Jackie & Me

The Kennedy's, especially JFK, do not come off too well in this reimagining of the courtship of Jack and Jackie. It is a story of friendship, between Lem Billings, JFK's gay best friend from prep school and Jackie. According to the story, Lem is supposed to break it to Jackie about Jack's dalliances and how they will continue after marriage, but he can't bring himself to do this, because he fears losing her friendship, and ultimately, JFK's. It's a sad story, for Lem, who seems to love JFK above all others, and who, in his old age, is abandoned by the Kennedy tribe. It's a well done story, but I thought it could have been edited down a bit.

A charming reflection on young Jackie and Jack from the point of view of the best friend, Lem, who devoted his life to understanding the Kennedys.

Lem became Jack's best friend in college and soon began summering with the Kennedys. When Jack asks him to help entertain the young Jackie during his busy senate career, Lem is not sure how serious Jack is about her. But he soon falls under the spell of a young Jackie O, albeit more in a chaste way, as the book strongly hints that Lem is gay. This Jackie still has a multitude of ways her life could have turned out, as she works hard as a newspaper columnist and enjoys all the art and fashion New York has to offer a girl of her station. As time goes on, it seems like Jackie is auditioning for show more the Kennedys, not the absent Jack. The more Jack ignores her, the more Jackie seems to look for any tiny scrap of meaning in their few interactions. One knows what Jack sees in Jackie: a beautiful woman of a certain social standing who's ready to stand in the background at political gatherings. In fact, at one point, young Jackie goes to the newspaper archives and pulls all the pictures of political wives from the past two years, studying their facial expressions, stance, and above all, their clothes. But it's less clear what Jackie sees in Jack.

This book reveals all the flaws of Jack and Jackie and their upbringing without judging them for any of them. It also shows how Lem, absent any family or romantic partners of his own, clings to the Kennedys, finding ways to become indispensable to each new generation. Lem reflects back on his love for both and how it lost him the place of intimate confidant for both as Jackie and Jack's interests eventually no longer align.

For anyone who's ever been fascinated by portraits of Jackie and tales of Camelot, this book explores the creation of a power couple and all the complications that ensue.

Thank you to the publisher for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. show less

Jacqueline Bouvier meets Jack Kennedy at a party and is drawn into his world. As she contemplates what life would be like with him, she develops a deep friendship with Lem Billings, Jack’s best friend.

I enjoyed how the historical fiction of JACKIE & ME was narrated by Lem looking back several decades to tell the story of Jackie’s relationship with Jack, his own relationship with Jackie, and his relationship with Jack. I don’t recall hearing of Lem Billings prior to reading this book. Admittedly, I don’t know much detail about the Kennedys to begin with. In that respect, I enjoyed getting a glimpse into some aspects of Jackie and Jack’s lives. What fell flat for me with this book though was how it felt shallow overall and show more seemed like there were opportunities for more depth within the characters that weren’t taken. It started to feel repetitive after a while.

JACKIE & ME was not a favorite historical fiction book for me. Others who are fans of the genre may enjoy it more.

Thank you to Algonquin Books for the giveaway copy. show less

Jacqueline Bouvier was a very young woman when she met for the first time the charming Congressman Jack Kennedy and his best friend Lem Billings. As a cold and distant love relationship is building with the first, warm and friendly exchanges are frequent with the second. Lem becomes the best friend, the confidant of Jackie and it is through his eyes that Louis Bayard chose to tell the story of Jackie, a strong and independent woman, far before she becomes First Lady.

From Jackie’s Vogue years up to her entry into the Kennedy Clan, this historical fiction shares intimate moments, sometimes funny and sweet, sometimes heartbreaking. Louis Bayard’s writing style is simple and unique, immersing the reader in the heart of the plot.

Even if show more I found certain parts of the book quite slow, I think that Jackie and Me was overall an enjoyable read. show less