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Once Upon a Time

The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy

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Once Upon a Time

By: Elizabeth Beller
Narrated by: Emily Tremaine
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About this listen

 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. Art & Literature Politicians Politics & Activism Women Marriage Royalty
All stars
Most relevant
Beautifully written book and I was captivated by it
Thank you for showing Carolyn in such beauty

Excellent

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Interesting to find out more about her story. The media can be cruel but sad to know she was so affected by it.

Well written and great narration

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I enjoyed the whole book and it was great to learn more about the fashion icon as a more rounded person.

Her background and career

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This is a much needed new analysis of Carolyn away from the sexist 90’s interpretation of her character and women in the media at the time. The author was respectful in gaining a well researched insight without picking sides, not glossing over any of Carolyn’s human flaws and allowing her to be just that, a human being. Really great job - I was sobbing through the final chapter.

Balanced, respectful & well researched

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An easy listen. Well read by the narrator. The issue I have with this book is the content. I appreciate there has to be a sensitivity when writing about people who tragically died far too early, but the author uses too much caution. The author is too unwilling to look at the actions of Carolyn and her husband through any critical lenses. Instead we get chapter after chapter of stories about either how wonderful she was or how much she hated press attention. It got seriously repetitive. Instead I felt that the author brushed far too much long known and reported turmoil both Carolyn and John experienced under the rug. It felt like a bit of a puff piece rather than a clear and concise biography.

Leaned into a puff piece too much

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