Lee Bouvier (1933–2019)

I recently read the historical fiction novel "Jacqueline in Paris" by Ann Mah as well as Clint Hill’s memoir "My Travels with Mrs. Kennedy" - (I rated them both 5 stars) - so when I discovered this short book written by both Jackie (Bouvier Kennedy Onassis) and her sister Lee (Bouvier Radziwill) documenting their “special summer” in Europe of 1951, there was no question I had to read it as well.

Originally published in 1974, this was a journal/scrapbook of their trip that was a gift for their mother, created in appreciation for allowing the sisters to embark on their first trip to Europe by themselves. Lee says, “It was an ode to discovery, youth, and adventure by one very young.” Lee was 18 and Jackie was 22 during this special summer.

A combination of colored drawings, illustrations, photos, handwritten anecdotes, and poems captures the carefree attitude and witty sense of humor, or as Lee says, “a state of joy and laughter, which was our mood throughout the trip.”

The book is a time capsule of a different time period, and a different lifestyle – of the privileged upper class. At that time traveling to Europe was usually undertaken on an ocean liner, not a plane. Manners and protocol were more rigid (white gloves worn in the afternoon), but the fun-loving sisters took advantage of this trip to have a memorable adventure. We are fortunate that they documented it so cleverly, and that Lee discovered it years later in her mother’s attic and decided to publish it for us.… (mais)

You have to feel sorry for siblings of terrifically famous people. Unless they re incredibly grounded, they spend most of their lives trying to be "good enough." And so it is with Lee Radziwill, the sister of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. She was never quite pretty enough, her husband din't quite measure up and her artistic endeavors while adequate were never going to make her a world class artist in any field.

This is too bad because in many ways this is a charming book - especially the excerpts from One Special Summer the memoir of the summer in 1951 she spent in Europe with her sister. Ms. Radziwill has lived a life that most people would envy. IT's just too bad she doesn't realize it.… (mais)

Happy Times is a memoir by Lee Radziwill (Jackie Kennedy Onassis' sister) presented in scrapbook form. It is filled with photos and short paragraphs of text, focusing on happier moments of her life. Thus, we see photographs of her with her sister Jackie as children and adolescents; Lee with Jackie, Jack Kennedy, and their children; Lee's own children; the various mansions and fantastic apartments in which Lee lived in England, Italy, and New York; yacht cruises; horseback riding; vacations in Palm Beach; and her trip to India. Other photos show Lee with such celebrities as Mick Jagger, Truman Capote (who seems to have had a special regard for her), Ari Onassis, Andy Warhol, John Kenneth Galbraith, and Rudolf Nureyev. Lee Radziwill is a very private person (as interviewers have discovered to their chagrin), and this book reveals very little of her personal life. (Thus, we see but one of her three husbands, and to no surprise, no mention of the divorces, money troubles, and abortive acting career).

Collectors of Kennedy memorabilia may be attracted to this book, but perhaps will be disappointed that its focus is on Lee Radziwill, not Jackie. Others may find it an interesting peek into the world of the non-working rich who have far too much money and leisure time on their hands.… (mais)