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Jackie's Girl: My Life with the Kennedy Family
New York Times Bestseller “McKeon's delightful memories have been tucked away for fifty years, and thankfully, she has brought them out to share the enchanting magic of Camelot with us all.” —Kirkus Reviews “Celebrity watchers who covet an insider’s role will find McKeon’s frank yet benevolent memoir to be both a sobering reality check and an engaging foray into the ever-fascinating world of the Kennedy dynasty.” —Booklist An endearing coming-of-age memoir by a young woman who spent thirteen years as Jackie Kennedy’s personal assistant and occasional nanny—and the lessons about life and love she learned from the glamorous first lady.In 1964, Kathy McKeon was just nineteen and newly arrived from Ireland when she was hired as the personal assistant to former first lady Jackie Kennedy. The next thirteen years of her life were spent in Jackie’s service, during which Kathy not only played a crucial role in raising young Caroline and John Jr., but also had a front-row seat to some of the twentieth century’s most significant events. Because Kathy was always at Jackie’s side, Rose Kennedy deemed her “Jackie’s girl.” And although Kathy called Jackie “Madam,” she considered her employer more like a big sister who, in many ways, mentored her on how to be a lady. Kathy was there during Jackie and Aristotle Onassis’s courtship and marriage and Robert Kennedy’s assassination, dutifully supporting Jackie and the children during these tumultuous times in history. A rare and engrossing look at the private life of one of the most famous women of the twentieth century, Jackie’s Girl is also a moving personal story of a young woman finding her identity and footing in a new country, along with the help of the most elegant woman in America.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2017
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May 28, 2017
Jackie’s Girl by Kathy McKeon is a 2017 Gallery Books publication.
Where were you when it happened?
This question lingered for five years, then ten, then fifty…
This is a memoir, so up front you should know this book is about Kathy McKeon’s life first and foremost, and what an interesting life it has been.
I usually approach books like this one with extreme caution. A famous person's name attached to a personal memoir could be nothing more than a way to quickly cash in, and those sorts of books are often shallow and poorly written.
However, I had a good feeling about this one, and of course, like many other people out there I loved and admired Jackie Kennedy, and was pulled in by the opportunity to witness a side of her few were privy to.
Kathy immigrated to the United States from Ireland and while still a very young woman, landed a job working for the former first lady of the United States.
I really enjoyed this insider look at Jackie's life behind closed doors, which only solidified her image of grace and dignity, but also shows her remarkable kindness and patience.
Kathy has a very funny, upbeat, and personable voice, often filled with wry wit and humor. Her personal life outside of work is detailed along with her working relationship with other members of Jackie’s staff, and Jackie’s children, with whom she kept a long running relationship.
There are hilarious anecdotes, poignant moments of tragedy, all told with heartfelt honesty. Kathy regales us with stories from her childhood, her adjustment to a new country, a few rare moments of rebelliousness and minor rule breaking, and how she juggled a home life with her very demanding occupation.
There is a tiny ‘upstairs/downstairs’ atmosphere present, but the lines are often blurred. I picked up on a real and honest admiration that Kathy had for Jackie and think Jackie felt the same way about Kathy. The pair had a bond that went beyond employer and employee that was truly special.
It was no wonder that friends and relatives of Jackie referred to her as ‘Jackie’s Girl”.
Kathy’s job was demanding and on occasion she complained or mentioned a few moments of personal sacrifice she had to endure because her duties to Jackie took precedence.
Just reading over the vast history Kathy witnessed up close and personal is fascinating, to see first hand the reactions and emotions to these events as experienced by the Kennedy family is enlightening.
Kathy lived through some amazing times, met some of the most powerful, wealthy, and influential people in the country, as well a few celebrities. She traveled, and experienced life from an incredible viewpoint.
But, what sticks out most in my mind were the light hearted moments where Kathy brings Jackie to life again and paints her in a whole new light. I wish I could have seen Jackie laughing out loud, letting her hair down, and enjoying a few moments of genuine pleasure, and I think Kathy played a big role in that.
By the same token, Jackie took Kathy under her wing, smoothing out her rougher edges, sharing and passing on her polish and grace to Kathy, who blossomed and matured into an incredibly loyal companion, confidante and close personal friend of the Kennedy family.
This is a very unique and interesting memoir, told with class, tinged with both sadness and humor, but mostly it’s wrapped in warm heartfelt memories.
Where were you when it happened?
This question lingered for five years, then ten, then fifty…
This is a memoir, so up front you should know this book is about Kathy McKeon’s life first and foremost, and what an interesting life it has been.
I usually approach books like this one with extreme caution. A famous person's name attached to a personal memoir could be nothing more than a way to quickly cash in, and those sorts of books are often shallow and poorly written.
However, I had a good feeling about this one, and of course, like many other people out there I loved and admired Jackie Kennedy, and was pulled in by the opportunity to witness a side of her few were privy to.
Kathy immigrated to the United States from Ireland and while still a very young woman, landed a job working for the former first lady of the United States.
I really enjoyed this insider look at Jackie's life behind closed doors, which only solidified her image of grace and dignity, but also shows her remarkable kindness and patience.
Kathy has a very funny, upbeat, and personable voice, often filled with wry wit and humor. Her personal life outside of work is detailed along with her working relationship with other members of Jackie’s staff, and Jackie’s children, with whom she kept a long running relationship.
There are hilarious anecdotes, poignant moments of tragedy, all told with heartfelt honesty. Kathy regales us with stories from her childhood, her adjustment to a new country, a few rare moments of rebelliousness and minor rule breaking, and how she juggled a home life with her very demanding occupation.
There is a tiny ‘upstairs/downstairs’ atmosphere present, but the lines are often blurred. I picked up on a real and honest admiration that Kathy had for Jackie and think Jackie felt the same way about Kathy. The pair had a bond that went beyond employer and employee that was truly special.
It was no wonder that friends and relatives of Jackie referred to her as ‘Jackie’s Girl”.
Kathy’s job was demanding and on occasion she complained or mentioned a few moments of personal sacrifice she had to endure because her duties to Jackie took precedence.
Just reading over the vast history Kathy witnessed up close and personal is fascinating, to see first hand the reactions and emotions to these events as experienced by the Kennedy family is enlightening.
Kathy lived through some amazing times, met some of the most powerful, wealthy, and influential people in the country, as well a few celebrities. She traveled, and experienced life from an incredible viewpoint.
But, what sticks out most in my mind were the light hearted moments where Kathy brings Jackie to life again and paints her in a whole new light. I wish I could have seen Jackie laughing out loud, letting her hair down, and enjoying a few moments of genuine pleasure, and I think Kathy played a big role in that.
By the same token, Jackie took Kathy under her wing, smoothing out her rougher edges, sharing and passing on her polish and grace to Kathy, who blossomed and matured into an incredibly loyal companion, confidante and close personal friend of the Kennedy family.
This is a very unique and interesting memoir, told with class, tinged with both sadness and humor, but mostly it’s wrapped in warm heartfelt memories.
August 4, 2017
I'm going to start with a disclaimer: This book is not about Jackie Kennedy. She is just a featured player.
I wasn't sure if I would like Jackie's Girl, I knew going in that this was not a Kennedy-centric book. Jackie's Girl is more of a coming of age story about a young Irish immigrant. Find herself in 1960's New York. Kathy grew up in a tiny very rural Irish town that barely had running water. She and her sister moved to New York in 1964 shortly after the assassination of President Kennedy and soon found work as domestics(house keepers,cooks, nannies, ...) Kathy soon hits the jackpot and is hired to with as Jackie Kennedy's personal assistant.
During her 13 years of service with Mrs. Kennedy ( later Mrs. Onassis) she is exposed to a life of great wealth and important people. She also gets a front row seat to history witness the aftermath of the assassination of Robert Kennedy, Chappaquiddick, the marriages of Caroline and John Jr, the death of Jackie and the tragic death of John Jr.
I ended up liking it more than I thought I would but I didn't love it. I actually ended up wanting to know more about Kathy. She didn't spend a lot of time talking about her life post-Jackie. I wanted to know more about Kathy's marriage, her kids, and grandkids. All and all I liked it and would recommend it.
I wasn't sure if I would like Jackie's Girl, I knew going in that this was not a Kennedy-centric book. Jackie's Girl is more of a coming of age story about a young Irish immigrant. Find herself in 1960's New York. Kathy grew up in a tiny very rural Irish town that barely had running water. She and her sister moved to New York in 1964 shortly after the assassination of President Kennedy and soon found work as domestics(house keepers,cooks, nannies, ...) Kathy soon hits the jackpot and is hired to with as Jackie Kennedy's personal assistant.
During her 13 years of service with Mrs. Kennedy ( later Mrs. Onassis) she is exposed to a life of great wealth and important people. She also gets a front row seat to history witness the aftermath of the assassination of Robert Kennedy, Chappaquiddick, the marriages of Caroline and John Jr, the death of Jackie and the tragic death of John Jr.
I ended up liking it more than I thought I would but I didn't love it. I actually ended up wanting to know more about Kathy. She didn't spend a lot of time talking about her life post-Jackie. I wanted to know more about Kathy's marriage, her kids, and grandkids. All and all I liked it and would recommend it.
May 26, 2017
With unreserved honesty, Kathy McKeon’s memoir recounts her hardscrabble life on a remote farm in Ireland as the middle child in a family of eight children. The family lived in a three room house with no running water or electricity. Despite their meager existence, they were a close knit and loving family. However, when an opportunity to go to New York to find employment was offered, Kathy and her older sister decided to take a chance.
Through a series of lucky breaks, Kathy, at the age of nineteen in 1964, landed a job as personal assistant and sometime nanny for Jacqueline Kennedy and her children. Kathy provides the reader with a glimpse of everyday life in the Kennedy household. The challenges of being a live-in employee while trying to maintain a separate personal life were often difficult. Away from the spotlight and public eye, we see the ups and downs in the household relationships. We also see a very personal side of Jacqueline, John Jr., and Caroline Kennedy.
Throughout the years, Kathy became close to Mrs. Kennedy, and their friendship continued long after Kathy’s marriage. Kathy viewed Jacqueline as a mentor and example of ladylike grace. Her intimate relationship with the Kennedy’s also provided Kathy an opportunity to witness some of the most notable events in history.
Jackie’s Girl is a fascinating and poignant account of a young woman’s coming of age, and a remarkable, unlikely friendship that will appeal to anyone interested in Kennedy family history.
Through a series of lucky breaks, Kathy, at the age of nineteen in 1964, landed a job as personal assistant and sometime nanny for Jacqueline Kennedy and her children. Kathy provides the reader with a glimpse of everyday life in the Kennedy household. The challenges of being a live-in employee while trying to maintain a separate personal life were often difficult. Away from the spotlight and public eye, we see the ups and downs in the household relationships. We also see a very personal side of Jacqueline, John Jr., and Caroline Kennedy.
Throughout the years, Kathy became close to Mrs. Kennedy, and their friendship continued long after Kathy’s marriage. Kathy viewed Jacqueline as a mentor and example of ladylike grace. Her intimate relationship with the Kennedy’s also provided Kathy an opportunity to witness some of the most notable events in history.
Jackie’s Girl is a fascinating and poignant account of a young woman’s coming of age, and a remarkable, unlikely friendship that will appeal to anyone interested in Kennedy family history.
January 25, 2018
I felt a little uncomfortable at first reading this book. It seems disloyal for an ex-employee to write about the family they worked for. But, I'm very Irish, and I kept checking it in at the library I work for. I loved the book, and I didn't want it to end! The Kennedy family was such a big part of her life, and so many are gone now. I didn't feel that the book disrespected the family, maybe Caroline would feel differently. It was a great coming of age story. I was reminded of how many young Irish girls came over to this country to work as servants. It couldn't have been easy for some of these poor souls. I felt that Jackie Kennedy was good to work for, and she had a lot of affection for the family. I'm glad to see that Kathy has had a pretty good life. By the end of the book, I felt like I had made a new friend.
June 22, 2017
If you read the People magazine article on this, you pretty much read the few juicy details included in this book. I was a little taken aback by how the author seemed to put down and complain about her fellow employees all while attempting to show how much better she was. I was also surprised about how large the print was in this book. It seems to me that they increased it so that the book would appear longer.
May 5, 2018
This is an enjoyable memoir about a young woman who arrived from Ireland with no job prospects and becomes the personal assistant to Jacqueline Kennedy. She relates what her life had been like before she came to America, and how it changed for the better once she was hired by Mrs. Kennedy. The reader gets to see a relaxed, humorous, sometimes unsure, always very generous side of Jackie Kennedy. She and Kathy McKeon came to care about each other very much, yet retained the employer/employee relationship, which could get difficult at times with Mrs. Kennedy’s constant requests on Kathy’s time. But they always worked it out with affection.
But this is not a book about Jackie Kennedy Onassis, but Kathy McKeon, and her story is fascinating in its own right. But if you are a fan of Jackie O, you will enjoy this book. For a first time author, she’s done a great job, telling her story in an interesting way without betraying any confidences of the Kennedy family.
If you like these kind of books and are interested in the Kennedy family, this is a definite recommend.
But this is not a book about Jackie Kennedy Onassis, but Kathy McKeon, and her story is fascinating in its own right. But if you are a fan of Jackie O, you will enjoy this book. For a first time author, she’s done a great job, telling her story in an interesting way without betraying any confidences of the Kennedy family.
If you like these kind of books and are interested in the Kennedy family, this is a definite recommend.
February 18, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir that carefully traced Kathy McKeon’s family life in Ireland, her emigration to the US and her life in New York. Rich in tales of her learning to be independent in NYC after leaving a rural farm life. She and Jackie enjoyed a very unique relationship that grew stronger over decades through so many shared experiences.
July 24, 2017
I'm not much of a fan of memoirs, but I found this charming account of a young Irish girl's Cinderella-style rise to be Jackie Kennedy's personal assistant to be delightful. She recounts her years growing up in a terrifyingly impoverished Irish household and being sent to America with her sister to find work in NYC in the 1960s. She got the interview for this position through a friend of a cousin but was given the job without an interview after Jackie watched her (unawares) interacting with young John. Not a tell-all nor a white-wash job, this is an honest account of those years and of Jackie's kindness, loyalty, and generosity toward her staff but also her frequent demands (posed as requests but ones hard to refuse). Told with humor and candor this intimate coming-of-age memoir reveals personal and family details while protecting the Kennedy family's privacy. Mckeon remained close to John over the years, and she was particularly hard hit by his death. For fans of Kennedy lore and those who appreciate true stories along the lines of Toibin's Brooklyn.
August 17, 2024
This was the perfect book to read right after Mrs. Kennedy and Me as it picks up in 1964 right after JFK had died. So many interesting stories and a lot of hilarious ones too. It’s all about Jackie’s personal assistant and how she came to America from Ireland and lived her life as”one of the family.”
Published in 2017, I read this in 2018.
She gained 40lbs after coming to America and eating our food. 😬 Jackie helped her lose it all.
She discovered a pretty polka dot package of food that she ate every night- you’ll have to read the book to find out what it was!😆
She had to iron Jackie’s sheets and pajamas/nightgowns. Imagine!
She struggled in the separation from the family when she wanted to start her own life/family. The Kennedys had become attached and dependent upon her.
Fascinating memoir! 4.5 🌟 overall
Published in 2017, I read this in 2018.
She gained 40lbs after coming to America and eating our food. 😬 Jackie helped her lose it all.
She discovered a pretty polka dot package of food that she ate every night- you’ll have to read the book to find out what it was!😆
She had to iron Jackie’s sheets and pajamas/nightgowns. Imagine!
She struggled in the separation from the family when she wanted to start her own life/family. The Kennedys had become attached and dependent upon her.
Fascinating memoir! 4.5 🌟 overall
August 22, 2017
Imagine you're 19 years old and a poor Irish immigrant girl, who goes on a job interview at a big Fifth Avenue apartment. Imagine you're hired on the spot by a young glamorous widow with two small children to be her personal assistant and occasional nanny. Now imagine your new boss is Jackie Kennedy. That's exactly what happened to Kathy in this engaging story. Her memoir offers a rare insight into the Kennedy family and into the immigrant experience. Kathy grew very close to the family and felt Jackie was like an older sister in some ways and she was certainly a mentor to her. They stayed in touch long after she left service. What great memories Kathy has of Camelot. What a touching story.
May 18, 2017
Perfect for someone like me who is obsessed with Jackie and family and who is extremely curious about their lives. I will never tire of reading about this fascinating family. I also enjoyed learning about "Jackie's Girl", Kathy McKeon, her native Ireland, her family, and her continued relationship with the Kennedys. I think this is the first book that really showed how generous Jackie really was.
June 8, 2017
Loved this book! A very interesting perspective of the private side of Jackie. Made me appreciate her even more!
June 23, 2017
Received through FirstReads...
This was a pleasure to read from start to finish, and I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in Jackie O, or just likes a good memoir. Though the Kennedy family feature prominently, the author never fade into the background, which I thought was quite impressive. Especially enjoyed the stories of her childhood/youth growing up in Ireland. Well done.
This was a pleasure to read from start to finish, and I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in Jackie O, or just likes a good memoir. Though the Kennedy family feature prominently, the author never fade into the background, which I thought was quite impressive. Especially enjoyed the stories of her childhood/youth growing up in Ireland. Well done.
February 7, 2018
Kathy McKeon came to America from Ireland and with a little bit of luck and some handy connections, found herself working for one of the world's most famous women. I wasn't familiar with the Kennedy family, so it was fascinating to read the intimate details of daily life at Jackie's home in New York. Kathy came to work for her and the family about a year after the assassination. She was deeply involved in "Madam's" and the children's lives, traveling with them and taking care of many details. Kathy's breezy anecdotes and funny stories make the book a quick read and also reveal how very ordinary they were, or tried to be, amidst all the fame and lore surrounding them. However, don't expect much commentary in the way of history and what was happening in this volatile time. Whether it's because Kathy was an immigrant and therefore not as in tune with American politics and history or because she lived inside the Kennedy bubble (likely a combination of both), the focus is not often on outside events. Kathy said it best herself: "I spent my summers in the privileged world of yacht clubs and private beaches, never knowing that race riots were erupting in major cities across the country at the same time, worse with each passing year. I wasn't in college, signing petitions, or rallying for a protest march, nor was I spending my day in an office building then going to happy hour with my coworkers come five o'clock to talk about what was going on in America. My days revolved around Madam's wants and needs, never mine. I didn't have a life that was wholly my own."
Overall, an intriguing glimpse inside a family that continues to fascinate Americans to this day.
Overall, an intriguing glimpse inside a family that continues to fascinate Americans to this day.
July 21, 2017
I just don't think there's much of a point to this book, other than cashing in on knowing the Kennedys.
The author tried to make herself sound more important than she really was; she wasn't a close friend or an insider. She was a liked employee, that's all. There wasn't much riveting information; a lot of complaints and blathering about squabbles with other employees, which I couldn't care less about.
Also if you can't quit a job because you need to send money back to your desperately poor family back in Ireland, why waste money on an apartment when you're literally LIVE IN HELP and can only spend a few days a month at said apartment?
The author tried to make herself sound more important than she really was; she wasn't a close friend or an insider. She was a liked employee, that's all. There wasn't much riveting information; a lot of complaints and blathering about squabbles with other employees, which I couldn't care less about.
Also if you can't quit a job because you need to send money back to your desperately poor family back in Ireland, why waste money on an apartment when you're literally LIVE IN HELP and can only spend a few days a month at said apartment?
June 26, 2017
I won this Free book from Goodreads First-Reads.
Jackie's girl was an Irish girl that came to the US in 1964 at 19 years old. Kathy McKeon.
She was Jackie's Kennedy's personal assistant . She really did more; watching the children and helping Jackie arrange and rearrange her home.
The book brought out things about Jackie Kennedy, that I never knew. She had a great sense of humor.
She and Kathy would often had a good laugh.
As the years passed by Jackie was always so kind and generous with Kathy. Kathy was always loyal to her employer.
A very enjoyable read.
Jackie's girl was an Irish girl that came to the US in 1964 at 19 years old. Kathy McKeon.
She was Jackie's Kennedy's personal assistant . She really did more; watching the children and helping Jackie arrange and rearrange her home.
The book brought out things about Jackie Kennedy, that I never knew. She had a great sense of humor.
She and Kathy would often had a good laugh.
As the years passed by Jackie was always so kind and generous with Kathy. Kathy was always loyal to her employer.
A very enjoyable read.
August 21, 2017
This is such a heartfelt, loving memoir. You could tell just how much Jackie Kennedy and her family meant to Ms. McKeon. I loved being a part of the little moments in a family that we all loved. I loved that this wasn't just another tell-all with all the secret nastiness. There were some very funny moments, some very touching moments. I enjoyed it very much.
I received a copy of this book from Goodreads and the opinion is humbly my own.
I received a copy of this book from Goodreads and the opinion is humbly my own.
July 23, 2017
I am not a big fan of memoirs. However I did win this book in a Mother's Day giveaway so I needed to read and review. This book is a memoir of the life of Kathy McKeon an Irish girl who emigrated to America and became the personal assistant to Jackie Kennedy. Told in a very thoughtful down-to-earth manner we learn of Kathy's life growing up in Ireland, her travel to the US, her struggle to fit in, and then eventually her relationship with "Madam". I actually liked this book as it not only focused on Kathys life but it was also a behind the scenes personal look at one of the most admired woman in history. 3.5 stars
October 29, 2025
Let me assure you. Three stars is NOT a bad book. I was home sick this week with some kind of bug and couldn’t read anything I had been anticipating. So I just got this for free in my kindle to browse.
It’s not impressive literature, but
I found it fascinating as told by the young, poor Irish girl who landed a job as an assistant to Jackie Kennedy in her New York apartment, 6 months after the President was assassinated. It’s true and authentic and full of insights, not only into the Kennedy clan, but mostly into a complex and unusual coming of age tale, which lasted for decades
.
Read it. Fascinating stuff.
It’s not impressive literature, but
I found it fascinating as told by the young, poor Irish girl who landed a job as an assistant to Jackie Kennedy in her New York apartment, 6 months after the President was assassinated. It’s true and authentic and full of insights, not only into the Kennedy clan, but mostly into a complex and unusual coming of age tale, which lasted for decades
.
Read it. Fascinating stuff.
February 26, 2021
I never would have picked up this book if not for the reading challenge my library is doing, but I am sure glad I did. Reading about Jackie O and the Kennedy’s life from the perspective her personal assistant (who became much more than that in her time with the family) was a real treat.
April 10, 2024
I quite enjoyed this memoir, the audio version is what bumps my rating to a 5 star. Aedín Moloney is a pleasure to listen to :)
April 17, 2018
Extremely interesting book!
May 30, 2019
When I finished reading this book, I wished I hadn't even started, but it's for my book club, so I sort of felt obligated.
The writing style strikes me as very much that of a hidden ghostwriter--not wanting to infuse any real personality into text gotten from somewhat unsatisfactory interviews with someone whose lack of ability to describe details hampers the book at every point. With Kathy's lack of education, you can't tell me she actually wrote this book herself without either very heavy editing (meaning rewriting most of the sentences) or using an interview-type-it-up collaboration. Her best scenes are of her initial interview with Jackie Kennedy and then of her childhood and girlhood in Ireland.
But the point of this book is supposed to be to describe her life with the Kennedy family, and that seems to lead her into a paradox where she doesn't really want to tell too much. Notice that she carefully includes the dismissal of the cook, Annemarie, for being indiscreet with the family's privacy, and here is Kathy herself, revealing what she probably still feels she shouldn't be telling. She's very careful to reveal as little of Caroline as possible, possibly because Caroline is still alive and can get mad about it.
The overwhelming tenor of the book is hero-worship, and that gets boring very fast, so there are some less-flattering episodes thrown in here and there, and they sound about like something an interviewer had to dig hard to get the subject to come up with (you can practically hear the begging, "Weren't there any conflicts with Mrs. Kennedy? Maybe with the other staff?").
The author's actual life with the Kennedy family was just a little over a decade long, 1964 to about 1975. But that won't do for the book publishers or the ghost-writer or editor or whoever is trying to give this book a point (it doesn't work--there is really no point to this book except to cash in on a famous family that has been exploited beyond anything remotely reasonable)--anyway, to provide some sort of shape to the story, we have to revisit the deaths of Jackie and of John and Carolyn. So there has to be something about John as an adult, and here's where it feels ridiculously voyeuristic, when the incidents the author chooses are distinctly unflattering as opposed to all the earlier ones.
We don't even get a decent idea of what this woman's job really was. We get a ridiculously tiny amount of detail about what her job entailed. I felt like the (ghost)writer got bored and quit asking for more details of the actual job in favor of details of the author's interactions with the children and the point that they were not actually part of her job. There's a passing mention of how active Jackie's social life was. Well then, what was this woman doing to support that?
The shape of this book is all wrong. It starts with Kathy getting this job with the Kennedys and goes to a flashback to her previous job, then to her growing up in Ireland, back to the Kennedy job decade or so, but then it sticks and tries to hang on to them too long, including the final tragedies, as if the author had actually joined the family instead of being a former employee who was welcome to interact on a very limited basis afterwards. For a memoir, it ought to focus on the shape of the author's life. Having it start with her journey to America, with the flashback chapter to Ireland and with a brief epilogue of the sad deaths of Jackie and then of John and Carolyn would have been all right. That way it could have actually been a coming-of-age story, something about the education or development of this girl as it occurred during her work with this family. It would have been nice to get a better sense of how their advantages may have helped Kathy to mature and develop depth. I suspect there was not much education happening though (she never once mentions reading anything, studying anything, doing anything cultural beyond Irish dances), not much development beyond a woman getting used to material things.
Thus the book relies on anecdotes about Kennedys for its existence, and that to me is clearly not enough; it's exploitative.
The writing style strikes me as very much that of a hidden ghostwriter--not wanting to infuse any real personality into text gotten from somewhat unsatisfactory interviews with someone whose lack of ability to describe details hampers the book at every point. With Kathy's lack of education, you can't tell me she actually wrote this book herself without either very heavy editing (meaning rewriting most of the sentences) or using an interview-type-it-up collaboration. Her best scenes are of her initial interview with Jackie Kennedy and then of her childhood and girlhood in Ireland.
But the point of this book is supposed to be to describe her life with the Kennedy family, and that seems to lead her into a paradox where she doesn't really want to tell too much. Notice that she carefully includes the dismissal of the cook, Annemarie, for being indiscreet with the family's privacy, and here is Kathy herself, revealing what she probably still feels she shouldn't be telling. She's very careful to reveal as little of Caroline as possible, possibly because Caroline is still alive and can get mad about it.
The overwhelming tenor of the book is hero-worship, and that gets boring very fast, so there are some less-flattering episodes thrown in here and there, and they sound about like something an interviewer had to dig hard to get the subject to come up with (you can practically hear the begging, "Weren't there any conflicts with Mrs. Kennedy? Maybe with the other staff?").
The author's actual life with the Kennedy family was just a little over a decade long, 1964 to about 1975. But that won't do for the book publishers or the ghost-writer or editor or whoever is trying to give this book a point (it doesn't work--there is really no point to this book except to cash in on a famous family that has been exploited beyond anything remotely reasonable)--anyway, to provide some sort of shape to the story, we have to revisit the deaths of Jackie and of John and Carolyn. So there has to be something about John as an adult, and here's where it feels ridiculously voyeuristic, when the incidents the author chooses are distinctly unflattering as opposed to all the earlier ones.
We don't even get a decent idea of what this woman's job really was. We get a ridiculously tiny amount of detail about what her job entailed. I felt like the (ghost)writer got bored and quit asking for more details of the actual job in favor of details of the author's interactions with the children and the point that they were not actually part of her job. There's a passing mention of how active Jackie's social life was. Well then, what was this woman doing to support that?
The shape of this book is all wrong. It starts with Kathy getting this job with the Kennedys and goes to a flashback to her previous job, then to her growing up in Ireland, back to the Kennedy job decade or so, but then it sticks and tries to hang on to them too long, including the final tragedies, as if the author had actually joined the family instead of being a former employee who was welcome to interact on a very limited basis afterwards. For a memoir, it ought to focus on the shape of the author's life. Having it start with her journey to America, with the flashback chapter to Ireland and with a brief epilogue of the sad deaths of Jackie and then of John and Carolyn would have been all right. That way it could have actually been a coming-of-age story, something about the education or development of this girl as it occurred during her work with this family. It would have been nice to get a better sense of how their advantages may have helped Kathy to mature and develop depth. I suspect there was not much education happening though (she never once mentions reading anything, studying anything, doing anything cultural beyond Irish dances), not much development beyond a woman getting used to material things.
Thus the book relies on anecdotes about Kennedys for its existence, and that to me is clearly not enough; it's exploitative.
May 15, 2017
Different perspective
I really enjoyed this book! It gave a different perspective into the lives of the Kennedy family. I felt it showed a whole different side that looked at them as people rather than celebrities. What a wonderful friend Kathy was to them!
I really enjoyed this book! It gave a different perspective into the lives of the Kennedy family. I felt it showed a whole different side that looked at them as people rather than celebrities. What a wonderful friend Kathy was to them!
September 27, 2017
I read this book in one day because I had some construction going on in the house and really couldn't get much else done. It was a very good read. Kathy paints a bleak but beautiful picture of her life growing up in a tiny town in Ireland. She was one of 8 kids, raised in a tiny farmhouse with no running water or electricity and a stove for heat in the 1940s-1960s. We went to Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland on a trip and the sad thing to me was how the young people leave when they get through with school. It's a terrible drain on the countries, but I can see why they would if things were that backward not long ago.
Her story of her time working for Jacqueline Kennedy for years is very interesting and told with a lot of humor and insight into the terrible blows to the Kennedy Family. She started working for Jackie about a year after JFK was assassinated, and was there through the assassination of Bobby Kennedy,
Martin Luther King and the Chappaquiddick controversy with Ted Kennedy and her marriage to Aristotle Onassis. I had just recently read two books by Jackie's Secret Service Officer, Clint Hill, so it was interesting to read a lot of this from a woman's point of view.
Her story of her time working for Jacqueline Kennedy for years is very interesting and told with a lot of humor and insight into the terrible blows to the Kennedy Family. She started working for Jackie about a year after JFK was assassinated, and was there through the assassination of Bobby Kennedy,
Martin Luther King and the Chappaquiddick controversy with Ted Kennedy and her marriage to Aristotle Onassis. I had just recently read two books by Jackie's Secret Service Officer, Clint Hill, so it was interesting to read a lot of this from a woman's point of view.
December 16, 2017
Like a previous reviewer, I was unsure about this book when I first saw it, believing it was just a quick cash in using a famous persons name, but I was glad to be proven wrong. This is an intimate, loving and respectful portrayal of Kathy McKeon's experience with Jackie Kennedy and her family. Within the covers of this book, I found a Jackie Kennedy I never knew- a woman who managed to (at various times) combine the roles of employer, mother and older sister towards Kathy, and to combine them with style.
I did get the feeling that Kathy was holding back somewhat, and not out of a need for secrecy, but out of respect for Jackie and her family, that there were things she knew are private, intimate family/personal issues that she had no business revealing. For me, these did not subtract from the story, but only made me admire the author because it proved this was not just about making some quick cash, but rather Kathy wanting to show the world what she knew- the kindness of Jackie Kennedy and the entire Kennedy as a whole.
For anyone interested in the Kennedy family, you will enjoy this book.
I did get the feeling that Kathy was holding back somewhat, and not out of a need for secrecy, but out of respect for Jackie and her family, that there were things she knew are private, intimate family/personal issues that she had no business revealing. For me, these did not subtract from the story, but only made me admire the author because it proved this was not just about making some quick cash, but rather Kathy wanting to show the world what she knew- the kindness of Jackie Kennedy and the entire Kennedy as a whole.
For anyone interested in the Kennedy family, you will enjoy this book.
November 24, 2017
I loved every word and turn of the page. While I did hope/think it would be more about Jackie O, I'm very glad it wasn't some sooty tell-all. It was funny, kind, sweet, and loving. How lucky Kathy was to be able to be her own person, yet within the sancutary of Jackie Kennedy O.
The tales of Ireland were charming and telling, as were the other happenings in our world outside the protective bubble of the secrete service.
I would love for Kathy Mckeon to write another book about her Ireland, and I'm not even Irish!
The tales of Ireland were charming and telling, as were the other happenings in our world outside the protective bubble of the secrete service.
I would love for Kathy Mckeon to write another book about her Ireland, and I'm not even Irish!
May 30, 2018
McKeon gives us not only a glimse into the story of her life but we get to peek at America’s royal family The Kennedys as well. She weaves a tale that I didn’t want to put down. Her devotion to Jackie, John and Caroline was above and beyond a regular job. She was part of the family. I really enjoyed this autobiography.
May 31, 2017
If you're a Jackie fan, this is a great read to add to your list.
October 10, 2019
My Thoughts:
This is the first book I’ve borrowed from the bookshelf of my sixteen year old granddaughter. She’s an avid reader. We have similar tastes in books.
Jackie’s Girl is the first book I’ve read about the Kennedy’s. However, Jackie’s Girl is not a bio on the Kennedy’s, they are secondary characters in the book. Jackie’s Girl is the story of Kathy McKeon. It’s a coming of age story that is unique, because Kathy worked for Jackie Kennedy. Kathy’s perspective of Jackie is also unique. Kathy was not an American. She’s new to the American way of life in the mid 1960s. She’s new to living in a large metropolitan city.
My Thoughts:
Several things I liked about the book:
♦A unique perspective.
♦Written in a light-hearted manner.
♦Not an expose on the Kennedy family.
♦A solid introduction piece on the Kennedy’s.
♦Gave me an idea of what Jackie’s life was like.
♦A fresh look at Jackie’s personality.
♦A view of the relationship between Jackie and Aristotle Onassis.
What I didn’t like or wish had been added:
♦I still am not clear on what Kathy’s duties were for Jackie. From what I read, Kathy was to make sure Jackie didn’t run out of perfume and bath oil, and she was to entertain the children. Surely she had more to do?
♦Nothing is in-depth. Another words all the descriptions, thoughts, and perspective is minimal. I do not want to read a gossip book, but I do want to read a book that gives a strong and clear picture of the people and events.
♦The book left me wanting more, so much more.
Book borrowed from granddaughter's book shelf.
This is the first book I’ve borrowed from the bookshelf of my sixteen year old granddaughter. She’s an avid reader. We have similar tastes in books.
Jackie’s Girl is the first book I’ve read about the Kennedy’s. However, Jackie’s Girl is not a bio on the Kennedy’s, they are secondary characters in the book. Jackie’s Girl is the story of Kathy McKeon. It’s a coming of age story that is unique, because Kathy worked for Jackie Kennedy. Kathy’s perspective of Jackie is also unique. Kathy was not an American. She’s new to the American way of life in the mid 1960s. She’s new to living in a large metropolitan city.
My Thoughts:
Several things I liked about the book:
♦A unique perspective.
♦Written in a light-hearted manner.
♦Not an expose on the Kennedy family.
♦A solid introduction piece on the Kennedy’s.
♦Gave me an idea of what Jackie’s life was like.
♦A fresh look at Jackie’s personality.
♦A view of the relationship between Jackie and Aristotle Onassis.
What I didn’t like or wish had been added:
♦I still am not clear on what Kathy’s duties were for Jackie. From what I read, Kathy was to make sure Jackie didn’t run out of perfume and bath oil, and she was to entertain the children. Surely she had more to do?
♦Nothing is in-depth. Another words all the descriptions, thoughts, and perspective is minimal. I do not want to read a gossip book, but I do want to read a book that gives a strong and clear picture of the people and events.
♦The book left me wanting more, so much more.
Book borrowed from granddaughter's book shelf.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 449 reviews