ONCE UPON A TIME
By Elizabeth Beller
Publisher: Gallery
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s rise to fame and untimely death in a plane crash with her sister, Lauren, and husband, John F. Kennedy Jr.
Review by By The Books Reviewer
Elizabeth Beller's "Once Upon a Time: The Captivating Life of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy" endeavors to shed new light on a woman who has long been shrouded in media-driven misconceptions. Beller's intent to humanize Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy is evident, yet the execution leaves much to be desired.
The biography is replete with effusive praise, painting Carolyn as an almost saintly figure—stunning, caring, brilliant, and passionate. However, this relentless adulation strips the subject of any real complexity or nuance. The Washington Post aptly notes that Beller's portrayal results in "an effusive, almost worshipful portrait of a modern-day princess, stripped of agency or nuance." ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2024/05/20/tcarolyn-bessette-kennedy-biography-review//?utm_source=openai))
Beller's narrative is further marred by an overemphasis on superficial details. The incessant focus on Carolyn's fashion choices, down to the brand of makeup she used, feels more like product placement than meaningful insight. This obsession with minutiae detracts from the exploration of Carolyn's inner life and personal struggles. As one reviewer on Everand points out, the book is "so fawning and repetitive, that it's almost impossible to listen to." ([everand.com](https://www.everand.com/audiobook/723419355/Once-Upon-a-Time-The-Captivating-Life-of-Carolyn-Bessette-Kennedy?utm_source=openai))
Moreover, the biography lacks critical engagement with its subject. Any faults attributed to Carolyn are either justified by external circumstances or dismissed as uncharacteristic anomalies. This approach not only diminishes the reader's trust but also robs Carolyn of her humanity, reducing her to an idealized caricature rather than presenting her as a multifaceted individual.
In conclusion, while "Once Upon a Time" aims to offer a fresh perspective on Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, it ultimately falls into the trap of hagiography. The lack of critical analysis and the overindulgence in superficial details render the biography both tedious and uninformative. Readers seeking a balanced and insightful account of Carolyn's life would be better served elsewhere.
Recommendation: Not recommended.
written on: 3/5/2026