From the bestselling author of The Lost Vintage, a portrait of Jacqueline Bouvier's college year abroad in postwar Paris before the world knew her as Jackie.
Mah’s exemplary mix of literary and journalistic skills pays off in this extensively researched novel about the woman who became America’s most iconic and enigmatic first lady.
Mah entrances with her descriptions of France, its food, and its scenery. Jacqueline’s awakening and understanding of the political world around her adds depth to this novel, taking it beyond the romance between Jacqueline and Marquand. The novel is also rich with historic detail, but the author does conflate several living people into composite characters; she notes where this was done ... Readers, especially those fascinated by all things Kennedy, will enjoy.
... delightful and surprisingly insightful ... Making good use of historical and biographical details, but not strictly bound by them, Mah follows her heroine from the ocean-liner journey ... Mah convincingly depicts this year as a pivotal one in Bouvier's life, both a sentimental and a political education ... Mah, who clearly loves Paris and all the details of French living, affectionately and precisely captures life in the post–World War II city, with many deprivations but a spirit of hope. Her Jacqueline—bright, observant, and a little naïve—is an engaging and believable character, and it's easy to imagine how her experiences during this year will shape her future life. While Jackie runs into people the reader will recognize, Mah doesn't overstate their importance in her life ... Staying within the consciousness of Jacqueline as she is at this point, Mah smoothly walks the line between biography and fiction ... Fans of the former first lady and Paris should be beguiled.
