I adore what Dawn Tripp did with this book. The beauty of historical fiction is that it gives the author the ability to weave intimacy and heart into a character in a way that many biographies cannot. Ms. Tripp took an amazing woman and gave her life, gave her soul, gave her a voice. I have always been fascinated with the Kennedy family, and this book painted a vivid picture of a woman who was in many ways the glue in this family. There was so much more to her than what the public saw, or thought they knew. She was intelligent, well-read, thought-provoking; passionate about art and literature; fiercely protective of her family. Her life was a fusion of wealth, privilege, betrayal, grief, passion, duty and honor. I am in awe of how Ms. Trip was able to bring Jackie to life and give her a voice in which to tell her "true" story.

Although this is historic fiction, I find the author's clipped style of writing makes it read more like a history book. Each paragraph seemed to stand on it's own, without connection to the one before or after it. This led to a less than fluid reading experience. Jackie comes across as a cool cucumber, and if that is what she was like, the author certainly captured her character. I wasn't caught up in her romance with Jack, although it seems like there might be more depth to it than is written in this book. I will have to read a biography about Jackie to get a feel for her true character and story.

I've read a fair few books, fiction and non-fiction, about Jackie Kennedy, so I was interested to read Dawn Tripp's new novel. Unsurprisingly most of this deals with Jackie's life with Jack and immediately after, but it does a pretty good job of creating a real woman behind the myth and capturing the different aspects of her personality to make you understand why she made the decisions that she did and how she dealt with being at the centre of one of the most notorious moments in American twentieth century history.

At 496-pages, Jackie is a biographical novel that follows Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis from her days of dating Jack through her cancer diagnosis. The focus of the novel is the woman as a debutante, journalist, wife, mother, and grandmother, including Jack's political life and his affairs. Kudos to author Dawn Tripp for mentioning that on that day in November, 1963, maybe Jackie was the woman who only wanted to get out of the car. Tripp brings alive Jackie's love of poetry and reading throughout the novel, but after the assassinations of Jack and his brother, Bobby, and the arrival of Jackie in Onassis's bedroom, the novel begins to break apart. The story becomes less engaging, possible coinciding with how Jackie's media image went from America's queen to whore. The novel includes sources for additional reading. Jackie is a highly recommended discussion groups mixed with people who experienced the Kennedy era and readers who only learned of Jack and Jackie through school history books

Beautifully written. Well researched. This book is in my top five of the year. The way Tripp brings to life Jackie was more than I expected. I often struggle with historical fiction, but with this one, I simply slipped right into the story and wanted to follow the journey. The strength and joy and sorrow that Tripp is able to evoke in Jackie simply leaps beyond the historical record she so masterfully weaves into the narrative.
If you love historical fiction, stories with strong women, or simply a story of triumph and family, then this one is for you.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this work in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

JACKIE
BY: DAWN TRIPP

I thought long and hard, going back and forth, with my decision of whether or not to request this. I kept saying to myself that I already have read a huge and vast enormously, endless amount of biographies about Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, already. On top of that, I have read numerous biographies about the former President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and most of everything about their son John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Jr. as well. In fact a couple of weeks ago I just read the new release about his wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy called, Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, which I wanted to know more than what I've already read about her quite a few years ago. I live close to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, of which we took our two sons to when they were younger, hoping to inspire in them to want to further their own reading experiences on one of my two favorite Presidents.

The real reason for my considering reading another book about the Kennedy's was because of the Author, Dawn Tripp. I remember discovering her fantastic debut called, Moon Tide back in 2003. After loving her writing style, I remember reading another of her older novel's called, The Season of Open Water. I think that I had bought them in the physical hardcover decades ago already signed by her on one of my weekly visits to the Boston area bookstores. I can't remember attending an Author reading featuring her because I would have definitely remembered her if I met her. I'm sure if I met this terrifically talented author. I would have remembered her for sure, since her writing impressed me so much. I was recommended by a friend to read, Georgia: A Novel of Georgia O'Keeffe, which I have in the physical hardcover somewhere in my vast and endless bookcases in one of our spare rooms unread. After being totally impressed with her latest work of another excellent historical fiction novel called, Jackie, you know the novel that I thought I wouldn't learn anything new?! Wow, all I can say is how wrong I was, and how grateful I am to have had the honor and privilege to be reminded how much of an artistic writer she is which, she infuses that talent into her beautiful prose. I. LOVED. IT!

Dawn Tripp has written a masterpiece that deserves to reach as wide of an audience as possible. I have the great good fortune after I get caught up on my Net Galley ARCS, to get the opportunity to read, Georgia: A Novel of Georgia O'Keeffe. I'm really looking forward to reading that one, making sure it will be my first choice once I get through what I've already committed to. We had an unexpected death that happened to a dear, close family member, which has me behind schedule. Having a multitude of Net Galley ARCS to read feels like mental clutter to me on my to do list. I'm behind the Publication date on this one, which doesn't ever happen to me, since I learned to limit my requests of one or two at a time. On impulse, I over-requested too many, which I attribute to the stress of losing a family member, many of which I don't want. Now that something unexpected came up that took a big toll, I'm in this position of having to get through them first. I went overboard and broke my own self imposed habit this time, and all I can say is any requests I have pending are definitely going to pale in comparison, after reading this powerful and intoxicating historical fiction novel. This one though, I'm so glad I went with my instincts choosing it only because the author is a favorite of mine. I enjoyed it so very much and it surpassed my expectations. I loved reading it, but more accurately feeling the author's many years dedicated to devoting years of her time learning everything she could about her subject and it shows. I could feel her love of her main female protagonist. She has achieved her goals, offering the unique experience of gaining a deeper understanding of whoJackie was.

What makes this historical fiction so rewarding? It's how different and rich of my own reinterpretation of who Jackie really was beyond both the facts and myths. Created by how the world formed their ideas that reflected this icon. The author read many of the same books about Jackie as I did. She spent years sifting through much more than what biographies that exist, but read articles written, and studying photographs of Jackie's early years. Including but not limited to a deep study of the photograph taken of Jackie, with JFK, in 1957, where it all started for her inspiration for writing this exquisite historical novel. Many other photographs of Jackie, Jackie and JFK, and finally Jackie with her children are included giving this an authentic feel. These photographs taken throughout Jackie's life sparked Dawn Tripp's, intellectual insight into new ideas this author's creativity that enhanced the emotional nuances that add depth and new perspectives I hadn't considered but admire.
Fiction based on the historical record which the dialogue written throughout offers the reader's imagination to a medium of the gift of visualization, gained from this author's years of studying her subject. Jackie was a private person, but due to the author's dedication by visiting places the icon we thought we knew, has added multi-faceted layers to her beloved character by visiting during the research the same places that Jackie had traveled to. I applaud this author for her innovative efforts at her approach towards breathing life into her characters at her astute ideas of producing not just a historical novel, but creating an astounding work of art. It really is an achievement to go beyond just
reading everything that she did, but to have been enriched with her desire to present in her writing the powerful effect of recreating the same affect as when one is moved while studying a photo is art. I already said that I know, but it bears repeating since there is so much emotion and heartfelt layers of sentiment written into the characters interactions which are evocative throughout the superb storytelling. By sharing her thoughts in this monumental task gained by exploring the spaces between what took place, versus how Jackie might have experienced what happened, it has resulted in conveying a deeply moving novel. When a writer spends years devoted to immersing herself learning about her subject it is reflected in the lovely writing. Then, after learning everything she could over years in which Dawn Tripp has done here, she expresses her imagination, of her distinct, individual newly reconciled variations beyond the historical facts, which are reflected in the emotional exchanges between the characters. Her efforts at years rendering dimensions of her own construction, that fiction allows are transferred into her writing an unforgettable historical fiction novel. As a reader, I gained new images of entering my understanding that ultimately led to a reshaping of unexpected revelations. It challenged long held beliefs of who I thought Jackie was from anecdotal facts. This intriguing novel has elicited me to have accessed Jackie's life from approaching it holistically anew. Entering her life from both the historical record, along with the juxtaposition of keeping with what I've previously read, adding to it a fresh examination through fiction with an emotional heart of her myriad nuanced life. This author inspired me with a forgotten quote from E. L. Doctorow who once said, "The historian will tell you what happened. The novelist will tell you what it felt like."

I had forgotten how much precision with attention to detail that Dawn Tripp employs when she creates a new work. I'm using the word again, but she can only be summed up as an artist herself. Her prose is hypnotic and I really could tell that she meticulously researched this when I read her thoughts about how she was inspired. She mentioned a portrait of both Jackie and the former President John F. Kennedy in 1957, of the way they were both immersed into one another, they most likely were unaware that they were being photographed. This is written in the first person from Jackie's point of view for the most part. There are smaller italicized chapters interspersed from John F. Kennedy as if the reader is able to read his mind. This format worked perfectly in my humble opinion, which gave me an intimately, up close and personal insight, so I wasn't aware of an experience of merely reading--instead I FELT it throughout the entire narrative. I couldn't have been more wrong with my preconceptions since I was happily able to witness that there was new information that Dawn Tripp managed to uncover, making it a fresh discovery of material that I hadn't already known. This kept me fully immersed and captivated throughout the entirety of this delightful historical novel. I knew it would be incredibly sad as everyone on the planet knows the history that inevitably transpired.

It begins with some of the assassination but only a short amount of it. Then it reverts going back in time into how independent Jackie was with a plethora of interests of her own she was excited to pursue. When they met Jackie knew the rules of engagement with dating of strategically not always being available with the typical reaction he must have been used to getting from most women. Carolyn Bessette was to have shared with her inner circle that same dating techniques with John F. Kennedy, Jr. The sad thing was that Jackie never got introduced to Carolyn Bessette, which really bothered Carolyn. They had that aspect of their personalities in common in how they were passionate enough about living their own lives, and they both let the Kennedy men pursue them. Carolyn was much more intentional about ignoring JFK, Jr. on purpose. For example, she would tell her roommates to tell JFK, Jr., that she wasn't home even when she was, which Jackie didn't do that if I recall. Both father and son got to be the ones who pursued their wives which is how it should be. Carolyn, was hard on JFK, Jr., which she played hard to get, unlike how Jackie was portrayed in this novel except when she went to Europe on advice from family while dating or involved with JFK, for his benefit. He tried to get Jackie to not travel in his efforts to join him, but she took the family member's advice in keeping her plans. It worked to serve both of their best interests in the long run.

I'm not going to say more than mentioning for approximately 62 or 63 percent of the novel is when Jackie and JFK went through meeting one another, dating to getting married, having children, his political career. At the above percentage mark is when they went to Dallas and the assassination takes place. The funeral and the fact that Jackie wanted the same funeral rites such as the horseless rider and for his service to replicate Abraham Lincoln's was something that I thought was a coincidence, since Abraham Lincoln is my only other favorite President, besides JFK. There's a short amount of the novel devoted to her marriage to Aristotle Onassis. She really worked hard to start from the entry level position in learning to be an Editor at Viking, which she had been doing unofficially during her marriage to JFK assisting him with his speeches. Then she went to work for Doubleday. She really loved her children who if I had one quibble it's there was more interaction with her adult daughter, Caroline, than there was the adult JFK, Jr. I would have liked to see an equal amount of time focused on both children when they were adults. There is a mention of her companion, Maurice. This really was executed in a way that offers a fresh outlook making it wholly original new material introduced, that for me at least makes this one of my favorite historical fiction novels out of two favorites. I highly recommend this and am ordering my physical copy for the best shelves that I only collect a select few judiciously. Since I only keep the top best loved physical hardcovers, that I'm going to search for a signed, First Edition, of this speaks to how brilliant and stunning the writing is.

Publication Date: June 18, 2024! Available Now! You will be hard pressed to find more compelling & fascinating storytelling! It's a real page turner and very moving and heartfelt. I've decided while writing this review, that I'm going to buy a Kindle copy of Georgia: A Novel of Georgia O'Keeffe, and start it immediately after posting this review. I can't wait to read it.

Thank you to Net Galley, Dawn Tripp and Random House Publishing Group for generously providing me with my terrific ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#Jackie #DawnTripp #RandomHousePublishingGroup #NetGalley

Mixed reactions... on the plus side, this extensive novel presented an in-depth look at the behind the scenes life of a complex and accomplished woman who made great personal sacrifices to serve this country. Jackie was a fascinating woman and I admire her but this re-telling of her life was not as engaging as I anticipated due, primarily, to the tone and style.

Initially, it was a struggle to continue reading. It was difficult to grasp the genre and I had to keep reminding myself this was historical fiction – not biography or memoir. Was that a good thing or not? The fictionalized portions alternated with lengthy passages filled with facts and history which read like non-fiction. The fictional passages were detailed and revealing to the extent I sometimes questioned their veracity. I defer to others as to the accuracy as I have not read much about the Kennedy family in a long time.

Through the first third, I wasn’t able to connect with the style or tone. There were sections, especially those written from Jack’s perspective, that were particularly jarring. This resulted in a rather uneven pace - early chapters went slowly - drawn out and detailed, the middle flowed with the raw emotions of the events and the final years noticeably were less detailed and compact.

A mixed review based on uneven read.

FYI - I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book and learned a lot along the way. Even though this was a fictional account of Jackie, it was well-researched and reminded me of many of the historical events that happened around Kennedy’s term. It is always better and more interesting to learn history from a novel. Completely worth reading, but don’t get caught up in doubting whether Jackie really thought that, or felt this. It won’t add to your enjoyment. Take it for what it is- at least a somewhat accurate account of a relationship between husband and wife.
Thank you NetGalley for a ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette for the opportunity to read this book. Jackie was a wonderful, eye-opening book. She was truly a woman before her time. It’s a heartbreaking story, especially knowing the historical facts. I really enjoyed this fictional story told from her point of view.

I was in seventh grade when my teacher walked into the classroom and told us that JFK died. My family was glued to the television from the moment I arrived home until after the funeral. I also have a vivid memory of an article about Jackie in Life Magazine during the election campaign. My mom was upset about a picture of Jackie sitting on a couch smoking a cigarette. I really enjoyed the first fifty-sixty percent of this book. I felt the author did an exceptional job making this reader feel what Jackie’s life was like. I laughed, I cried, and I got angry how Jack at times ignored her. I was surprised that there wasn’t really anything about her relationship with Rose. As we got into Jackie’s story with Onassis, I felt the book dragged on quite a bit. I would have liked to know about more of her time with the kids and her professional life in New York. My thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an ARC of this book. the opinions in this review are my own.

Jackie led such a sad and interesting life! Dawn captured so many of her emotions and experiences in this moving story of a person who tried so hard to be private but at the same time was so public!
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read ARC of this book.

"There's nothing more important than books." I say to John one evening after dinner. "When people are reading, they're thinking. That's how change takes place."

Who isn't intrigued by the lives on the Kennedy's? What an incredibly well-research and well-written glimpse into the glamorous and heartbreaking like of Jackie Kennedy. I adored Dawn Tripp's historical fiction novel told from Jackie's perspective; this book kept me turning pages deep into the night. This books gives you a glimpse into Jackie's life before, during, and after the presidency; her life as a wife, first lady, mother, widow, and publisher.

While not literary genius, it was an enjoyable read. Frustrating how some were treated back then and to some extent now. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Dawn Tripp’s novel is a beautifully written revelation into the complex life of Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis. From the foreword, knowing how long and intensively she researched her subject opens the reader to fall under the spell of the words and the woman. I’m hoping and assuming Jackie was as eloquent as Tripp and that she actually channeled a level of cadence and lyricism from the former first lady’s own writings. “Jackie” recounts intimate insights into a familiar story rife with love, resilience, tragedy, and rebirth. The novel doesn’t seem to slide into gossip, but instead, with gentility, it skims over some of Jack Kennedy’s known affairs while acknowledging countless others transpired. The same vague brush paints her complicated relationship with Bobby after her husband’s death. As a historical fiction lover, I appreciate when facts about famous people aren’t bent too far to add to the drama. Jackie’s life provided plenty of conflict without extra embellishment. Tripp’s memorable telling allows us to peek into her world to more fully comprehend the depths and the difficulties she endured. (Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC copy.)

Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC ebook of “Jackie” by Dawn Tripp. Written from the perspective of Jackie herself, this novel takes us from Jacqueline Bouvier’s youth, to meeting and marrying JFK, to the halcyon days of Camelot. We are there in the motorcade, there as Oswald takes aim … and there as America mourns the loss of JFK along with Jackie. We follow her as she marries Onassis and flees America, and accompany her return and her final years as an editor in NY. Much of this is very interesting reading for anyone with an interest in JFK and Jackie; yet is not new material for those acquainted with their history. I would give the book 3 stars and recommend for those with an interest in JFK and Jackie.#NetGalley #Jackie

Jackie by Dawn Tripp is a historical fiction novel based on the extraordinary life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. I like how the author described her vision for the book, “I wanted to explore the space between what took place and what might have”. Not surprisingly, I enjoyed reading about her early life and her complicated marriage to JFK best. It’s clear that she’s independent, smart, loves books, art and travel. “Once upon a time there was a boy who loved heroes and a girl who married him and found herself in a too small box of a housewife life.”

The aftermath of JFK’s assassination felt lengthy. She was widowed at just 34 years old. And then it’s followed by tragedy after tragedy that she and the Kennedy family endured. She seemed to marry the older, wealthy Aristotle Onassis (who dated her sister!) to escape the glare of celebrity and the constant reminder of JFK’s assassination. After he passes, Jackie transitions into an independent, middle aged New Yorker, who adores her children and work as a book editor.

The novel is clearly well researched. At 496 pages the reader is given a lot of detail about each character, an inside look at the rich and powerful Kennedys, incredible name dropping and some conspiracy theories. I’d recommend this to fans of the iconic Jackie O who prefer their historical fiction to be heavier with fiction. 4/5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

JACKIE by Dawn Tripp, an award-winning author, was inspired by the cover photograph. Tripp comments extensively on the photo, saying in part, "The moment was private, a faint tension between them, ... and, also, a vulnerability, a tenderness. I found it a moment of heartbreaking beauty, a leave-taking." This work of fiction provides insight into an historical figure with whom readers remain fascinated. Tripp conducted extensive research and lists numerous books and articles in a Sources section. And she includes numerous details in this almost 500 page novel. One of my favorites is a passing reference to the country music song, "Drop Kick Me, Jesus (Through the Goalposts of Life". I found Tripp's staccato style – short, abrupt sentences – to be rather distancing, but perhaps it was intentional if that is consistent with the manner in which Jackie Kennedy spoke or wrote? Also, there is very little reference to key life events as a mother (e.g., Caroline's wedding, birth of grandchildren); the major focus seems to be on her courtship with JFK, marriage, and subsequent public life. Still, the story has appeal and will hold readers’ attention. JACKIE received a starred review from Library Journal and Booklist ("an authenticity equal to any biography, making it a requisite addition to the Jackie canon"). Interested readers looking for more on the 1960s should also explore the recently published An Unfinished Love Story by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

I was born 6 months after JFK was assassinated so he wasn't someone that I grew up following. But, it was very interesting to read about their life (in a fictional sense). Well-written. I feel like it really captured how Jackie might have felt during her life.

Would have liked to read some note from the author about what things were true.

Jackie, by Dawn Tripp, is a a novel that is so intimate it almost feels like you are reading her autobiography. (and, as the author noted, some quotes were taken directly from Jackie herself) Beautifully written and absolutely fascinating, I feel that I have gained a new understanding and appreciation for this famous, and famously mysterious, woman. I also loved feeling like a fly on the wall for many pivotal moments in US history. Highly recommend!!!

In depth view of Jackie Kennedy, the woman behind the President and the one who kept his family together. She was always such an elegant representation of the women in politics but it was amazing to read into her experience through politics and how she remained gracefully herself