First published 2018
This collection presents the poems that spoke most deeply to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis throughout her life. Caroline Kennedy gathered these verses from her mother's personal library, annotations, and memories of poems Jackie returned to again and again. The selection spans classical and contemporary works, from ancient Greek poetry to modern American voices. Each poem carried special meaning for Jackie, whether read during moments of joy, sorrow, or quiet reflection. The collection includes works she shared with her children, verses she marked in her books, and poems she recited from memory. Caroline Kennedy provides context for her mother's choices, explaining how certain poems connected to specific periods or experiences in Jackie's life. The anthology reveals Jackie's literary sensibilities and the role poetry played in sustaining her through public triumphs and private losses. These verses offer readers insight into the inner life of one of America's most admired women.
Genres: 20th-century, american, poetry, biography-memoir, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, lyrical
Tropes: found-family
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
Paperback · Hyperion Books