2022_The Importance of Being Kennedy

Laurie Graham's 'The Importance of Being Kennedy' reminded me of Jo Baker's 'Longbourn, The Servants' Story'. Both are re-imaginings of familiar stories from the help's perspective. 'Kennedy' is voiced by Nora Brennan, no-nonsense nursemaid to all nine Kennedy children—those Kennedys, American royalty, infamous and tragic. Both novels sound like trash and weren't. 'Longbourn' was lyrical, 'Kennedy' is acerbic; both are clever and thoughtful with the frisson of a familiar story told fresh.