Beyond just the assassination of JFK (which was indeed heart breaking), Jackie’s life wasn’t all magic and glamour. I loved reading this because I felt I learned so much more about her and I see her through different eyes.
The novel begins just before Jackie met JFK, which is a period of her life I knew almost nothing about. As we watch the two fall in love and get married, Jackie is dealing with all of the complications that come with marrying into a family like the Kennedys.
And of course, the part we are all ashamed to be curious about—the book touches on JFK’s infidelities. I thought these were handled with a careful hand. We don’t only see what JFK did to Jackie with is affairs (one of which was quite famous—I kept thinking about how humiliating that would be), we also see Jackie as much more than the docile 50s housewife that many assume her to be when it came to the infidelity. Jackie is in love, but more than that, Jackie knows that JFK’s career is bigger than their marriage. The impact he can have on the world is more important than her struggles as his wife.
One thing I also learned about Jackie during this time is how important family is to her. She is a mother to her core, and that’s something I really respected about her.
And yes, Marilyn Monroe is included. But I’ll save that to let you see how Jackie felt about her in the book.
The book also converse JFK’s assassination and Jackie’s retreat from the spotlight after it occurs. One thing I thought interesting is how Thornton portrayed Jackie’s marriage to Aristotle Onassis, a Greek magnate. Thornton makes the case that this was part of Jackie’s desire to remove herself and her family from the public eye and towards a sense of security and privacy.
And of course, the book touches on Jackie’s relationship with Bobby Kennedy. This was interesting—I had always heard rumors of an affair between the two. The book is inconclusive (as is, I believe, historical record). But I do think the book highlights why the two became close through their grief over the loss of Jack.
I could go on and on about this book. If I left it with anything, it was an appreciation for Jackie’s intellect, class, feminism, and strength as a woman and a mother.
Thank you to Berkley for my copy. Opinions are my own.
Jackie Kennedy is truly an icon. She is everything glamour, class, and chic. I went to an exhibit once of just preserved outfits she wore and was photographed in for notable events in history and I felt quite humbled by the experience. Afterall, the thing about Jackie is that she wasn’t only a style icon, she also is an important historical figure.
Wen I was reading this, I guess I didn’t really put together how young she was in her time as the first lady. Only 31 years old! At a time when men were the changemakers, Jackie O truly carved her own place in history. Her life may seem like a fairy tale, but the more I learned about her and saw the woman behind the legend, I realized how much tragedy she had in her life. Beyond just the assassination of JFK (which was indeed heart breaking), Jackie’s life wasn’t all magic and glamour. I loved reading this because I felt I learned so much more about her and I see her through different eyes.
The novel begins just before Jackie met JFK, which is a period of her life I knew almost nothing about. As we watch the two fall in love and get married, Jackie is dealing with all of the complications that come with marrying into a family like the Kennedys.
And of course, the part we are all ashamed to be curious about—the book touches on JFK’s infidelities. I thought these were handled with a careful hand. We don’t only see what JFK did to Jackie with is affairs (one of which was quite famous—I kept thinking about how humiliating that would be), we also see Jackie as much more than the docile 50s housewife that many assume her to be when it came to the infidelity. Jackie is in love, but more than that, Jackie knows that JFK’s career is bigger than their marriage. The impact he can have on the world is more important than her struggles as his wife.
One thing I also learned about Jackie during this time is how important family is to her. She is a mother to her core, and that’s something I really respected about her.
And yes, Marilyn Monroe is included. But I’ll save that to let you see how Jackie felt about her in the book.
The book also converse JFK’s assassination and Jackie’s retreat from the spotlight after it occurs. One thing I thought interesting is how Thornton portrayed Jackie’s marriage to Aristotle Onassis, a Greek magnate. Thornton makes the case that this was part of Jackie’s desire to remove herself and her family from the public eye and towards a sense of security and privacy.
And of course, the book touches on Jackie’s relationship with Bobby Kennedy. This was interesting—I had always heard rumors of an affair between the two. The book is inconclusive (as is, I believe, historical record). But I do think the book highlights why the two became close through their grief over the loss of Jack.
I could go on and on about this book. If I left it with anything, it was an appreciation for Jackie’s intellect, class, feminism, and strength as a woman and a mother.
Thank you to Berkley for my copy. Opinions are my own.
bargainsleuth's review
5.0
I read historical fiction from time to time, and it usually frustrates me. Because I normally pick up novels based upon people and events of which I am familiar, I get frustrated with the liberties taken with facts to tell a good story. Not so with this book.
I've read over 60 books on the Kennedy family in the last few years, so I was curious about this historical novel of Jacqueline Onassis. It is about as accurate as you can get for historical fiction, and even though I knew her real story quite well, I thought the author did a good job of weaving the facts and quotes into a narrative that worked.
Read more of my reviews at www.bargain-sleuth.com
I've read over 60 books on the Kennedy family in the last few years, so I was curious about this historical novel of Jacqueline Onassis. It is about as accurate as you can get for historical fiction, and even though I knew her real story quite well, I thought the author did a good job of weaving the facts and quotes into a narrative that worked.
Read more of my reviews at www.bargain-sleuth.com
jbeen21's review
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
d_hryniuk's review
5.0
All I want is a man with a little imagination. Is that too much to ask?
So Jacqueline got a man with a WIDE imagination and her decision to marry him turned her life in a completely different direction. I liked reading about her very much. I knew almost nothing about her so I learned a lot. I googled often to know more about that times, different personalities, to see her in all those clothes described.
I was astounded by her inner power, by her strong love towards Jack, and by her willingness to make the world a better place. While I was reading the book, I felt all her disappointments, fears, and pain by myself. The author did a really good job delivering Jackie's state of mind and her point of view on different things.
I absolutely loved reading this novel. So I think I'll continue to improve my knowledge of some women in history with Stephanie Thornton.
beastreader's review
4.0
I honestly don't know much about Jackie Kennedy or the Kennedy family for that matter. This may have been an advantage in my favor. I say this as I saw the mixed reactions from readers with this book. Because I did not have knowledge, I was able to take this book as a bit of a memoir of Jackie but fiction.
Her voice as narrator of this book was clear, strong, warm, and a great narrator. I really embraced her. This was mostly her story. Her side of what transpired when she met Jack. Married him, became the First Lady, had children, etc. Yet, everyone else came alive as well in this book.
Stephanie has a way with embodying the characters, their voices, and the story she is telling to the readers that makes them want to keep reading. This was an enjoyable read.
Her voice as narrator of this book was clear, strong, warm, and a great narrator. I really embraced her. This was mostly her story. Her side of what transpired when she met Jack. Married him, became the First Lady, had children, etc. Yet, everyone else came alive as well in this book.
Stephanie has a way with embodying the characters, their voices, and the story she is telling to the readers that makes them want to keep reading. This was an enjoyable read.