Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy Hardcover – 4 July 2024

Yes this book comes with the wrong pictures (something about space) but the book itself is actually really good and informative. Defo worth a read!

The biography arrived today and seems fine - save for the photographs. In fact, I reported another reviewer in the hope that I'd get a chance to actually add to/agree with what they said - mentioning that I too, had received the photographs of a lot of planets in my copy - which, although beautiful - as I think we're all agreed - have nothing whatsoever to do with Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. I should think someone is going to be in an almighty load of trouble for that. BTW Amazon, I am not in any way complaining about the reviewer I "reported" - by choosing "other" I'd hoped to find a box like this into which I mention that I'd had the same issue with my copy as they had.

Book very well written, gives a personal insight into Caroline's life before and during her time with JFK.Very sad, but a great read

I've just started to read this after purchasing when it came out. I'm really enjoying the book so far, but just turned to the photo section to find it full of pictures of space. Clearly the wrong image plates have been printed in the book. Really disappointed. Surely the publisher can do better than this?

Really enjoyed reading this book.Very informative about Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and did a great job of highlighting her internal and external beauty.Reading it will only enrich your life X

I bought the paperback version in the UK and to reassure people it has the correct pictures not the pictures of space. The pictures aren’t really unseen so you’re not missing much.There’s nothing hugely new here and it does read like a bit of a gloss on CBK and paints an overall flattering and sympathetic picture.It doesn’t really address the rumours about her drug habit - who knows if it was rumour or truth but there seems to be a bit of unwillingness for the darker less flattering parts to be explored. It’s not all great as it does mention when younger CBK had a habit of flirting with friends’ boyfriends but the author often provides excuses or justifications for the less flattering parts of her behaviour.Another example is the contrasting narrative of her ignoring JFK jr post their first breakup (presented as a sort of strong independent woman not beholden to any man) but then later when they get back together it’s mentioned it’s clear he’s still seeing other women and not exclusive with her. No person is any one thing and things shift over time but it’s clear there’s a particular narrative this book wants to portray CBK as beautiful, mysterious, clever, passionate and doesn’t really want to explore her in all dimensions.Not a huge amount of new content and nothing really shattering. It’s all quite light and glossy like a magazine or vanity fair article.I like CBK as a fashion icon but as a person I’m less sure.

Really enjoyed this book. Sad how it was for her to go through all the media spite. Sad how she died but shows she good and bad points like we all do. Very good book

Such a shame. It’s a treat to purchase a hard back book and I was so looking forward to this book about Carolyn Besette-Kennedy. The photos in the centre of the book are all of images of the earth from space. Obviously an error. Which is why I have returned.