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There are currently 22 member reviews
for Jackie & Me
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Lauri Z. (Washington, DC)
Felt like Historical fiction- compelling read
I thoroughly enjoyed this book yet I'm still not sure how to distinguish historical fact from the author's rendition of "alternative history" in this book. That is not a criticism, in fact my curiosity was peaked such that the book became somewhat a page turner. The relationship between Jackie and Lem was heartwarming. I can imagine having a confidante such as Lem to keep a person well balanced. I was surprised to learn in the acknowledgments that there was in fact a "real" Lem. This book peeled back the curtains on "Camelot" and I do think I found the narrative of the Kennedy family political and personal aspirations intriguing.
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Sharon J. (Raleigh, NC)
Jackie and Me
While the story, Jackie and Me, presents itself as a fictional work, I kept wanting to know more about the real lives of JFK, Jackie and Lem. The author did a fantastic job developing their individual worlds, their relationships and the planned out paths they took. It made me appreciate the very lonely life Jackie had at that time and the very special friendship she and Lem had. I would recommend Jackie and Me and look forward to reading more works by Louis Bayard.
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Judith C. (Lake Oswego, OR)
Jackie and Me
As a reader of all the biographies on Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis I could find, I was a little skeptical about reading an historical depiction of her friendship with Lem Billings. I needn't have worried. I couldn't put the book down and raced through it. And then was sorry that I had finished it so quickly.
The book is well written and I'm looking forward to reading more of Louis Bayard's books.
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Mel F. (Auburn, MA)
Interesting read on Jackie Bouvier (pre Kennedy)
A well written and engaging book about the relationship between Kirk LeMoyne "Lem" Billings (the best friend of John F. Kennedy) and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, before she became the iconic First Lady. Bayard writes in the voice of Lem who developed a friendship with Jack Kennedy when they were students at Choate. They bonded by their mutual dislike of Choate's rules and headmasters. Bayard portrays Jackie Bouvier (before she became a Kennedy) as "The scrapping career girl with homemade clothes and ladders in her stockings…who doubted herself at every move." Jack Kennedy initiated the friendship between Lem and Jackie since he was so focused on his political career that he didn't have the time for a proper courtship. Bayard uses a combination of fact and fiction to describe the friendship between Lem and Jackie which appeared as a "vetting process" to determine Jackie's suitability as a politician's wife and addition to the Kennedy clan. Lem became a confidante to this "other" Jackie- a young woman who was more naïve and vulnerable to the handsome, charismatic then Congressman from Massachusetts and his high-profile powerful family. This read is an interesting insight into one of the most famous of relationships that garnered interest by both the public and the press.
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Lloyde N. (Olympia, WA)
Reading for Pleasure
One of my favorite sentences in the book starts in Chapter 2, "One of the things about being retired is you either give up on reading all those books you said you would or you finally get around to them". This is a book that because of retirement I had the opportunity to read and fully savor. There are many places in the book where the reader will learn new facts about Jackie Bouvier and her relationship with Lem Billings, and the doors he opened for her. The cast of characters is superb and Bayard has caught the subtle nuances of mid-century life. I recommend this book, and enjoyed it.
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Jennifer B. (Oviedo, FL)
Jackie!
Oh my! This has been a deliciously fun book! Louis Bayard has written a story that readers will consume eagerly. Although we know going in this a novel, it's tempting to conjecture what parts are true or based in truth. The story of Jackie before her marriage to JFK was not familiar to me. Their friendship with Lem Billings was also news to me, but I enjoyed every antidote about the triad. Louis Bayard has done well with his foray into romantic storytelling. He remains one of my favorite writers.
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Elizabeth V. (Bellbrook, OH)
Fictionalized History at its Best
I loved Louis Bayard's fictional versions of Jack and Jackie as seen by Lem Billings, Jack's "wing man" during their courtship. The wistful tone of Lem's memories was poignant and endearing. Bayard's depiction of Jack and Jackie's relationship rang very true to me and gave a sense of depth and humanity to their iconic images. Highly recommend.
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