Scan barcode
ashberg's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
worldsunlikeourown's review against another edition
4.0
Find this review and more on my blog at Worlds Unlike Our Own.
Stephanie Thornton’s latest novel brings us the story of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis from her first meeting with Jack, all the way to the dedication of the JFK Library. This is going to be a rather short review because the beauty of this book is in the way the story unfolds, so too many details will spoil the experience. As a rule, I tend to stay away from post WWII era historical fiction in general, but Stephanie Thornton’s novels are some of the few I am willing to try, particularly when it comes to historical personas I know little about. After last year’s American Princess, I am basically willing to read anything she writes. And They Called It Camelot is narrated in first person, by Jackie herself, and it was the perfect way to get to know this famous figure in American history.
As is with most of her novels, this is not one that can be rushed through. This narrative takes its time getting to the point, seeming torturously slow at times, especially since the reader knows where it’s going, but despite that manages to build up a kind of anticipation. I liked that this book took the time to focus on Jackie’s relationships with the rest of the Kennedys, in particular her father in law Joe and brother in law Bobby, both of whom not only supported her in times of need, but recognized and appreciated her intelligence and political acumen. As we follow Jackie through the years, we get a surprisingly intimate glimpse into her life and the story behind those golden days of Camelot. Her public image was always one of grace and sophistication, but Stephanie Thornton skillfully portrays the woman beneath – her trials and tribulations and her strength and perseverance in the face of hardships and loss and it’s impossible to not come away from this book with a new sense of respect for her.
Overall, this was a wonderful read, and clearly a very well researched one too. The author’s note is also very interesting and it discusses the few liberties that have been taken with the story. While this is a fictional account, it mirrors true events and timelines very closely and it was a delight to read. I absolutely loved this portrayal of Jackie Kennedy and I can’t wait to see what Stephanie Thornton’s next work is going to be. And They Called It Camelot is a book I would highly recommend for any historical fiction fans.
Stephanie Thornton’s latest novel brings us the story of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis from her first meeting with Jack, all the way to the dedication of the JFK Library. This is going to be a rather short review because the beauty of this book is in the way the story unfolds, so too many details will spoil the experience. As a rule, I tend to stay away from post WWII era historical fiction in general, but Stephanie Thornton’s novels are some of the few I am willing to try, particularly when it comes to historical personas I know little about. After last year’s American Princess, I am basically willing to read anything she writes. And They Called It Camelot is narrated in first person, by Jackie herself, and it was the perfect way to get to know this famous figure in American history.
As is with most of her novels, this is not one that can be rushed through. This narrative takes its time getting to the point, seeming torturously slow at times, especially since the reader knows where it’s going, but despite that manages to build up a kind of anticipation. I liked that this book took the time to focus on Jackie’s relationships with the rest of the Kennedys, in particular her father in law Joe and brother in law Bobby, both of whom not only supported her in times of need, but recognized and appreciated her intelligence and political acumen. As we follow Jackie through the years, we get a surprisingly intimate glimpse into her life and the story behind those golden days of Camelot. Her public image was always one of grace and sophistication, but Stephanie Thornton skillfully portrays the woman beneath – her trials and tribulations and her strength and perseverance in the face of hardships and loss and it’s impossible to not come away from this book with a new sense of respect for her.
Overall, this was a wonderful read, and clearly a very well researched one too. The author’s note is also very interesting and it discusses the few liberties that have been taken with the story. While this is a fictional account, it mirrors true events and timelines very closely and it was a delight to read. I absolutely loved this portrayal of Jackie Kennedy and I can’t wait to see what Stephanie Thornton’s next work is going to be. And They Called It Camelot is a book I would highly recommend for any historical fiction fans.
franklyfrank's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
marc's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
bpompa05's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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.
jbeen21's review against another edition
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0