Suppose JFK did not die in Dallas and a relieved and grateful public gave him the political capital to do what he chooses. This is the premise of Unafraid by Jeff Golden. The novel conjectures what Kennedy would have done in both foreign policy (Cuba, Vietnam, Middle East) and domestically. The speeches and explanations the author writes for Kennedy are quite good and made me wonder if he had some background as a political speechwriter.
The point-of-view of the novel is provided by Caroline Kennedy, the last surviving member of the family, who is working with a biographer to write the definitive story of his eight years in office. This stepping out of the political narrative works well, giving a personal look at the events and the man.
Unfortunately, as the novel progresses and drastic changes in US policy are detailed, Kennedy seems to become a peg on which to hang the author's ideas and ideology. The reader loses sight of the historical Kennedy.
It is a fascinating premise and worth a look at.
The point-of-view of the novel is provided by Caroline Kennedy, the last surviving member of the family, who is working with a biographer to write the definitive story of his eight years in office. This stepping out of the political narrative works well, giving a personal look at the events and the man.
Unfortunately, as the novel progresses and drastic changes in US policy are detailed, Kennedy seems to become a peg on which to hang the author's ideas and ideology. The reader loses sight of the historical Kennedy.
It is a fascinating premise and worth a look at.
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