Rating: ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Obtained from: Personal Kindle Library
Read: May 15, 2013
This is the story of Kathleen Kennedy and her struggle to live her own life her own way, in spite of enormous pressures from her parents and the rest of the clan. She first went to England in 1938 when her father, Joseph P. Kennedy, became the Ambassador to the Court of St. James. She made her debut that year and was selected as the most popular debutante of the season. Her story falls into two parts: her forbidden marriage to the Marquis of Hartington, son of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire; and her fatal affair with Earl Peter Fitzwilliam, one of the wealthiest men in Britain, who was already married to the heiress of the Guiness Fortune. Through World War II, and a few of the post-war years, we watch the tragedy unfold.
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In an ideal world, book reviewers would attempt to say something nice about every book they review, but I find the most positive thing I can say about Robert DeMaria's That Kennedy Girl is that the author made an excellent choice of subject matter.
As to DeMaria's work, am I bitter that I wasted my time on such a poorly written piece? Am I upset at the paper thin characterizations? Am I annoyed at the incohesive construction? Am I dismayed by the continued references to Kathleen's time in England before the war and the complete lack of information DeMaria actually gives the reader about that part of her life? Am I concerned that the book, on more than occasion, drifted to the carnal exploits of Joe Jr. and Jack rather than staying focused on Kathleen? Yes. Yes I am.
Okay, not my best commentary, but reflecting on this piece is truly upsetting and though I've given honest effort to penning something that better illustrates my experience I find I cannot subject myself to this torture a moment longer. Suffice it to say as both a reader and someone with a genuine interest in Kick, I was brutally disappointed by this book.
Obviously not something I can bring myself to recommend, but if your curiosity must be satisfied, I would strongly suggest requesting from your local library.
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The Kennedys, of course, were not ordinary. It seemed to Kathleen that she knew this from birth. And that she was reminded of this fact every single day of her life either by her parents or by the echo of their voices, an echo that said that the Kennedys were born to win.
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3 comments:
That sucks. I, too, have been seeking a good historical novel about her. I have one on my wishlist called O, Jackie that sounds promising. Just haven't obtained it.
There is a nonfiction bio on Kick and she apparently makes a significant appearance in Black Diamonds but other that there isn't much about her on the market.
It's a time waster, muddling through it
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