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There are currently 21 member reviews
for And They Called It Camelot
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Linda Z. (Melville, NY)
The History and Legacy of an American First Lady
Stephanie Marie Thornton, Author of "And They Called it Camelot: A Novel of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis" has written a poignant, memorable, intriguing, intense, and captivating novel. The Genres for this novel are Fiction and Historical Fiction. I love the author's style of writing and her way of vividly describing the life and events of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. I am grateful to Berkley Publishing, BookBrowse Books and Stephanie Marie Thornton for an Early Advanced Reading Edition.
I have always been interested in Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis's history and legacy. The author describes Jacqueline and her relationship with her mother and sister. Also discussed is her marriage to Jack Kennedy and her relationship to the Kennedys. How many women are America's First Lady? I especially enjoyed the way Jacqueline is described as a doting and devoted Mother. Also, Jacqueline's intelligence, artistic creativity, and fashion statements are also discussed.
The author has used "poetic license" when it comes to actually mentioning some historical dates, and many of the situations are based on "What if.....?" There is no doubt that Jacqueline had a heartbreaking and tragic life, and was able to move on, and survive. I would highly recommend this memorable novel for those readers who enjoy Historical Fiction.
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Barbara B. (Evansville, IN)
Very Believable Kennedy Fiction
Myth or legend, the idea of Camelot during the Kennedy political years was proposed by Jackie Kennedy in interviews with journalist Theodore White after JFK's death. Jackie was adept and convincing at creating a positive image from a lamentable life and marriage. Told from Jackie's point of view, this historical fiction does a wonderful job of debunking their fairytale lifestyle.
The novel displays a solid partnership between Jackie and the Kennedy family. Together, they spin an almost fairy-tale image to America and the world. To the contrary, their lives were slightly tragic with attempts to cover up sadness. Jackie helped tremendously with JFK's book, Profiles In Courage, and then she debated leaving him at times. This novel is highly skilled at revealing the contradictions in their lives.
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Susan R. (Julian, NC)
The Real Jackie
On her author page, Stephanie Thornton says that she "retells the stories of history's forgotten women". Jacqueline Kennedy is not exactly a forgotten woman in American history but what Americans remember about her was often very different than the real person that she was. In this well-researched book, we are able to learn about the REAL Jackie - the one often hidden from the public, the person full of doubts and fears and full of love for her family.
For many younger readers, this book will be a history book. Because I was in high school when JFK was assassinated, this book brought back many sad memories. Like most Americans, I was glued to the TV for several days, watching the pageantry in DC and crying for days. At the time, it was impossible to have any feelings for the first lady other than profound respect for the way she handled the funeral, her children and herself. She later fell off the false pedestal that America had put her on when she married Onassis but was the pedestal ever really real or was she someone just like us with doubts and fears and sadness? After reading this book, I understand so much more about her - her love for her husband despite his philandering ways, her unconditional love for her children and her fear for their safety and her wish to make a mark on Washington and be a true respected partner with her husband. Even though this was fiction, I felt like I was reading Jackie's memoir. The author did so much research and it felt like she had totally captured Jackie's voice.
Thanks to BookBrowse for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
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Mary S. (Hilton Head Island, SC)
Future best Seller
As a young adult growing up in the Kennedy era, I was surprised how much I had forgotten many of the events and emotions of that time. The author recreated those times with meticulous and artful detail. Her attention to historical fact was remarkable. The only criticism I might have is the depiction of the relationship between Robert Kennedy and Jackie. It seemed a bit unbelievable and its telling was much too long. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed the retelling of "Camelot" of the 1960s through the eyes of our "Queen".
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Marcia H. (Sarasota, FL)
And They Called It Camelot by Stephanie Marie Thornton
I really tried to like this book but ended up being critical of it. I was looking forward to reading about the Kennedys and their life together but this intimate recreation of their lives seemed like gossip. I did however find many of the details interesting and I learned things I didn't know.
I did find the author's notes in the Reader's Guide interesting and it explained her thinking about her decisions in changing things in her book. And I did like the ending of this story highlighting Jackie's love of her children which came out tenderly in this book.
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Joanne V. (Towanda, PA)
Another glimpse of Camelot
I really liked this book especially the first person narrative and the obvious extensive research done by the author. I still remember exactly where I was when I first heard President Kennedy was assassinated and the days following. It was sad to remember and I have generally tried to avoid books about it, but was intrigued at the author's approach - a lot for discussion. I would have given it a 5 except that at times the prose just didn't fit with my view of JKO.
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Carol F. (Lake Linden, MI)
Good at Start
A thoroughly researched book on not only Jacqueline Kennedy but also members of the Kennedy "clan". At the start of the book the author makes it very clear how intelligent Jackie was - fluent in 5 languages, a well read lover of history and politics, a writer and reporter for the Washington Times. But then the author seems to forget all of that and Jackie becomes this vapid, simpering person whose knees buckle and heart throbs. Perhaps it was an effort to try and make her more human but it did become a bit over the top with melodramatic made up quotes.
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