Jackie Stories 7-8

7 An Expert from the Ballet World & 8 A Harvard Professor's Wife (Eight Friends of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis)

By: William Kuhn

Narrated by: Pamela Dillman

These last two stories in the series are about Jackie's relationship with two rare people. One took me to his club, where Jackie and Brooke Astor were among the first female members. The other told me about accompanying Jackie to India, where together with her husband they travelled as a threesome.

7 - Jackie consulted Francis Mason when she wanted to change jobs after her unhappy time at Viking. He made an effort to take her to visit art publishers where he knew she'd be happy. Then she rejected his advice. Did he bear a grudge? The story of why he didn't is what makes him a fascinating man.

8 - Edith Welch gave me a behind-the-scenes account of traveling with Jackie on Indian adventures. She also wanted to talk to me about high-class prostitutes who may be admired but never possessed.

These are two short nonfiction accounts of interviews I did with longterm friends of Jackie's. I went away more impressed with these members of Jackie's circle than I'd expected. Each of them was skilled at weaving me into the conversation before I knew what was happening.

©2021 William Kuhn (P)2022 William Kuhn

A Fascinating Story Indeed

Jackie Stories continues with stories 7-8, An Expert in the Ballet World and A Harvard Professor’s Wife, both quick and intriguing. I like how you can listen to the entire audiobook in one sitting, but I do wish the stories were a tad longer. Learning more about Jackie is always fascinating to me and I feel like these stories just skim the surface when I am craving a deeper dive. I know these audiobooks are to point you to the author’s main text, Reading Jackie, but I do wish there was more here.

From learning about Jackie being approachable, which goes against what many have always presumed, to her relaxed way of traveling India with an expert in Indian art and artifacts when you would assume she would be her more couture, regal self is refreshing to hear. It’s these little known facts from those that knew her best that make these audiobooks worth a listen.

Adding to the tone of the two stories was the narrator’s always soothing voice and perfect cadence. It still throws me that the narrator is female and the author is male, (for some reason this bothers me) but this is just a personal preference, and I still enjoyed the listen nonetheless.  I am currently listening to another Jackie Stories as I write this, and I can honestly say that I am enjoying this series so far. It does lend to a deeper understanding of Jackie, while also shining a light on those that shared her life with her. A truly fascinating journey indeed.