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Kick: The True Story of JFK's Sister and the Heir to Chatsworth
The acclaimed biography of the unconventional, nearly forgotten Kennedy sister who charmed the world and broke with her family for love.Rose and Joe Kennedy’s children were the embodiment of ambitious, wholesome Americanism. Yet even within this group of overachievers, the irrepressible Kathleen stood out. Lively, charismatic, and blessed with graceful athleticism, the alluring socialite known as Kick effortlessly made friends and stole hearts.When her father became ambassador to Great Britain in 1938, Kick charmed the nation with her unconventional attitude and easygoing humor. She would also shock and alienate her devout family by marrying the scion of a virulently anti-Catholic family— William Cavendish, the heir apparent of the Duke of Devonshire and Chatsworth. But the marriage would last only a few months; Billy was killed in combat in 1944, just four years before Kick’s own unexpected death in an airplane crash at twenty-eight.Paula Byrne recounts this remarkable young woman’s life as never before, from her work at the Washington Times-Herald to her volunteering with the Red Cross in wartime England; and from her deep love of politics to her decision to renounce her faith for the man she loved. Sympathetic and compelling, Kick shines a spotlight on this feisty and unique Kennedy long relegated to the shadows of her legendary family’s history.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 19, 2016
About the author
Paula Byrne
18 books126 followersPaula Byrne is a British author and biographer. She is married to writer Jonathan Bate, the Shakespeare scholar.
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July 12, 2016
Kick by Paula Byrne is a 2016 Harper publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Does the fascination with the Kennedy’s ever really fade?
This larger than life family, is remembered for their unprecedented success and mark on our country and our lives, but they are also remembered for the heart wrenching tragedies the family has endured. This book is about Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy, the fourth Kennedy child, whose life ended abruptly, and shockingly, at such a young age.
While I have always been very curious about the Kennedy assassination, having read many books on the subject, both fiction and non-fiction, I can’t say my interest in the Kennedy family has ever strayed beyond that.
I confess to knowing very little about Kathleen Kennedy before starting this book, so for me it has been very enlightening, giving me a different perspective on the family.
Kathleen appears to have been a vivacious girl, smart, funny, and full of mischief. She was close to her father, but seemed to have an especially close relationship with her brother, Jack.
Despite her life being cut so tragically short, she did appear to live it with gusto, unafraid to tread into unchartered territory, break rules, and was a little scandalous, especially for the time era in which she lived, which did not always please her parents.
This accounting of her life is interesting, but, the reading could be dry at times, especially in the beginning with the requisite background on the Kennedy family dynasty. But, as ‘Kick’ grew older, her personality really shined and the book does include some personal stories and excerpts from letters she wrote, which gives the reader a little insight into the type of person she was.
I found the latter part of her short life, to be the most interesting and controversial. I think her death was taken very hard by the family, but it was also quickly hushed, as there were some aspects of Kathleen’s death the family would rather not have publicized.
While Rose Kennedy has been dubbed, “The Forgotten Kennedy”, I don’t think Kathleen’s life has been examined all that closely either. I gleaned enough information from this book to have whetted my appetite, if you will, and I would like to learn more about ‘Kick’, and perhaps other Kennedy family members, besides JFK.
I’m not sure if this book is the most comprehensive accounting of her life, but it gave me enough information and insight to get a pretty clear picture of Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy.
Kathleen certainly packed a lot of living into her short life, and was ahead of her time in many ways. She is certainly an interesting figure and I am glad I took the time to learn more about her life.
3.5 rounded to 4
Does the fascination with the Kennedy’s ever really fade?
This larger than life family, is remembered for their unprecedented success and mark on our country and our lives, but they are also remembered for the heart wrenching tragedies the family has endured. This book is about Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy, the fourth Kennedy child, whose life ended abruptly, and shockingly, at such a young age.
While I have always been very curious about the Kennedy assassination, having read many books on the subject, both fiction and non-fiction, I can’t say my interest in the Kennedy family has ever strayed beyond that.
I confess to knowing very little about Kathleen Kennedy before starting this book, so for me it has been very enlightening, giving me a different perspective on the family.
Kathleen appears to have been a vivacious girl, smart, funny, and full of mischief. She was close to her father, but seemed to have an especially close relationship with her brother, Jack.
Despite her life being cut so tragically short, she did appear to live it with gusto, unafraid to tread into unchartered territory, break rules, and was a little scandalous, especially for the time era in which she lived, which did not always please her parents.
This accounting of her life is interesting, but, the reading could be dry at times, especially in the beginning with the requisite background on the Kennedy family dynasty. But, as ‘Kick’ grew older, her personality really shined and the book does include some personal stories and excerpts from letters she wrote, which gives the reader a little insight into the type of person she was.
I found the latter part of her short life, to be the most interesting and controversial. I think her death was taken very hard by the family, but it was also quickly hushed, as there were some aspects of Kathleen’s death the family would rather not have publicized.
While Rose Kennedy has been dubbed, “The Forgotten Kennedy”, I don’t think Kathleen’s life has been examined all that closely either. I gleaned enough information from this book to have whetted my appetite, if you will, and I would like to learn more about ‘Kick’, and perhaps other Kennedy family members, besides JFK.
I’m not sure if this book is the most comprehensive accounting of her life, but it gave me enough information and insight to get a pretty clear picture of Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy.
Kathleen certainly packed a lot of living into her short life, and was ahead of her time in many ways. She is certainly an interesting figure and I am glad I took the time to learn more about her life.
3.5 rounded to 4
January 1, 2021
The early chapters, i believe, are meant, in some way to convince us that the Kennedy family is in some way special. That their closeness? their “drivenness”, competitiveness? is extraordinary.
But the examples we are provided just lead to the conclusion that, if anything, given their tremendous wealth and grotesquely out-of-proportion opportunities, they ended up rather mediocre.
The author spends many, way too many words, on Rose’s devotion, her faith - really her fraudulent marriage - knowing full well of her husband’s gross philandering but staying because she dug the money and power and playing the oh-poor-me-Catholic momma (just my opinion, mind you). And we are told of the competitive family dinner discussions, church/mass. Then the adorable anecdotes (remember they live in a mansion in Bronxville during the depression) these good Christians: after grade school these (darling) youth would go to “...a popular drugstore with a soda fountain on the corner near to the children’s school. When the owner turned away, they would filch gum and lifesaver mints.”
Because, you see, the rules don’t apply to them, and BTW f-- the starving, tiny margin, store owner.
Oh and that particular one of the 10 Commandments.
So “Kick” Kennedy is off to Europe to finish her education (the 30’s!).
She is warned that she might have to view “so many sick people” if she went to Lourdes.
Next, she was “thrilled that she got to see Il Duce…. ‘He is magnificent and one cannot help but liking him after seeing the patriotism of the Italians.’ She had seen the Pope and Mussolini on the same day.”
Yes, yes, i’m beginning to see that concise, critically thinking mind, finely turned at those dinners at work. Not.
In 1936 (a time when the median USA family income was $1,160 a year) Rose and daughters FLY to Moscow to see the Bolshoi Ballet. Kick is back and forth England to Palm Beach, Hyannis Port, and back. Flying.
Her father Joe Kennedy Sr, the D. Trump of his day, (i’m so rich…) boinking every female around. One particularly nauseating passage:
“Kick’s friend’s felt uneasy about her father’s unwanted advances. Some of them refused to watch movies in the basement cinema because he would touch them and pinch them. In the evening he would insist on a kiss on the lips.” UCK.
But, of course, they were an EXEMPLARY Catholic family. Read the book's blurb: "wholesome" "ebullient". Not so much.
Somewhere in here, despite her amazing schools, one of a kind experiences (the Hermitage? in 1936? really?) and her disgustingly rich family, she is rejected by Sarah Lawrence. (Small schadenfreude).
So much of this book is written as though it was 1790 and the assumption is that all sentient beings are male. Lem (JFK’s old friend) says of him, “I never knew anyone with stronger feelings of loyalty”. I‘m thinking - wonder how Jackie Kennedy felt about that . His apparent “loyalty” to her seems to have been a tad lacking. Just a thought. But from the beginning there was a clear division in rules based on gender. Perhaps females don’t deserve loyalty?
On the cusp of war, Peace in our Time time, in August 1938 - Kick is partying in Monte Carlo - she is very laissez-faire about a Jew who was with their party - who she describes becoming scared (understatement) when someone else (in their group) got into a drunken brawl. She also complained that Austria “had lost its sense of gayness and carefreeness” since the Anschluss.
Gosh darn it.
Towards the end of the book, I suppose as a compliment, the author throws in:
“She was a good shopper”. ?
Yes, she had a tragically short life; and was among the millions who lost during that war, and came from a troubled family.
If you're interested in this person, check Wikipedia.
But the examples we are provided just lead to the conclusion that, if anything, given their tremendous wealth and grotesquely out-of-proportion opportunities, they ended up rather mediocre.
The author spends many, way too many words, on Rose’s devotion, her faith - really her fraudulent marriage - knowing full well of her husband’s gross philandering but staying because she dug the money and power and playing the oh-poor-me-Catholic momma (just my opinion, mind you). And we are told of the competitive family dinner discussions, church/mass. Then the adorable anecdotes (remember they live in a mansion in Bronxville during the depression) these good Christians: after grade school these (darling) youth would go to “...a popular drugstore with a soda fountain on the corner near to the children’s school. When the owner turned away, they would filch gum and lifesaver mints.”
Because, you see, the rules don’t apply to them, and BTW f-- the starving, tiny margin, store owner.
Oh and that particular one of the 10 Commandments.
So “Kick” Kennedy is off to Europe to finish her education (the 30’s!).
She is warned that she might have to view “so many sick people” if she went to Lourdes.
Next, she was “thrilled that she got to see Il Duce…. ‘He is magnificent and one cannot help but liking him after seeing the patriotism of the Italians.’ She had seen the Pope and Mussolini on the same day.”
Yes, yes, i’m beginning to see that concise, critically thinking mind, finely turned at those dinners at work. Not.
In 1936 (a time when the median USA family income was $1,160 a year) Rose and daughters FLY to Moscow to see the Bolshoi Ballet. Kick is back and forth England to Palm Beach, Hyannis Port, and back. Flying.
Her father Joe Kennedy Sr, the D. Trump of his day, (i’m so rich…) boinking every female around. One particularly nauseating passage:
“Kick’s friend’s felt uneasy about her father’s unwanted advances. Some of them refused to watch movies in the basement cinema because he would touch them and pinch them. In the evening he would insist on a kiss on the lips.” UCK.
But, of course, they were an EXEMPLARY Catholic family. Read the book's blurb: "wholesome" "ebullient". Not so much.
Somewhere in here, despite her amazing schools, one of a kind experiences (the Hermitage? in 1936? really?) and her disgustingly rich family, she is rejected by Sarah Lawrence. (Small schadenfreude).
So much of this book is written as though it was 1790 and the assumption is that all sentient beings are male. Lem (JFK’s old friend) says of him, “I never knew anyone with stronger feelings of loyalty”. I‘m thinking - wonder how Jackie Kennedy felt about that . His apparent “loyalty” to her seems to have been a tad lacking. Just a thought. But from the beginning there was a clear division in rules based on gender. Perhaps females don’t deserve loyalty?
On the cusp of war, Peace in our Time time, in August 1938 - Kick is partying in Monte Carlo - she is very laissez-faire about a Jew who was with their party - who she describes becoming scared (understatement) when someone else (in their group) got into a drunken brawl. She also complained that Austria “had lost its sense of gayness and carefreeness” since the Anschluss.
Gosh darn it.
Towards the end of the book, I suppose as a compliment, the author throws in:
“She was a good shopper”. ?
Yes, she had a tragically short life; and was among the millions who lost during that war, and came from a troubled family.
If you're interested in this person, check Wikipedia.
May 7, 2016
Find this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....
I've been to Dealey Plaza and toured The Sixth Floor Museum, but my most interesting experience with Kennedy family history took place in a quiet English cemetery. I was visiting my cousins and we'd pulled over to discuss where to go after walking the grounds at Chatsworth. My sister and I weren't part of the conversation, so while the powers that be worked out a game plan, we opted to take a closer look at a nearby church. As we approached the building, we noted a small sign addressed to American visitors and naturally felt obligated to play our part. We followed the directions to a weather beaten headstone and commemorative plaque. Someone had left a blue bouquet of flowers above the memorial marker honoring President John F. Kennedy's visit, but the grave is what caught my eye and I spent the next evening looking up everything I could find on Kathleen.
Unfortunately for me, there weren't many options. Kathleen Kennedy: Her Life and Times by Lynne McTaggart was the only biography I could find, but reviews indicated Black Diamonds: The Rise and Fall of an English Dynasty by Catherine Bailey had some good information as well. A fictional piece, That Kennedy Girl by Robert DeMaria also existed, but not one of these titles satisfied my curiosity regarding Kick's romance with William Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington. I wanted more insight, but the opportunity didn't arise until 2016 when I landed an ARC of Paula Byrne's Kick: The True Story of JFK's Sister and the Heir to Chatsworth.
Looking back on the book, I can't say that much of the material was new to me, but it was detailed and easy to follow. Structurally I was somewhat confused and more than a little miffed, but that is what it is. The title indicated the book would be about Kick and her relationship with William, but he doesn't make an appearance until page 82. The first third of the book struck me as stock material one could find in any Kennedy family biography as it was dedicated entirely to Kick’s parents and her life before Billy. This begged the question, was Byrne writing about Kick and Billy as the title suggested or is this really Kick's story with footnotes on her famous family as indicated by the cover image which inexplicably features Kick and Jack.
I resigned myself to the latter, but even that didn't pan out. Kick's childhood and youth were dragged out over several chapters, but Byrne pulled a 180 and lumped the last four years of her life into a paltry fifteen pages. The only rationale for this is that Byrne didn't want to feature Kick's subsequent relationship with Peter Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, 8th Earl Fitzwilliam too highly in a book that was supposed to be about her romance with Billy, but that line of thought brought me straight back to my original quandary. Was Byrne writing about Kick and Billy or was she writing about Kick? If the latter, why offer a byline about Chatsworth's heir in the title and why omit intricate detailing of her life after his death?
At the end of the day, Kick: The True Story of JFK's Sister and the Heir to Chatsworth is not a bad biography, but its structure wasn't flawless. I'm not sure how it compares to Kick Kennedy: The Charmed Life and Tragic Death of the Favorite Kennedy Daughter by Barbara Leaming which also released in 2016, but it does offer a significant amount of insight to Kick's life in England and I would definitely recommend it to Kennedy enthusiasts.
I've been to Dealey Plaza and toured The Sixth Floor Museum, but my most interesting experience with Kennedy family history took place in a quiet English cemetery. I was visiting my cousins and we'd pulled over to discuss where to go after walking the grounds at Chatsworth. My sister and I weren't part of the conversation, so while the powers that be worked out a game plan, we opted to take a closer look at a nearby church. As we approached the building, we noted a small sign addressed to American visitors and naturally felt obligated to play our part. We followed the directions to a weather beaten headstone and commemorative plaque. Someone had left a blue bouquet of flowers above the memorial marker honoring President John F. Kennedy's visit, but the grave is what caught my eye and I spent the next evening looking up everything I could find on Kathleen.
Unfortunately for me, there weren't many options. Kathleen Kennedy: Her Life and Times by Lynne McTaggart was the only biography I could find, but reviews indicated Black Diamonds: The Rise and Fall of an English Dynasty by Catherine Bailey had some good information as well. A fictional piece, That Kennedy Girl by Robert DeMaria also existed, but not one of these titles satisfied my curiosity regarding Kick's romance with William Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington. I wanted more insight, but the opportunity didn't arise until 2016 when I landed an ARC of Paula Byrne's Kick: The True Story of JFK's Sister and the Heir to Chatsworth.
Looking back on the book, I can't say that much of the material was new to me, but it was detailed and easy to follow. Structurally I was somewhat confused and more than a little miffed, but that is what it is. The title indicated the book would be about Kick and her relationship with William, but he doesn't make an appearance until page 82. The first third of the book struck me as stock material one could find in any Kennedy family biography as it was dedicated entirely to Kick’s parents and her life before Billy. This begged the question, was Byrne writing about Kick and Billy as the title suggested or is this really Kick's story with footnotes on her famous family as indicated by the cover image which inexplicably features Kick and Jack.
I resigned myself to the latter, but even that didn't pan out. Kick's childhood and youth were dragged out over several chapters, but Byrne pulled a 180 and lumped the last four years of her life into a paltry fifteen pages. The only rationale for this is that Byrne didn't want to feature Kick's subsequent relationship with Peter Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, 8th Earl Fitzwilliam too highly in a book that was supposed to be about her romance with Billy, but that line of thought brought me straight back to my original quandary. Was Byrne writing about Kick and Billy or was she writing about Kick? If the latter, why offer a byline about Chatsworth's heir in the title and why omit intricate detailing of her life after his death?
At the end of the day, Kick: The True Story of JFK's Sister and the Heir to Chatsworth is not a bad biography, but its structure wasn't flawless. I'm not sure how it compares to Kick Kennedy: The Charmed Life and Tragic Death of the Favorite Kennedy Daughter by Barbara Leaming which also released in 2016, but it does offer a significant amount of insight to Kick's life in England and I would definitely recommend it to Kennedy enthusiasts.
February 6, 2017
3.5 stars. I'm not a great reader of non-fiction and tend to shy away from it. Unfortunately the first book club pick of the year was the story of Kathleen Kennedy (Kick as she was known), the fourth Kennedy child. What actually drew me into this book was the blurb on the front cover saying she was the heir to Chatsworth House, somewhere I'm very familiar with, having been many times as it was only about an hours drive away from where we lived in Sheffield. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the Kennedys and their lifestyle than I already knew, which wasn't much, just the shear amount of money, the houses, the travelling and partying they did, and also the aristocracy they mixed with just blew me away. The other connection I was surprised to find near he end of the book was Kick's relationship with Peter the Earl of Fitzwilliam, who owned the house Wentworth Woodhouse, now that is an area I know very well and unfortunately you are not able to visit the house, something I've always wanted to do on my numerous visits to the village of Wentworth, very very near where I used to live, and still visit when I head back to see friends and family in Sheffield. Mainly I visit the pub there The Rockingham Arms as they do a great Old Peculiar on draft. However I digress, the only reason I didn't give it four stars was the way it was written annoyed me as the book was mainly made up of quotes from other books and put together to form the story which at times I found very disjointed. Other than that very interesting.
March 19, 2017
I've read heaps about the Kennedy family but of course not much about Kick. So it was interesting to learn more about her. (Hoping to remedy the same issue with Rosemary as well). I always found it quite fascinating that we kept her over here in the UK and, reading this we learn just how popular she was over here !! She had a lot of very eligible men falling at her feet yet I always thought Eunice was the most pretty Kennedy daughter, though also the most religious. It was interesting reading all the minutiae of her love affair both with Billy and the UK along with the stories of her as a young girl. I was fascinated to read the kids called Joe Daddy but Rose Mother. That gave away a lot of the children's relationships with their parents. There were a lot of funny little sections, mostly quoted from letters, which were nice to read, giving you an insight into the warm relationships the Kennedy siblings shared, especially. As a family they're all or nothing when it comes to longevity, or the lack thereof......they either die young in a tragedy or go on well into their 80s, it seems. There aren't many that fall into that central category. Even spouses of Kennedys do well-their gloss must rub off some way !!
Of course there were some sad parts in this, there would have to be with any book Kennedy-related. For me they were the mentions of Rosemary and the loss of Billy, too. So horribly sad. I didn't like to read about Rosemary dancing with a chap hired for the event on her coming-out ball and neither the mention of Kick walking her in Hyde Park, as if she was a dog. I'm unsure whether these remarks were the author's or not but I didn't like them. However, the description of her and Maria was a touching image to consider.
So many years were wasted for Kick and Billy and all in the name of religion. A real pity. I have to say that the Cavendish family came out of this very well. They were way less intransigent than Rose Kennedy was as it turned out....AND offered to give her a Catholic funeral as well !! They treated her with more understanding than her Mother without a doubt. Along with also looking after the 2 girls that worked for her. Totally above and beyond. On the other hand, Evelyn Waugh didn't shine. For a "friend" I found him very spiteful quite needlessly and too often.
The relationship with Peter was skated over in a few pages, really. We didn't learn much about that at all, although as it was "covered up" at the time I doubt there's much source material to be had. The actual accident was very similar to the one that claimed John Junior's life in 1999 and for the same reasons. It was upsetting to read of their flying through that storm for 28 minutes.....they had to have been too well aware they were doomed.
There was barely a mistake in the book, which always pleases me a great deal these days. The odd apostrophe missed and Joe referred to twice when it should've been Billy ! One of the photos has the wrong names beneath it, too-the one at the Vatican.This project the author mentioned sounds highly intriguing. Hope whatever it is materialises.
Of course there were some sad parts in this, there would have to be with any book Kennedy-related. For me they were the mentions of Rosemary and the loss of Billy, too. So horribly sad. I didn't like to read about Rosemary dancing with a chap hired for the event on her coming-out ball and neither the mention of Kick walking her in Hyde Park, as if she was a dog. I'm unsure whether these remarks were the author's or not but I didn't like them. However, the description of her and Maria was a touching image to consider.
So many years were wasted for Kick and Billy and all in the name of religion. A real pity. I have to say that the Cavendish family came out of this very well. They were way less intransigent than Rose Kennedy was as it turned out....AND offered to give her a Catholic funeral as well !! They treated her with more understanding than her Mother without a doubt. Along with also looking after the 2 girls that worked for her. Totally above and beyond. On the other hand, Evelyn Waugh didn't shine. For a "friend" I found him very spiteful quite needlessly and too often.
The relationship with Peter was skated over in a few pages, really. We didn't learn much about that at all, although as it was "covered up" at the time I doubt there's much source material to be had. The actual accident was very similar to the one that claimed John Junior's life in 1999 and for the same reasons. It was upsetting to read of their flying through that storm for 28 minutes.....they had to have been too well aware they were doomed.
There was barely a mistake in the book, which always pleases me a great deal these days. The odd apostrophe missed and Joe referred to twice when it should've been Billy ! One of the photos has the wrong names beneath it, too-the one at the Vatican.This project the author mentioned sounds highly intriguing. Hope whatever it is materialises.
August 12, 2016
Another exciting fascinating and exceptionally written and researched Kennedy book: "Kick: The True Story of Kick Kennedy, JFK's Forgotten Sister and the Heir to Chatsworth" authored by British biographer Paula Byrne, reveals new details about a favorite Kennedy daughter and beloved sister of JFK-- Kathleen Agnes "Kick" Kennedy Cavendish (1920-1948).
As a youth, Kick remained obedient, chaste, devoted to the Irish Catholic faith with her large family, closely supervised by Rose. Her brother's followed the guidance of their father, where the Kennedy children would observe the vast differences between rules and social expectations for males and females. This would be apparent when Joe Sr. brought his glamourous mistress to Hyannis Port in 1928. At 10 years of age Kick visited the White House, and later vacationed in Russia, Italy and parts of Europe with Rose. The Kennedy's believed experience was better than classroom study. In 1937, Joe was a powerful political figure and was appointed by FDR as the British Ambassador.
The British press loved the Kennedy's-- especially Kick, she was beautiful with her dazzling smile, kind, intelligent, and utterly charming. Everyone who met her adored her, and she had a flock of male suitors. Rose ever watchful, sought to keep her isolated in all girl private schools. Joe Jr., JFK and Kick were all very close: friends observed "like a family within a family". Kick worried about JFK's health and encouraged him to have fun at school, which nearly got him expelled. Eventually her brothers failed to see why Kick was so interested in "Billy" William Cavendish Marquess of Hartington (1917-1944): the eldest son of the 10th Duke (Edward) and Duchess (Mary) of Devonshire, and heir to Chatsworth. Unfortunately, Billy's family was one of the most anti-Catholic in England, the opposition dated back to the 17th century, his father would never consent to his heir being a Roman Catholic. Naturally, the Kennedy's opposed the relationship and conspired to keep Kick away from him. With WWII looming, Joe's unpopular opposition to the war (and the possibility of loosing his sons in combat), the Kennedy's returned to the U.S. in 1940.
With a job as a secretary at the Washington Times Herald, Kick never gave up her wish to return to England and Billy. Word reached her he was in a relationship with Sally Norton, and this must have devastated her. Unable to secure her parents consent to return to England, she joined the American Red Cross. This likely impressed Joe who stressed the importance of civic duties. In her drab grey uniform Kick returned to England as a "Doughnut Dollie" in 1943. Kick's romance with Billy could easily be the theme of a historical romance novel, she wasted no time getting back together with her beloved beau. They were married in a civil ceremony at the Chelsea Register Office in Westminster, London on May 06, 1944. Joe Jr. was the only Kennedy family member in attendance.
Byrne portrays Kick as an independent feminist kind of woman way ahead of her time. A free thinker, open minded, and daring enough to go for what she wanted! Kick resisted the unconventional example of her parents marriage, and the role of her philandering father and brothers, who dated married women. Unlike her father and brothers, Billy was opposite of them to her. The Cavendish family all loved Kick dearly, and were so proud and happy to have her a part of their family. This alone must have been refreshing change after the strict intolerance and disapproval from her parents. Kick must have relished this unconditional love and acceptance.
In widowhood, Kick's choice to enter a relationship with the 8th Earl Peter Fitzwilliam (1910-1948) was surprising. An older very experienced lover and womanizer, a seemingly reckless man and daring gambler, her closest friends didn't understand nor approve. In flight to France when their plane crashed, the true nature of their relationship was kept out of the newspapers. Kathleen Agnes Kennedy Cavendish the Marchioness of Hartington was laid to rest on the Chatsworth estate, St. Peter's Church, Edensor, Derbyshire England.
Many thanks to the Seattle Public Library.
As a youth, Kick remained obedient, chaste, devoted to the Irish Catholic faith with her large family, closely supervised by Rose. Her brother's followed the guidance of their father, where the Kennedy children would observe the vast differences between rules and social expectations for males and females. This would be apparent when Joe Sr. brought his glamourous mistress to Hyannis Port in 1928. At 10 years of age Kick visited the White House, and later vacationed in Russia, Italy and parts of Europe with Rose. The Kennedy's believed experience was better than classroom study. In 1937, Joe was a powerful political figure and was appointed by FDR as the British Ambassador.
The British press loved the Kennedy's-- especially Kick, she was beautiful with her dazzling smile, kind, intelligent, and utterly charming. Everyone who met her adored her, and she had a flock of male suitors. Rose ever watchful, sought to keep her isolated in all girl private schools. Joe Jr., JFK and Kick were all very close: friends observed "like a family within a family". Kick worried about JFK's health and encouraged him to have fun at school, which nearly got him expelled. Eventually her brothers failed to see why Kick was so interested in "Billy" William Cavendish Marquess of Hartington (1917-1944): the eldest son of the 10th Duke (Edward) and Duchess (Mary) of Devonshire, and heir to Chatsworth. Unfortunately, Billy's family was one of the most anti-Catholic in England, the opposition dated back to the 17th century, his father would never consent to his heir being a Roman Catholic. Naturally, the Kennedy's opposed the relationship and conspired to keep Kick away from him. With WWII looming, Joe's unpopular opposition to the war (and the possibility of loosing his sons in combat), the Kennedy's returned to the U.S. in 1940.
With a job as a secretary at the Washington Times Herald, Kick never gave up her wish to return to England and Billy. Word reached her he was in a relationship with Sally Norton, and this must have devastated her. Unable to secure her parents consent to return to England, she joined the American Red Cross. This likely impressed Joe who stressed the importance of civic duties. In her drab grey uniform Kick returned to England as a "Doughnut Dollie" in 1943. Kick's romance with Billy could easily be the theme of a historical romance novel, she wasted no time getting back together with her beloved beau. They were married in a civil ceremony at the Chelsea Register Office in Westminster, London on May 06, 1944. Joe Jr. was the only Kennedy family member in attendance.
Byrne portrays Kick as an independent feminist kind of woman way ahead of her time. A free thinker, open minded, and daring enough to go for what she wanted! Kick resisted the unconventional example of her parents marriage, and the role of her philandering father and brothers, who dated married women. Unlike her father and brothers, Billy was opposite of them to her. The Cavendish family all loved Kick dearly, and were so proud and happy to have her a part of their family. This alone must have been refreshing change after the strict intolerance and disapproval from her parents. Kick must have relished this unconditional love and acceptance.
In widowhood, Kick's choice to enter a relationship with the 8th Earl Peter Fitzwilliam (1910-1948) was surprising. An older very experienced lover and womanizer, a seemingly reckless man and daring gambler, her closest friends didn't understand nor approve. In flight to France when their plane crashed, the true nature of their relationship was kept out of the newspapers. Kathleen Agnes Kennedy Cavendish the Marchioness of Hartington was laid to rest on the Chatsworth estate, St. Peter's Church, Edensor, Derbyshire England.
Many thanks to the Seattle Public Library.
May 12, 2017
As I've stated before I am a proud Kennedyophile (not a word I know!) I find this family endlessly fascinating & will read anything about them. Kathleen Kennedy aka Kick was the 4th born & second born daughter. She died in 1948 in plane crash the second Kennedy death but as you know not the last. Hundreds of books have been written about this family but most focus on The Big Four: John, Jackie, Robert, Ted. Until recently the rest of the family were footnotes. I hope writers will focus more in the future on the forgotten Kennedys, so far I've read this book about Kick ( I know there's another book about Kick I plan to read as well) & I've read a book about eldest daughter Rosemary but I really want a book about firstborn son Joe Jr.
Who do I recommend Kick to. Kennedyophiles like myself & Nonfiction lovers.
Who do I recommend Kick to. Kennedyophiles like myself & Nonfiction lovers.
March 14, 2021
Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy was born into privilege, wore beautiful clothes and attended lavish parties. She was a good catholic girl as well as charming and gracious. She worked for the war effort. Kick fell in love with an Anglican English lord causing concern for both families. They married. The lord died much too young. She mourned; fell in love with another "unsuitable" man. Kick died tragically. The end. This biography was not much more than a cataloging of Kick Kennedy's short life. Reading about someone who is portrayed as just shy of perfect is tiresome. Kick never comes to life on these pages. Die hard Kennedy fans may enjoy it.
June 11, 2019
RATING: 3 STARS
2016; Harper/Harper Collins
(Review Not on Blog)
Kick is Kathleen Kennedy...the sister of John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy...the daughter of Rose and Joe Kennedy. I respect Byrne's research for this book and learning more about Kathleen Kennedy. Yet, this book seems more about everyone around her with few of her stories sprinkled throughout. We find out she is the second eldest girl and the fourth child (of nine) in the Kennedy clan. She is spirited and a bit of a rebel. People cannot help but be attracted to her especially her brother, Jack and her father. I enjoyed this book but I have more questions now!
***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***
2016; Harper/Harper Collins
(Review Not on Blog)
Kick is Kathleen Kennedy...the sister of John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy...the daughter of Rose and Joe Kennedy. I respect Byrne's research for this book and learning more about Kathleen Kennedy. Yet, this book seems more about everyone around her with few of her stories sprinkled throughout. We find out she is the second eldest girl and the fourth child (of nine) in the Kennedy clan. She is spirited and a bit of a rebel. People cannot help but be attracted to her especially her brother, Jack and her father. I enjoyed this book but I have more questions now!
***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***
May 13, 2022
The topic is very interesting, I do enjoy reading about The Devonshire's and their family, so a book about the Kennedy family link was always going to get my attention.
Sadly this felt like a series of chapters based on hear-say, school reports and public domain info rather than an in-depth book on a very interesting person.
Still, glad someone wrote the story down and I read it 👍
Sadly this felt like a series of chapters based on hear-say, school reports and public domain info rather than an in-depth book on a very interesting person.
Still, glad someone wrote the story down and I read it 👍
January 6, 2018
Highly enjoyable biography of Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy, fourth of the nine Kennedy kids. There is a decent amount of material on the early life and marriage of the Kennedy matriarch and patriarch as well. I loved reading and learning about the Kennedy’s, and Kick and all the things she was involved in and her funny with others. She saw and lived through a lot in her young life. I think it’s a great starting place for information on Kick. There wasn’t as much as I would have liked on her after Billy died. I wanted more details than this book was able to give. But overall a very good read!
July 2, 2016
Kick Kennedy was JFK's favourite sister and this is her story. She was a bright light in her own right. Bubbly,vivacious, popular, clever, caring, she certainly made quite an impact on those who knew her. Before reading this biography I knew very little about her. She lived life fully, was an asset to the Kennedys and would probably have been as famous as her brother. She made England her home and against much opposition married an English Lord from one of the most affluent families in England at the time. The second world war took much away from her but her spirit was never broken but sadly her life was cut short. The tragedy that has affected the Kennedy family again and again did not spare her. For me who is fascinated with JFK and the Kennedy family this was an insightful read and a look at the family from another perspective.
October 1, 2022
I read this because Kathleen's story was tangential connected to that of the Mitford sisters, by way of Deborah, Duchess of Chatsworth, which Kathleen would have been had her husband survived WWII.
This was a good and truthful biography, and was especially revealing regarding the difficulty Kick experienced due to her Catholic faith.
This was a good and truthful biography, and was especially revealing regarding the difficulty Kick experienced due to her Catholic faith.
July 17, 2016
It seems to be the time for books about the Kennedy sisters. Recently, Rosemary: The Hidden Daughter by Kate Clifford Lawson was published and now Paula Byrne's Kick, about Kathleen Kennedy is on the shelves.
Not much has been written about Kathleen, the fourth child of Rose and Joseph Kennedy, better known as Kick. She, Joe Jr. and Jack were thick as thieves growing up together. When Joseph Kennedy was named U.S. Ambassador to England, Kick began to blossom.
She loved their time in England and when WWII was looming over England, the Kennedy clan returned to America much to Kick's dismay. She had fallen in love with Billy Hartington, the son of the Duke of Devonshire and Chatsworth.
The Kennedys were the embodiment of good Catholics and Billy's family were from the Church of England and historically hated Catholics. Though they were madly in love, their marriage would be problematic for all.
Kathleen returned home and got a job working at a Washington DC newspaper, and pining for Billy. She found a way back to England as a volunteer for the Red Cross, where she and Billy rekindled their love. Although she risked her mother's wrath, Kick accepted Billy's marriage proposal and married him outside of her deeply felt Catholic faith.
They were married for only a few months when Billy was killed in combat. Kick was devastated. She had lost her brother Joe in the war and her brother Jack was nearly killed when his PT-109 boat was destroyed in the Pacific theater.
She fought through the pain and eventually began a relationship with Peter Fitzwilliam, a married man. Kick and Peter were killed in a plane crash outside of Paris in 1948.
The first half of the book is filled with names, so many that it made my head spin. The book came to life for me in the second half, when Kick goes to England with the Red Cross. Byrne concentrates on Kick more, and the people around her less, and that strengthens the book for me.
Not much is known about Kick, or Rosemary, so these two books give us insight into these two ladies from America's most famous family. We see the strife between Rose and Kick over Kick's willingness to marry outside her faith, and Joseph's strong love and belief in his daughter to make her choice, though he disagreed with her.
I also liked reading about Kick's job in DC, how she made her way as a curious, intelligent young woman. Her relationship with her brother Jack was an important part of her life, and the death of his two closest siblings just a few years apart must have impacted Jack in a powerful way.
I recommend Kick for fans of the Kennedy family, as well as for anyone who likes a memoir about strong women.
Not much has been written about Kathleen, the fourth child of Rose and Joseph Kennedy, better known as Kick. She, Joe Jr. and Jack were thick as thieves growing up together. When Joseph Kennedy was named U.S. Ambassador to England, Kick began to blossom.
She loved their time in England and when WWII was looming over England, the Kennedy clan returned to America much to Kick's dismay. She had fallen in love with Billy Hartington, the son of the Duke of Devonshire and Chatsworth.
The Kennedys were the embodiment of good Catholics and Billy's family were from the Church of England and historically hated Catholics. Though they were madly in love, their marriage would be problematic for all.
Kathleen returned home and got a job working at a Washington DC newspaper, and pining for Billy. She found a way back to England as a volunteer for the Red Cross, where she and Billy rekindled their love. Although she risked her mother's wrath, Kick accepted Billy's marriage proposal and married him outside of her deeply felt Catholic faith.
They were married for only a few months when Billy was killed in combat. Kick was devastated. She had lost her brother Joe in the war and her brother Jack was nearly killed when his PT-109 boat was destroyed in the Pacific theater.
She fought through the pain and eventually began a relationship with Peter Fitzwilliam, a married man. Kick and Peter were killed in a plane crash outside of Paris in 1948.
The first half of the book is filled with names, so many that it made my head spin. The book came to life for me in the second half, when Kick goes to England with the Red Cross. Byrne concentrates on Kick more, and the people around her less, and that strengthens the book for me.
Not much is known about Kick, or Rosemary, so these two books give us insight into these two ladies from America's most famous family. We see the strife between Rose and Kick over Kick's willingness to marry outside her faith, and Joseph's strong love and belief in his daughter to make her choice, though he disagreed with her.
I also liked reading about Kick's job in DC, how she made her way as a curious, intelligent young woman. Her relationship with her brother Jack was an important part of her life, and the death of his two closest siblings just a few years apart must have impacted Jack in a powerful way.
I recommend Kick for fans of the Kennedy family, as well as for anyone who likes a memoir about strong women.
December 22, 2016
I've never been a fan or follower of the Kennedy's but you can't be an American and not be totally ignorant of the dynasty. I knew the least about Kathleen 'Kick' Kennedy and I like biographies and saw this at the library and decided to give it a go. I'm glad I did. It's quite sobering and it made me think a lot more about Jack Kennedy (John F.) of whom I've always had a negative impression. Frankly, I have held a less than robust opinion of most of the Kennedy's because I hold ethics and morality in high esteem and they've seemed to not have much of it. But, we grow older and wiser and learn not to judge so harshly. I think losing a peer/sibling changes one irrevocably. Feelings of survivor's guilt, the taste of bitterness and wrapped in mourning for them as well as yourself. So within a few years of each other, John F. Kennedy 'lost' his sister, Rosemary to a lobotomy, and both his elder brother and his sister (to whom he was closest) in plane crashes. This was just the beginning of the Kennedy tragedies.
I felt Paula Byrne did a good job in bringing Kick Kennedy to life. I felt like I got a good idea of her life and times. She lived life to the fullest for her 28 years on this planet. One wonders..........
I felt Paula Byrne did a good job in bringing Kick Kennedy to life. I felt like I got a good idea of her life and times. She lived life to the fullest for her 28 years on this planet. One wonders..........
July 12, 2016
Byrne's biography of President Kennedy's adventurous and closest sister is heavily foot-noted but that does not make it any less biased. The author is apparently enraptured by the Kennedy daughter who is most known as a rebel and socialite, all the while living off of her father's money. If Byrne is to be believed Kick played a part in her own tragic death at the age of twenty-eight. While entertaining, the young woman comes off as a spoiled, rich girl.
January 3, 2023
This biography moves right along and is about so much more than the second oldest Kennedy daughter. I'd like to return to Chatsworth now!
August 24, 2016
I have read three books this summer about Kathleen - Kathleen by Leaming, That Kennedy Girl by DeMaria and this account. This book was the best of all three - Byrne's research produced a thorough history of her short life. The book confirms what we all know - a) that Rose Kennedy was a selfish , narrow minded woman who cared more about how her family was perceived than the children's needs and happiness ; and b) that her father worshipped the almighty dollar but did care more for his kids than Rose did. This is a wonderful story of a remarkable woman who chose to make a life in England. A good book and an interesting account of a Kennedy that most of us don't remember. I enjoyed learning what life was like both pre and post WW ll for the people of England
September 12, 2016
Another exciting fascinating and exceptionally written and researched Kennedy book: "Kick: The True Story of Kick Kennedy, JFK's Forgotten Sister and the Heir to Chatsworth" authored by British biographer Paula Byrne, reveals new details about a favorite Kennedy daughter and beloved sister of JFK-- Kathleen Agnes "Kick" Kennedy Cavendish (1920-1948).
As a youth, Kick remained obedient, chaste, devoted to the Irish Catholic faith with her large family, closely supervised by Rose. Her brother's followed the guidance of their father, where the Kennedy children would observe the vast differences between rules and social expectations for males and females. This would be apparent when Joe Sr. brought his glamourous mistress to Hyannis Port in 1928. At 10 years of age Kick visited the White House, and later vacationed in Russia, Italy and parts of Europe with Rose. The Kennedy's believed experience was better than classroom study. In 1937, Joe was a powerful political figure and was appointed by FDR as the British Ambassador.
The British press loved the Kennedy's-- especially Kick, she was beautiful with her dazzling smile, kind, intelligent, and utterly charming. Everyone who met her adored her, and she had a flock of male suitors. Rose ever watchful, sought to keep her isolated in all girl private schools. Joe Jr., JFK and Kick were all very close: friends observed "like a family within a family". Kick worried about JFK's health and encouraged him to have fun at school, which nearly got him expelled. Eventually her brothers failed to see why Kick was so interested in "Billy" William Cavendish Marquess of Hartington (1917-1944): the eldest son of the 10th Duke (Edward) and Duchess (Mary) of Devonshire, and heir to Chatsworth. Unfortunately, Billy's family was one of the most anti-Catholic in England, the opposition dated back to the 17th century, his father would never consent to his heir being a Roman Catholic. Naturally, the Kennedy's opposed the relationship and conspired to keep Kick away from him. With WWII looming, Joe's unpopular opposition to the war (and the possibility of loosing his sons in combat), the Kennedy's returned to the U.S. in 1940.
With a job as a secretary at the Washington Times Herald, Kick never gave up her wish to return to England and Billy. Word reached her he was in a relationship with Sally Norton, and this must have devastated her. Unable to secure her parents consent to return to England, she joined the American Red Cross. This likely impressed Joe who stressed the importance of civic duties. In her drab grey uniform Kick returned to England as a "Doughnut Dollie" in 1943. Kick's romance with Billy could easily be the theme of a historical romance novel, she wasted no time getting back together with her beloved beau. They were married in a civil ceremony at the Chelsea Register Office in Westminster, London on May 06, 1944. Joe Jr. was the only Kennedy family member in attendance.
Byrne portrays Kick as an independent feminist kind of woman way ahead of her time. A free thinker, open minded, and daring enough to go for what she wanted! Kick resisted the unconventional example of her parents marriage, and the role of her philandering father and brothers, who dated married women. Unlike her father and brothers, Billy was opposite of them to her. The Cavendish family all loved Kick dearly, and were so proud and happy to have her a part of their family. This alone must have been refreshing change after the strict intolerance and disapproval from her parents. Kick must have relished this unconditional love and acceptance.
In widowhood, Kick's choice to enter a relationship with the 8th Earl Peter Fitzwilliam (1910-1948) was surprising. An older very experienced lover and womanizer, a seemingly reckless man and daring gambler, her closest friends didn't understand nor approve. In flight to France when their plane crashed, the true nature of their relationship was kept out of the newspapers. Kathleen Agnes Kennedy Cavendish the Marchioness of Hartington was laid to rest on the Chatsworth estate, St. Peter's Church, Edensor, Derbyshire England.
Many thanks to the Seattle Public Library.
As a youth, Kick remained obedient, chaste, devoted to the Irish Catholic faith with her large family, closely supervised by Rose. Her brother's followed the guidance of their father, where the Kennedy children would observe the vast differences between rules and social expectations for males and females. This would be apparent when Joe Sr. brought his glamourous mistress to Hyannis Port in 1928. At 10 years of age Kick visited the White House, and later vacationed in Russia, Italy and parts of Europe with Rose. The Kennedy's believed experience was better than classroom study. In 1937, Joe was a powerful political figure and was appointed by FDR as the British Ambassador.
The British press loved the Kennedy's-- especially Kick, she was beautiful with her dazzling smile, kind, intelligent, and utterly charming. Everyone who met her adored her, and she had a flock of male suitors. Rose ever watchful, sought to keep her isolated in all girl private schools. Joe Jr., JFK and Kick were all very close: friends observed "like a family within a family". Kick worried about JFK's health and encouraged him to have fun at school, which nearly got him expelled. Eventually her brothers failed to see why Kick was so interested in "Billy" William Cavendish Marquess of Hartington (1917-1944): the eldest son of the 10th Duke (Edward) and Duchess (Mary) of Devonshire, and heir to Chatsworth. Unfortunately, Billy's family was one of the most anti-Catholic in England, the opposition dated back to the 17th century, his father would never consent to his heir being a Roman Catholic. Naturally, the Kennedy's opposed the relationship and conspired to keep Kick away from him. With WWII looming, Joe's unpopular opposition to the war (and the possibility of loosing his sons in combat), the Kennedy's returned to the U.S. in 1940.
With a job as a secretary at the Washington Times Herald, Kick never gave up her wish to return to England and Billy. Word reached her he was in a relationship with Sally Norton, and this must have devastated her. Unable to secure her parents consent to return to England, she joined the American Red Cross. This likely impressed Joe who stressed the importance of civic duties. In her drab grey uniform Kick returned to England as a "Doughnut Dollie" in 1943. Kick's romance with Billy could easily be the theme of a historical romance novel, she wasted no time getting back together with her beloved beau. They were married in a civil ceremony at the Chelsea Register Office in Westminster, London on May 06, 1944. Joe Jr. was the only Kennedy family member in attendance.
Byrne portrays Kick as an independent feminist kind of woman way ahead of her time. A free thinker, open minded, and daring enough to go for what she wanted! Kick resisted the unconventional example of her parents marriage, and the role of her philandering father and brothers, who dated married women. Unlike her father and brothers, Billy was opposite of them to her. The Cavendish family all loved Kick dearly, and were so proud and happy to have her a part of their family. This alone must have been refreshing change after the strict intolerance and disapproval from her parents. Kick must have relished this unconditional love and acceptance.
In widowhood, Kick's choice to enter a relationship with the 8th Earl Peter Fitzwilliam (1910-1948) was surprising. An older very experienced lover and womanizer, a seemingly reckless man and daring gambler, her closest friends didn't understand nor approve. In flight to France when their plane crashed, the true nature of their relationship was kept out of the newspapers. Kathleen Agnes Kennedy Cavendish the Marchioness of Hartington was laid to rest on the Chatsworth estate, St. Peter's Church, Edensor, Derbyshire England.
Many thanks to the Seattle Public Library.
August 4, 2016
How fun to have two new Kick books after there's been nothing since Lynne McTaggert's 1984 book.
Was disappointed by the Barbara Leaming book. It includes unique stuff from her interview with the old Duke Andrew--but I could not find Kick in Leaming's pages. The effervescent young woman is replaced with carefully-phrased reports from friends who knew her.
For me, Byrne has captured Kick.
Something that jumps out of the story--the limitations on women. Smart, well-connected Rose Kennedy could best hope for a good marriage. She might want to be an Ambassador to a foreign country, for example--but to achieve that goal, with a family, not very likely.
So she gets a fancy, well-off life--and the opportunity to be the Ambassador's wife at the Court of Saint James--but she must by yoked to Joe Kennedy, Sr. to maintain her position. And Joe is such a jerk, his affairs being disrespectful to Rose as well as turning her, and her attempts to have a model Catholic family, into a joke.
I wonder if the ambassadorships of Jean Kennedy (a Rose daughter) and Caroline (a Rose granddaughter) were--somehow--a fulfillment of a Rose desire.
Despite the above, there is another side to marriages like Rose and Joe's and, perhaps, the Clintons. Clearly Rose and Joe had created something that was far greater than a personal romance between them. More than something resembling a typical family, they created something that more resembled a business or non-profit. As if the image of "The Kennedys" had a power and an objective that it was Rose's job to contribute to the world.
Still, Joe's treatment of her--in part because there was such a strong Kennedy image--was an intense broadcast of poor treatment towards women that may have been followed by others. Even today, Maria Shriver stays married to Arnold despite how he has treated her.
As Kick's wedding to Billy approaches, and its clear that much grief was heaped upon Kick for the "crime" of even thinking of marrying a non-Catholic, the reader might want to punch someone. Like the mother who has a nervous breakdown (dumping guilt upon her daughter) for fear of her daughter's eternal soul (dumping fear upon her daughter)--and concern that Kick's act will harm the image of the Kennedys as one of America's top Catholic families. What about those sons who were having multiple affairs--and with married woman (breaking a commandant no less)? And Rose herself presenting the lie that her family is a good Catholic family despite her husband's many affairs? Just really anger making.
Want to mention Kick's war work--sounds like an ideal: serving doughnuts and sandwiches to GIs, also playing games with them and entering ping pong matches as well as much dancing. Yet the job was so important to lonely boys seeing few young woman and missing American girls. Also it was not without its dangers, given that with all the bombing London was little safer than the front lines.
Was disappointed by the Barbara Leaming book. It includes unique stuff from her interview with the old Duke Andrew--but I could not find Kick in Leaming's pages. The effervescent young woman is replaced with carefully-phrased reports from friends who knew her.
For me, Byrne has captured Kick.
Something that jumps out of the story--the limitations on women. Smart, well-connected Rose Kennedy could best hope for a good marriage. She might want to be an Ambassador to a foreign country, for example--but to achieve that goal, with a family, not very likely.
So she gets a fancy, well-off life--and the opportunity to be the Ambassador's wife at the Court of Saint James--but she must by yoked to Joe Kennedy, Sr. to maintain her position. And Joe is such a jerk, his affairs being disrespectful to Rose as well as turning her, and her attempts to have a model Catholic family, into a joke.
I wonder if the ambassadorships of Jean Kennedy (a Rose daughter) and Caroline (a Rose granddaughter) were--somehow--a fulfillment of a Rose desire.
Despite the above, there is another side to marriages like Rose and Joe's and, perhaps, the Clintons. Clearly Rose and Joe had created something that was far greater than a personal romance between them. More than something resembling a typical family, they created something that more resembled a business or non-profit. As if the image of "The Kennedys" had a power and an objective that it was Rose's job to contribute to the world.
Still, Joe's treatment of her--in part because there was such a strong Kennedy image--was an intense broadcast of poor treatment towards women that may have been followed by others. Even today, Maria Shriver stays married to Arnold despite how he has treated her.
As Kick's wedding to Billy approaches, and its clear that much grief was heaped upon Kick for the "crime" of even thinking of marrying a non-Catholic, the reader might want to punch someone. Like the mother who has a nervous breakdown (dumping guilt upon her daughter) for fear of her daughter's eternal soul (dumping fear upon her daughter)--and concern that Kick's act will harm the image of the Kennedys as one of America's top Catholic families. What about those sons who were having multiple affairs--and with married woman (breaking a commandant no less)? And Rose herself presenting the lie that her family is a good Catholic family despite her husband's many affairs? Just really anger making.
Want to mention Kick's war work--sounds like an ideal: serving doughnuts and sandwiches to GIs, also playing games with them and entering ping pong matches as well as much dancing. Yet the job was so important to lonely boys seeing few young woman and missing American girls. Also it was not without its dangers, given that with all the bombing London was little safer than the front lines.
January 28, 2019
If there is a thoughtful work on JFK’s ill-fated sister, Kathleen, this isn’t it. But is that due to the lack of skill by the author? Or because “Kick” Kennedy herself was so very shallow?
Born into the wealthy family headed by Rose and Joe Kennedy, Kick, like her siblings, benefitted from tremendous opportunities. She grows up in several lavish homes, travels widely, hobnobs with celebrated persons, and does a lot of shopping and partying. No one regards her as a great beauty and even her family concedes that she is no intellectual. Still, she reportedly charms everyone she meets and men fall at her feet continually. (The author never passed up a chance to tell the reader about EVERY man who worshipped her.)
Kick spends time in England during WWII and worked for the Red Cross. (Though she never seems to have let work interfere with her partying.) In 1944, defying her very Roman Catholic parents, she marries Billy Hartington, a British aristocrat who is an Anglican. Four months later he is killed in action in Belgium. Several years later, Kick begins an even less approved relationship with another Protestant, who is also a married man; the 8th Earl Fitzwilliam. The two of them are killed in an airplane crash in 1948.
As uncharitable as it sounds: that’s about it for Kathleen.
The author doesn’t delve very deeply into how Rose’s excessive religiosity crippled the Kennedys, especially daughters, like Kick. Or how Joe Kennedy’s philandering impacted Kick’s thoughts about men and marriage. The author does detail every single party Kick, as well as what she wore to the party. We rarely hear Kick’s voice, except in casual letters to family. We don’t really learn what makes her tick.
The premature death of any human being is tragic. Her siblings, who were also rather callow in youth, eventually matured and became thoughtful people of stature and sensitivity. Perhaps Kick would have done the same. We’ll never know.
A side note: Here and there Byrne touches on the life of Rosemary, the Kennedy daughter who underwent a botched lobotomy and was rarely mentioned by the Kennedys in years thereafter. How Byrne relates Rosemary’s story seems dismissive. This is jarring to anyone who has read Kate Clifford Larson’s sensitive book, “Rosemary.” Larson’s book is far better than Byrne’s.
Born into the wealthy family headed by Rose and Joe Kennedy, Kick, like her siblings, benefitted from tremendous opportunities. She grows up in several lavish homes, travels widely, hobnobs with celebrated persons, and does a lot of shopping and partying. No one regards her as a great beauty and even her family concedes that she is no intellectual. Still, she reportedly charms everyone she meets and men fall at her feet continually. (The author never passed up a chance to tell the reader about EVERY man who worshipped her.)
Kick spends time in England during WWII and worked for the Red Cross. (Though she never seems to have let work interfere with her partying.) In 1944, defying her very Roman Catholic parents, she marries Billy Hartington, a British aristocrat who is an Anglican. Four months later he is killed in action in Belgium. Several years later, Kick begins an even less approved relationship with another Protestant, who is also a married man; the 8th Earl Fitzwilliam. The two of them are killed in an airplane crash in 1948.
As uncharitable as it sounds: that’s about it for Kathleen.
The author doesn’t delve very deeply into how Rose’s excessive religiosity crippled the Kennedys, especially daughters, like Kick. Or how Joe Kennedy’s philandering impacted Kick’s thoughts about men and marriage. The author does detail every single party Kick, as well as what she wore to the party. We rarely hear Kick’s voice, except in casual letters to family. We don’t really learn what makes her tick.
The premature death of any human being is tragic. Her siblings, who were also rather callow in youth, eventually matured and became thoughtful people of stature and sensitivity. Perhaps Kick would have done the same. We’ll never know.
A side note: Here and there Byrne touches on the life of Rosemary, the Kennedy daughter who underwent a botched lobotomy and was rarely mentioned by the Kennedys in years thereafter. How Byrne relates Rosemary’s story seems dismissive. This is jarring to anyone who has read Kate Clifford Larson’s sensitive book, “Rosemary.” Larson’s book is far better than Byrne’s.
March 30, 2017
I don't know which Kick Kennedy biography I prefer, this one or Barbara Leaming's. It's kind of wonderful that after decades without much being written about her life, two biographies got published in the same year.
While reading the first few chapters, I thought that I would wind up liking this one far more because I so appreciated that it started from Kick's birth. The Leaming biography began with Kick landing in England in her late teens. I can't even recall if it mentioned that Kick had been there before. It's something I certainly didn't realize until I got to this book. I'd say this one presented the Kennedy clan in a sort of whitewashed manner in the early chapters, but it was still fun to read.
My biggest gripe about this book is how fangirly, for lack of a better word, it is. Kick is always the bright-eyed heroine and even potential shortcomings are presented in such a way as to display Kick in the best light possible. All the boys love her and all the girls want to be her friend. I did appreciate that the Leaming biography seemed to show that Kick was what most of us would, for all intents and purposes, call a good and kind person, but still flawed, spoiled, and incredibly self-absorbed. This book presents any flaws, selfishness, or naiveté on Kick's part in a fey, sort of cutesy way. Mary Sue Kick Kennedy shines through often.
Despite its issues, I won't deny I found it tons of fun! It is a light, entertaining read that doesn't feel entirely mindless. There's no denying that Kick lived an extraordinary, outsized life in her 28 years and probably was about as close as it comes to a real life Mary Sue.
4 stars
While reading the first few chapters, I thought that I would wind up liking this one far more because I so appreciated that it started from Kick's birth. The Leaming biography began with Kick landing in England in her late teens. I can't even recall if it mentioned that Kick had been there before. It's something I certainly didn't realize until I got to this book. I'd say this one presented the Kennedy clan in a sort of whitewashed manner in the early chapters, but it was still fun to read.
My biggest gripe about this book is how fangirly, for lack of a better word, it is. Kick is always the bright-eyed heroine and even potential shortcomings are presented in such a way as to display Kick in the best light possible. All the boys love her and all the girls want to be her friend. I did appreciate that the Leaming biography seemed to show that Kick was what most of us would, for all intents and purposes, call a good and kind person, but still flawed, spoiled, and incredibly self-absorbed. This book presents any flaws, selfishness, or naiveté on Kick's part in a fey, sort of cutesy way. Mary Sue Kick Kennedy shines through often.
Despite its issues, I won't deny I found it tons of fun! It is a light, entertaining read that doesn't feel entirely mindless. There's no denying that Kick lived an extraordinary, outsized life in her 28 years and probably was about as close as it comes to a real life Mary Sue.
4 stars
July 29, 2016
Charming and well written account of Kathleen Kennedy's very short but very full life, easy to read and insightful, telling of her love of London and the struggle to find a way to marry the love of her life Billy, both from different religious backgrounds, it proved an almost impossibility. Tragedy is to strike however as we know but it's been lovely to find out about this effervescent and much loved young Kennedy lady.
January 5, 2019
Absolutely wonderful biography of a very fascinating and tragic young lady and an intimate look into the Kennedy family, a short life fully lived , brilliantly researched and a great read. I came across Kick Kennedy in the equally brilliant black diamonds book last year . A highly recommended entertaining biography
October 19, 2016
What an interesting life Kick lead, and how sad that I haven't heard about her before.
October 2, 2018
The Kennedy family is often touted as “America’s Royal Family.” President Kennedy’s administration is known as “Camelot” for the mythical England of King Arthur and the Round Table. They have a few things in common with the British Royal Family–in both families, there was a loving father who was a serial womanizer (Edward VII) and the adored Crown Prince (first Prince Albert Victor and then in the next generation, Edward VIII) was “lost” and the second son became the Crowned Prince and eventual King. But in both families it is the women who had the true strength.
It was Rose Kennedy (and Queen Alexandra) who lived with their husband’s philandering. It was Rose Kennedy (and Queens Alexandra and Mary) who lost their beloved eldest sons who should have worn the crown. It was Kathleen Kennedy (and Princess Mary and Princess Elizabeth) who served their country in war (Kathleen in the Red Cross, Princess Mary as a nurse and Princess Elizabeth, briefly, as a driver and mechanic). It was the Kennedy women and their tea parties who did the most to elect President Kennedy to each office he held.
Kathleen was not, as is often thought, the eldest Kennedy daughter–see was the second, after Rosemary, who later suffered the horrible lobotomy. Kathleen, known as “Kick” was regarded by most as a virtual twin of her brother Jack in both looks and temperament. Both had trouble fully loving anyone, both were risk takers, both lived life in the moment. Unlike Jack, Kick had the devout Roman Catholic faith of her mother, Rose.
Like all her siblings, she adored her father, often in spite of his behavior or political views, and feared her mother. Kick and Rosemary (pre-lobotomy) helped secure the family’s fame by being presented to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (best remembered as “The Queen Mother”) in 1938 when Joseph Kennedy was the first Irish Catholic to be America’s Ambassador to Britain. This launched Kick on the social scene of aristocratic Britain. All of the names you hear today around Queen Elizabeth, the Prince of Wales and even Prince William are the parents or grandparents (even great-grandparents) of Kick’s circle.
Kathleen was far better educated than many in her circle–not only because of being sent to the convent schools of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart in the US and France. Her “real” education occurred at the fabled Kennedy dinner table were Rose would earlier in the day tack up a newspaper clipping or magazine article or something similar to be the focus of the night’s conversation. After each of the nine children had reported to Father and Mother on his or her day, the conversation began and each child, regardless of age, was expected to have an opinion and defend it on the topic of the day. British aristocrats sons had this education in the Oxford [University] Union debates. Kick had it from birth.
This holding of opinions and not being afraid to air them marked her as wildly different from most British upper-class girls who, as Downton’s Dowager Countess of Grantham said, would have opinions once they married and their husbands told them what they were. Kick became a near daughter to the famed American-born female Member of Parliament, Lady Astor of Cliveden [the house that is now the hotel Meghan Markle stayed in the night before her wedding to Prince Harry]. This helped Kick to make a name for herself and to make good friends–among them a young man with a destiny almost as great as that planned for Kick’s eldest brother, Joe, Jr who was to be President.
This young man was William Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington, heir to one of the greatest houses and oldest Dukedoms in Britain. Billy, as the future Duke of Devonshire was known, was the scion of one of the oldest and most vocal protestant families in the country–the Duke of Devonshire having the “living” (i.e. the salary, housing, etc) over 40 Church of England clergy in his estate. It seems inevitable that this man would fall for the very devoutly Roman Catholic Kick, who at this stage of her life believed birth control was murder and that her immortal soul was in danger from many things in life.
Sadly, when the war moved from Phoney War to Blitzkrieg, and Joe Kennedy made defeatist statements that got him sent home, Kick had to return with her family to America. She tried to get over Billy. He even became engaged to someone else, briefly. But, he couldn’t get over Kick. That he planned a political career and that she would be an outstanding political wife was not lost on him, but it was her storied vitality that was the true attraction. The couple had spent countless nights sitting up in great country houses talking about everything. They just “knew” they were meant to be together. Finally, after a few years Kick return to England and to Billy. He could not marry a Catholic–his son, should he have one, would eventually be the Duke of Devonshire and MUST be a Protestant. Thanks to a change by the Catholic Church only a few years before, Kick could not marry a Protestant unless he promised all children would be raised Catholic. Impasse. They wrung their hands, they talked, the consulted. Finally, the basically had to just say “to heck with it” and marry in a civil ceremony like Prince Charles and Camilla. Only weeks later, Billy was killed.
My Thoughts
I began to wonder if all of Kick’s moralizing about her faith wasn’t a sort of cover for not being sure enough about Billy, but in the end, I decided it was real. Her father and brothers were very worldly, she and her sisters were not. I believe she and Billy truly did love each other. The proof, to me, were the actions of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. They truly welcomed her. That would not have happened if they didn’t mean it. They’d have gone thru the motions for appearance’s sake. They attended the wedding and more–they took Kick as a daughter.
But it was after Billy’s death that Kick puzzles me. She was a very young widow which was sad enough. But she was cheated of a grand role in life–Duchess of Devonshire. And the young lady who got it–the wife of yet another second son who became Crowned Prince and King, was the British version of Kick. She was Deborah–Debo Mitford of the famed Mitford sisters. Two of her famous sisters were Nazi’s. One, Unity stalked Hitler until she became his friend and shot herself in a suicide bid (unsuccessfully) when war was declared. Another sister was a Communist. Her only brother, the last heir to a title, was killed in the war. Debo would become THE Duchess of Devonshire–the one who saved Chatsworth, befriended the Prince of Wales and created the Country House Industry.
As a widow, a citizen by marriage, she considered standing for Parliament like her surrogate mother, Lady Astor. She planned to use her home as a political salon like Cliveden was before the war. No less than Anthony Eden payed court and was interested in marrying her. Imagine a Kennedy helping navigate the Suez Crisis!! Eden might have survived! He married Churchill’s equally original niece, Clarissa, instead–both ladies were a generation or two younger than Eden.
As one friend wrote on her death, she lost her “rudder” when Billy died. So, instead of being a force in British Conservative Party circles (or even wife of a future Prime Minister) she discovered a man like her father. She fell into a passionate love which sounded way, way more like a passionate case of lust. All her hemming and hawing over marriage to Protestant, decent, honorable Billy Hartington went out the window. Not only was Peter, Earl Fitzwilliam, 10 years older but he was married and had a daughter. This did not stop the widowed Kick. Sadly, the two died on a flight that should not have taken off. The young lady who’d thought birth control was murder and all the rest died on a get-away with a rakish lover. Jack Kennedy was so distraught that he could not attend her funeral.
It was the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire who honored her with the funeral mass in London–yes, Catholic mass. They then buried her at Chatsworth. Years later, President Kennedy, on his state visit to Ireland, came to Chatsworth by chopper to finally visit his sister’s grave. Bobby Kennedy honored her by naming the eldest of his 11 children “Kathleen Hartington Kennedy” but ordered she was never to be called Kick. Sadly, his order has been forgotten and the current Kathleen Kennedy IS called Kick. That nickname should have been a one-off like the woman who earned it.
Did You Know?
The Marquess of Hartington was Godfather to Andrew Parker-Bowles.
Other Kennedy Book’s I’ve Reviewed.
Click the linked title to read the review.
Ocean Liner by Marius Gabriel [fiction] a “What if?” story of Rosemary Kennedy https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpr...
Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Sister by Kate Clifford Larson https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpr...
It was Rose Kennedy (and Queen Alexandra) who lived with their husband’s philandering. It was Rose Kennedy (and Queens Alexandra and Mary) who lost their beloved eldest sons who should have worn the crown. It was Kathleen Kennedy (and Princess Mary and Princess Elizabeth) who served their country in war (Kathleen in the Red Cross, Princess Mary as a nurse and Princess Elizabeth, briefly, as a driver and mechanic). It was the Kennedy women and their tea parties who did the most to elect President Kennedy to each office he held.
Kathleen was not, as is often thought, the eldest Kennedy daughter–see was the second, after Rosemary, who later suffered the horrible lobotomy. Kathleen, known as “Kick” was regarded by most as a virtual twin of her brother Jack in both looks and temperament. Both had trouble fully loving anyone, both were risk takers, both lived life in the moment. Unlike Jack, Kick had the devout Roman Catholic faith of her mother, Rose.
Like all her siblings, she adored her father, often in spite of his behavior or political views, and feared her mother. Kick and Rosemary (pre-lobotomy) helped secure the family’s fame by being presented to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (best remembered as “The Queen Mother”) in 1938 when Joseph Kennedy was the first Irish Catholic to be America’s Ambassador to Britain. This launched Kick on the social scene of aristocratic Britain. All of the names you hear today around Queen Elizabeth, the Prince of Wales and even Prince William are the parents or grandparents (even great-grandparents) of Kick’s circle.
Kathleen was far better educated than many in her circle–not only because of being sent to the convent schools of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart in the US and France. Her “real” education occurred at the fabled Kennedy dinner table were Rose would earlier in the day tack up a newspaper clipping or magazine article or something similar to be the focus of the night’s conversation. After each of the nine children had reported to Father and Mother on his or her day, the conversation began and each child, regardless of age, was expected to have an opinion and defend it on the topic of the day. British aristocrats sons had this education in the Oxford [University] Union debates. Kick had it from birth.
This holding of opinions and not being afraid to air them marked her as wildly different from most British upper-class girls who, as Downton’s Dowager Countess of Grantham said, would have opinions once they married and their husbands told them what they were. Kick became a near daughter to the famed American-born female Member of Parliament, Lady Astor of Cliveden [the house that is now the hotel Meghan Markle stayed in the night before her wedding to Prince Harry]. This helped Kick to make a name for herself and to make good friends–among them a young man with a destiny almost as great as that planned for Kick’s eldest brother, Joe, Jr who was to be President.
This young man was William Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington, heir to one of the greatest houses and oldest Dukedoms in Britain. Billy, as the future Duke of Devonshire was known, was the scion of one of the oldest and most vocal protestant families in the country–the Duke of Devonshire having the “living” (i.e. the salary, housing, etc) over 40 Church of England clergy in his estate. It seems inevitable that this man would fall for the very devoutly Roman Catholic Kick, who at this stage of her life believed birth control was murder and that her immortal soul was in danger from many things in life.
Sadly, when the war moved from Phoney War to Blitzkrieg, and Joe Kennedy made defeatist statements that got him sent home, Kick had to return with her family to America. She tried to get over Billy. He even became engaged to someone else, briefly. But, he couldn’t get over Kick. That he planned a political career and that she would be an outstanding political wife was not lost on him, but it was her storied vitality that was the true attraction. The couple had spent countless nights sitting up in great country houses talking about everything. They just “knew” they were meant to be together. Finally, after a few years Kick return to England and to Billy. He could not marry a Catholic–his son, should he have one, would eventually be the Duke of Devonshire and MUST be a Protestant. Thanks to a change by the Catholic Church only a few years before, Kick could not marry a Protestant unless he promised all children would be raised Catholic. Impasse. They wrung their hands, they talked, the consulted. Finally, the basically had to just say “to heck with it” and marry in a civil ceremony like Prince Charles and Camilla. Only weeks later, Billy was killed.
My Thoughts
I began to wonder if all of Kick’s moralizing about her faith wasn’t a sort of cover for not being sure enough about Billy, but in the end, I decided it was real. Her father and brothers were very worldly, she and her sisters were not. I believe she and Billy truly did love each other. The proof, to me, were the actions of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. They truly welcomed her. That would not have happened if they didn’t mean it. They’d have gone thru the motions for appearance’s sake. They attended the wedding and more–they took Kick as a daughter.
But it was after Billy’s death that Kick puzzles me. She was a very young widow which was sad enough. But she was cheated of a grand role in life–Duchess of Devonshire. And the young lady who got it–the wife of yet another second son who became Crowned Prince and King, was the British version of Kick. She was Deborah–Debo Mitford of the famed Mitford sisters. Two of her famous sisters were Nazi’s. One, Unity stalked Hitler until she became his friend and shot herself in a suicide bid (unsuccessfully) when war was declared. Another sister was a Communist. Her only brother, the last heir to a title, was killed in the war. Debo would become THE Duchess of Devonshire–the one who saved Chatsworth, befriended the Prince of Wales and created the Country House Industry.
As a widow, a citizen by marriage, she considered standing for Parliament like her surrogate mother, Lady Astor. She planned to use her home as a political salon like Cliveden was before the war. No less than Anthony Eden payed court and was interested in marrying her. Imagine a Kennedy helping navigate the Suez Crisis!! Eden might have survived! He married Churchill’s equally original niece, Clarissa, instead–both ladies were a generation or two younger than Eden.
As one friend wrote on her death, she lost her “rudder” when Billy died. So, instead of being a force in British Conservative Party circles (or even wife of a future Prime Minister) she discovered a man like her father. She fell into a passionate love which sounded way, way more like a passionate case of lust. All her hemming and hawing over marriage to Protestant, decent, honorable Billy Hartington went out the window. Not only was Peter, Earl Fitzwilliam, 10 years older but he was married and had a daughter. This did not stop the widowed Kick. Sadly, the two died on a flight that should not have taken off. The young lady who’d thought birth control was murder and all the rest died on a get-away with a rakish lover. Jack Kennedy was so distraught that he could not attend her funeral.
It was the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire who honored her with the funeral mass in London–yes, Catholic mass. They then buried her at Chatsworth. Years later, President Kennedy, on his state visit to Ireland, came to Chatsworth by chopper to finally visit his sister’s grave. Bobby Kennedy honored her by naming the eldest of his 11 children “Kathleen Hartington Kennedy” but ordered she was never to be called Kick. Sadly, his order has been forgotten and the current Kathleen Kennedy IS called Kick. That nickname should have been a one-off like the woman who earned it.
Did You Know?
The Marquess of Hartington was Godfather to Andrew Parker-Bowles.
Other Kennedy Book’s I’ve Reviewed.
Click the linked title to read the review.
Ocean Liner by Marius Gabriel [fiction] a “What if?” story of Rosemary Kennedy https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpr...
Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Sister by Kate Clifford Larson https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpr...
July 28, 2017
Please forgive me if there are typo's, it's last and I'm writing this on the iPad. I am very glad I read this book. It was wonderfully written and has only further fueled my love of all things Mitford/Cavendish. But that's not what it was about, it was about the golden Kennedy girl.
While this book was wonderfully written, and I was given a glimpse into her life I just don't feel a connection. Perhaps my opinion has been tainted from previous snippets of information about the family's to but I still don't "like" her.
Yes she was young and her life was...tragic, to a degree. It's kind of hard to feel sorry for the poor little rich girl...
I think my enjoy,net and...endurance...of this book was completely down to the author and not necessarily the subject, but I will definitely be reading more by Paula Byrne.
While this book was wonderfully written, and I was given a glimpse into her life I just don't feel a connection. Perhaps my opinion has been tainted from previous snippets of information about the family's to but I still don't "like" her.
Yes she was young and her life was...tragic, to a degree. It's kind of hard to feel sorry for the poor little rich girl...
I think my enjoy,net and...endurance...of this book was completely down to the author and not necessarily the subject, but I will definitely be reading more by Paula Byrne.
August 6, 2017
Read this book in bits and pieces, a chapter or two here and there. It was very well researched. Byrne says she had access to the Kennedy family papers as well as the Devonshires and she made excellent use of them.
Kathleen Kennedy, aka Kick, was the free-spirited kind of woman embodied by Katherine Hepburn in many of her roles. Privileged and yet sheltered up to a point, dutiful and devout but with a desire to live and love that was so powerful it burst through propriety. The book not only gives the reader an in-depth look at her life but also that of all of the Kennedys--the good, the not-so.
Having visited Lismore twice in these past few months, I well understand what Kick loved about it and about Ireland. And having just watched Dunkirk and also centenary commemorations of Ypres, I feel sad for a life cut short by war, such as Billy Cavendish's was, and for Kick thereafter.
In all, it was a very satisfying read and is a book that I believe Kick herself would have approved of. There is no malice, no judgement in it.
Kathleen Kennedy, aka Kick, was the free-spirited kind of woman embodied by Katherine Hepburn in many of her roles. Privileged and yet sheltered up to a point, dutiful and devout but with a desire to live and love that was so powerful it burst through propriety. The book not only gives the reader an in-depth look at her life but also that of all of the Kennedys--the good, the not-so.
Having visited Lismore twice in these past few months, I well understand what Kick loved about it and about Ireland. And having just watched Dunkirk and also centenary commemorations of Ypres, I feel sad for a life cut short by war, such as Billy Cavendish's was, and for Kick thereafter.
In all, it was a very satisfying read and is a book that I believe Kick herself would have approved of. There is no malice, no judgement in it.
August 25, 2018
An interesting insight into Kick and the younger years of her Kennedy siblings.
February 18, 2019
what a wonderful biography to read. Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy. a tragic short life she led but she lived it to the fullest. The what ifs are astounding. what if
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