Gill Paul's new novel Jackie and Maria does what I love best about biographical fiction - introduces me to real people who I knew nothing about prior to reading the story. Of course, everyone has heard of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, the upper crust society woman and former First Lady who watched her husband, President JFK, be assassinated right before her very eyes, and sadly lived a life full of tragedy. Many also know of Aristotle Onassis, the Greek shipping magnate and one of the richest men in the world at the time, who married the widowed Jackie Kennedy. But few know of Maria Callas, the mercurial opera singer who carried on an affair with Aristotle - Ari - for nearly 10 years. Jackie and Maria examines both of these prominent women's lives before, during, and after their relationships with Ari Onassis.
Jackie and Maria gives readers a thorough picture of the lives of Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis and Maria Callas, starting in the years before they became entangled in the opulent, glittering world of Ari Onassis (in the case of Jackie, the story starts many years in advance of her meeting Ari, going back to the 50s before JFK was elected President.) Maria, who was more romantically involved with Ari than Jackie could ever hope or want to be, features more prominently in the storyline as it relates to him, demonstrating their passionate love for each other throughout the years, while also showing how Maria had to battle with exes, uncover affair partners of Ari's, and struggle with career woes. Jackie's storyline focuses more on her relationship with Jack Kennedy, and implies how the numerous tragic circumstances of her life eventually led her into the arms of Ari Onassis, who could possibly provide protection for her and her children in the light of so much death and misfortune for the Kennedy family. Jackie and Maria propels readers through history, examining the ways in which Maria and Jackie's lives crossed paths through the years as they orbited Ari Onassis.
Jackie and Maria will most appeal to readers who love being introduced to some of the lesser known people of history (Maria Callas) and how they relate to more prominent figures of their time. Told in alternating chapters narrated by both Maria and Jackie, this story is easy to read and follow, and shines a spotlight on the special difficulties and circumstances women face in their lives and relationships. Paul does a fine job of creating distinctive voices for both Jackie and Maria, making each woman's chapters stand out from the other's and enveloping readers into their private (yet often, public) worlds. This book will make you ponder history, but will also entertain you with its intimate story about two intriguing women of the turbulent 60s.
As with all biographical fiction, you have to take what you read with a grain of salt, and if you care about facts, do your own research to differentiate between what is on the record about a person, what is presumed, and what is made up by the author to add flair to a story. Jackie and Maria is no exception; however, an author taking creative license on a real person's life does not bother me as much as it does some. As so much happens behind closed doors in the life of a famous figure, authors have to use their imagination to put together an engaging story that people will want to read. When reading biographical fiction, I always ask myself, "Do I now know more about this person than I did before I read this novel." With Jackie and Maria, I can vehemently answer that question with, "yes," as this book introduced me to Maria Callas, who was unknown to me before I dived into this story, and has painted a picture of her for me as both an opera singer and lover of Aristotle Onassis.
Availability: Book; Large Print Book; eBook & eAudiobook in cloudLibrary Rating: **** Stars (I really liked it) Reviewer: Brooke, Public Relations Librarian
ARE YOU AND THIS BOOK A GOOD MATCH? DISCOVER MORE WITH NOVELIST APPEALS! Jackie and Maria
GENRE: Biographical Fiction; Historical Fiction; Multiple Perspectives THEME: Rich and Famous (These books are saturated with celebrity culture.); Second Act (Characters in the second halves of their lives seek to find meaning, balance, and acceptance of mortality.)
TONE: Dramatic; Moving
WRITING STYLE: Richly Detailed; Well-Crafted Dialogue; Well-Researched
SUBJECT: Maria Callas; Extramarital Affairs; Life Change Events; Men/Women Relations; Aristotle Socrates Onassis; Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis; Presidents' Spouses; Rich Men; Opera Singers
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