Once Upon a Time (Unabridged)
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4.1 • 75 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
The inspiration for the FX series Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette
A NEW YORK TIMES, LOS ANGELES TIMES, AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER
This “intimate and sympathetic portrait of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy that is as enthralling as she was” (Dana Thomas, New York Times bestselling author) reexamines her life and legacy as never before. Perfect for fans of My Travels with Mrs. Kennedy, What Remains, and Fairy Tale Interrupted.
A quarter of a century after the plane crash that claimed the lives of John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife Carolyn, and her sister Lauren, the magnitude of this tragedy remains fresh. Yet, Carolyn is still an enigmatic figure, a woman whose short life in the spotlight was besieged with misogyny and cruelty.
Amidst today’s cultural reckoning about the way our media treats women, Elizabeth Beller “reveals the true woman behind the mystery, and what a woman she turns out to be: fabulous, fierce, fashionable, flawed…formidable” (J. Randy Taraborrelli, New York Times bestselling author). When she began dating America’s prince, Carolyn was thrust into an overwhelming spotlight filled with cruelly relentless paparazzi who reacted to her reserve with a campaign of harassment and vilification.
To this day, she is still depicted as a privileged princess—icy, vapid, and drug-addicted. She has even been accused of being responsible for their untimely death, allegedly delaying take-off until she finished her pedicure. But now, the truth is finally unveiled.
A fiercely independent woman devoted to her adopted city and career, Carolyn relied on her impeccable eye and drive to fly up the ranks at Calvin Klein in the glossy, high-stakes fashion world of the 1990s. When Carolyn met her future husband, John was immediately drawn to her strong-willed personality, effortless charm, and high intelligence. Their relationship would change her life and catapult her to dizzying fame, but it was her vibrant life before their marriage and then hidden afterwards, that is truly fascinating.
Based on in-depth research and exclusive interviews with friends, family members, teachers, roommates, and colleagues, and featuring never-before-seen family photos, this comprehensive biography reveals a multifaceted woman worthy of our attention regardless of her husband and untimely death.
Customer Reviews
Interesting Perspective
If all facts are impeccably accurate, this is a “must”.
A portrayal of Caroline Bassette
of whom I knew virtually nothing aside from the details about Cumberland Island wedding & the trend-setting wedding gown by Narcisco.
Caroline’s achievements seem infinite. As were her sister Lauren’s. It’s profoundly regrettable their lives were shortened, that we’ll never know the full potential of two remarkable young women.
Both achieved far more in their short ~3-decades than vast majority (esp 2026’s generation of 20-32 year olds) of the population.
Pray their mother Ann & stepfather will find “comfort” (altho that IS impossible after death of a child) knowing this audiobook reveals how she set both daughters’ trajectories with what I presume were motivation to excel, empathize, & work hard.
The narration & last track with music are a lovely closure.
BASED ON PRICE FOR THIS AUDIOBOOK, I WOULD AWARD 5-stars IF COMPANION PDF WITH PHOTOS DESCRIBED WERE INCLUDED.
Nevertheless, I listened to the entire audiobook over 48-hours. That’s extremely rare but “speaks to” why this audiobook is a “must”.
Be careful what you wish for
Shallow people living shallow lives. Another Kennedy taking down another woman.