BKMT READING GUIDES
Jackie's Greece: A Novel (The Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis Collection)
by Mercedes King
Paperback : 306 pages
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Jack's assassination left her devastated and heartbroken. In the aftermath, she plunges into depression with alcohol as her primary companion. Through months of missteps ...
Introduction
She longed for her fallen husband and security...but never could have imagined the course of her dramatic rescue.
Jack's assassination left her devastated and heartbroken. In the aftermath, she plunges into depression with alcohol as her primary companion. Through months of missteps and mistakes, Jackie begins to rediscover her will to go on. To focus on raising her children well and becoming the caretaker of Jack's legacy. She finds respite from her grief in the arms of her brother-in-law, Bobby, knowing from the start their affair can't last. Even so, the sexual connection sparks hope within that she might be able to love again. Or at least to remarry.
Jackie’s finances, limited and controlled, make her need for a new husband more paramount than she wanted. However, when she considers that marrying again means escaping the political burdens and demands from the Kennedys, the appeal of a fresh start grows. Several men contend for her heart, but the one she is most drawn to is the man her sister has been having an affair with the last few years, Aristotle Onassis. His staggering wealth and piratical reputation excite her. As their acquaintance deepens, Jackie is bombarded with conflict. Can she truly fall for a man her sister has loved? Is she able to overcome the vitriol of disapproval sparked by her potential union with Ari? And if she becomes Ari's wife, will it mean sacrificing her relationship with Lee?
Editorial Review
No Editorial Review Currently AvailableExcerpt
Jackie’s GreeceCHAPTER ONE
December 1963
Jackie sat among the moving boxes in the West Wing residence of the White House, a smoldering cigarette between her fingers and exhaustion saturating her to the bone. Much like the black crepe that had draped the grand mansion interiors when Jack’s casket had lain in state. President and Ladybird Johnson had assured her there was no rush, that she and the children could take their time moving out. But it was too painful for Jackie to linger in the last place she and Jack called home. ... view entire excerpt...
Discussion Questions
1. Jackie solidified her role in history with the planning and execution of JFK’s funeral. In the immediate, confusing aftermath of a national tragedy, she is credited with helping the country heal, thanks in large part to the poise and courage she displayed during those four days after the assassination. Discuss any memories or impressions you have of that time period, either personal or related by family and others.2. Privately, she struggled desperately with depression, drinking too much alcohol, and being around the children. In your opinion, is it possible her relationship with Bobby helped her mend and recover? Or do you believe other factors played a part and she was never intimate with Bobby?
3. Do you think Jackie and Ari made an odd couple or were they suited for each other?
4. For most women, Jackie broke ‘girl code’. Is there a scenario where you could imagine dating and marrying a man your sister or best friend was with?
5. By all accounts, Jackie’s marriage to Ari deteriorated and they began living separate lives. Even so, Jackie did not file for divorce. How do you account for her decision to remain in a difficult relationship?
6. Disapproval reigned when it came to Jackie marrying Ari. What compromises would you make, if any, to marry the world’s richest man?
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