And
They Called It Camelot by Stephanie Marie Thornton brings
to life one of America’s iconic figures, Jacqueline
Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. Although much has been written and
told, readers who think they know everything about her legacy
will find that there are actually new and meaningful true
revelations with this intimate portrait.
The author emphasized, “I would like to think my version
is lightly fictionalized because there was a lot of research
I did to make it as authentic as possible. I tried to put
most everything in that was true, but if not, I wrote it in
the author’s notes. It was not necessary to embellish
their lives. I wrote the story from Jackie’s voice to
put the reader there and in her thoughts. I wanted them to
be a fly on the wall and see her amazing life through her
eyes. I think it was a more powerful story because people
could realize what it was like to be Jackie Kennedy and experience
all those events.”
The former First Lady was glamorous, strong, intelligent,
politically savvy, charming, and stylistic. She was able to
adapt to the many difficult situations thrown at her. This
legend was full of grace, dignity, with a strong strength
to survive.
Although billed as a novel, it is more like a memoir, with
Jackie telling the readers her thoughts and the events of
her life. There is a glimpse of her upbringing in a broken
home with a harsh mother, to becoming a debutante, horsewoman,
and journalist. But the real story begins after she met Congressman
John F. Kennedy, marries him, and they begin their journey,
becoming America’s royalty. By telling the story in
Jackie’s voice, readers can feel her pain and celebrate
her triumphs. They grieve with her over three of her children’s
death, the many painful episodes of JFK’s infidelity,
and that bloody day in Dallas when Camelot ended. But they
will also cheer as they see her formidable ways, not shying
away from her husband’s philandering, but confronting
him head-on. In the last few years of their marriage, they
became partners where both recognized their love for each
other and how they respected, needed, and depended on one
another.
“I put in two book quotes that typified him. “Jack
holds everyone in the palm of his hands,” and “The
potency of Jack’s allure, his ability to make you feel
as if you were the only person on earth who mattered to him,
even if it was only a façade.” He did make people
feel like they were the most important people in the room
until he moved on to the next person. He is a war hero, a
man of action who had great ideas, including the Peace Corps,
and going to the moon. I think he liked to compartmentalize.
He was terribly charismatic.”
The last part of the book explores the close relationship
between Bobby Kennedy and Jackie, how each gained solace and
strength from one another as they tried to cope with President
Kennedy’s assassination. Then there was the marriage
to Aristotle Onassis, mainly to protect her children. The
novel ended on a positive note with Jackie Kennedy Onassis
just becoming “Jackie,” making a career for herself
as an editor. The story concluded in 1977 with the dedication
of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library.
“I think that Jackie’s relationship with Bobby
was intriguing. Both of them were so broken after the assassination
and became incredibly close emotionally. They leaned on each
other. He was her anchor, friend, guard, and comforter. She
became his advisor and confidant, who encouraged him to pursue
his ideals even though she had hesitations.”
John F. Kennedy wrote a book entitled Profiles In Courage
about historical figures, acts of integrity, bravery, and
mental toughness. After reading this fictional account by
Thornton, it becomes apparent that had Profiles In Courage
been written today, Jackie Kennedy would have been included.
Throughout her life, she showed the noblest of human values
and a formidable spirit with incredible strength and resilience.
|
