Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was undoubtedly one of the most iconic and talked about women of the 20th century, eclipsed only by Princess Diana in a later, more media-savvy, age. An entire library could be filled with the books, journals, and articles that have been written about Jackie as First Lady, as a widow and mother, as Mrs Kennedy Onassis, and as an independent woman.
This book takes a rather different approach to revealing her thoughts and feelings, her inspirations and insecurities. It is, as the author states loud and clear, a novel and not a biography. This device allows Dawn Tripp the artistic licence to go beyond the facts and explore Jackie’s imagined inner life. That said, the book is based on such rigorous and extensive research that it’s easy to forget this is Tripp speaking; it feels at every page like Jackie herself is whispering in your ear.
At some 470 pages, her life is covered in intimate detail. Along the way, a few key moments are also told from Jack Kennedy’s perspective, and the clashing view-points help to show that there is never just one version of history. Of course, the Jack and Jackie story takes centre-stage here, and the events of November 22, 1963, are told in heart-breaking detail. The legacy that JFK left after just 2 years, 10 months and 3 days as President of the United States is immense and to read it unveiling is fascinating.
Dawn Tripp is an experienced author of poetry, essays, novels, and biographies. She has a gentle turn of phrase that is indeed poetic, even when describing the harsh realities of life. Tripp/Jackie describes the young Jack Kennedy as “six feet of casual stardust” whose “golden swagger could bend a room”. A little later, Jack describes Jackie’s insouciant seductiveness as being “like a cat on a leash”. And whilst the book’s focus is on the Jack and Jackie story, it does cover her whole life, from her upbringing to her marriage to Ari and her career in publishing.
I am a Kennedy fan and have read many, many of those books about Jack and Jackie. Such is my passion for the Kennedys that I even placed a few bids at the 1996 Kennedy estate auction at Sotheby’s in New York. My bids were unsuccessful given that everything sold for ten times – and more – the estimate price. Jackie’s 40-carat engagement ring from Aristotle Onassis sold for $26m (USD); sales of the auction catalogue alone raised $2.5m (USD) which the family donated to charity. My Sotheby’s auction card remains one of my most treasured (and framed) possessions.
Given my long-standing interest in the Kennedys, I was intrigued to read this novelised account of Jackie’s life. And I admit that I was prepared to dislike it; in fact, I absolutely lovedit. Tripp’s restrained and elegant prose is a delight. On p341 she says “Life, when it happens, is more full of silence than words”; similarly on p227 “in the white space, the margins and the gaps, that’s where life dwells”. Just beautiful! Even the background to the beautiful cover photograph is described in intimate detail.
Dawn Tripp has crafted an eloquent and elegant account of woman who was so well-known but also intensely private. This is a wonderful and worthy addition to the Kennedy canon.
JACKIE : A NOVEL by Dawn Tripp. Published by Hachette Australia. ISBN 9780733652387, RRP $32.99
Review by Dr Diana Carroll
