Title: When We Were the Kennedys: A Memoir from Mexico, Maine
Author: Monica Wood
First published July 10, 2012
256 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780547630144 (ISBN10: 054763014X)
Rating: 3.87
Overview
In the small town of Mexico, Maine in 1963, the Wood family relies on their father’s job at the Oxford Paper Company. But when their father suddenly passes away, the family is left lost and vulnerable.
When We Were the Kennedys is a poignant memoir that tells the story of how this family finds their way back to each other. With the help of Father Bob, Mum’s youngest brother who is a devoted Catholic priest, the family begins to heal.
As the nation mourns the loss of President Kennedy, Mum is inspired by the grace of Jackie Kennedy and decides to take her family on an unforgettable road trip to Washington D.C. to find their own sense of healing. This touching tale is a beautiful reminder of the power of family and the strength that can be found in times of unimaginable grief.
About the Author
Meet Monica Wood, an accomplished author who has published four works of fiction. Her most recent novel, The One-in-a-Million-Boy, was awarded the 2017 Nautilus Award (Gold) and the 2017 fiction prize from the New England Society in the City of New York.
Any Bitter Thing, another one of her novels, spent an impressive 21 weeks on the American Booksellers Association extended bestseller list and was named a Book Sense Top Ten pick. Her other works of fiction include Ernie’s Ark and My Only Story, which was a finalist for the Kate Chopin Award.
In addition to her fiction writing, Monica has also written a memoir about her upbringing in Mexico, Maine. This book, simply titled When We Were the Kennedys, has earned her several awards, including the Maine Literary Award for Memoir in 2013 and the Sarton Women’s Literary Awards for Memoir in 2012.
Editoral Review
When We Were the Kennedys: A Memoir from Mexico, Maine by Monica Wood is a stunning work that will tug at the heartstrings of readers with its poignant storytelling and the author’s seemingly effortless way of evoking nostalgia. Published on July 10, 2012, this work exists firmly in the genre of memoir and takes readers through a journey of loss, growth, and redemption while shining a spotlight on the importance of family, community, and resilience.
Set in the 1960s, When We Were the Kennedys is set in the small town of Mexico, Maine, where the author and her family lived. The novel centers on the sudden death of the author’s father and how the family navigates the emotional turmoil that follows.
The book is written in a way that immerses readers in the setting, time, and place. At the core of this memoir are the people who participated in shaping the author’s life.
Wood outlines the various characters, from her father to her siblings, in memorable ways that brings them to life. She explores the struggles they face with a skillful hand, paying attention to their inner turmoil and the struggles that come with growing up in a small town.
One of the most significant aspects of When We Were the Kennedys is how it seamlessly weaves historical and cultural significance into its narrative. In just a few pages, Wood captures the essence of the 1960s, including the anxiety and hope that followed the Cuban missile crisis and the assassination of John F.
Kennedy. She does an excellent job of using these events to contextualize the memoir and draw interesting parallels between history and the human condition.
In terms of writing, Wood’s style is sophisticated and tightly crafted. Her narrative flows smoothly, unburdened by overly sentimental or distracting prose.
Wood also manages to employ humor with great tact, ensuring readers have brief moments of comedy and respite amidst the heavier themes of the book. When We Were the Kennedys does not suffer any significant flaws.
However, some readers may find that the narrative is relatively slow-moving, particularly in the early chapters of the book. Nonetheless, the pacing serves to build the story, emphasizing the resilience of the human spirit.
Overall, When We Were the Kennedys is an excellent work that ticks all the right boxes. From the masterful narrative to the stirring character portrayals and the seamless incorporation of historical and cultural significance, the book delivers an exceptional experience to readers.
It is a memoir that anyone who values family, human resilience, and the importance of community will undoubtedly enjoy. On a scale of 1 to 10, When We Were the Kennedys scores a solid 8.5. The book’s exceptional writing, well-developed characters, and skillful incorporation of historical events make it a worthy read.
We highly recommend the book to lovers of memoirs and to anyone seeking a beautifully written book that will touch their hearts.
