A great insight into the life of the Girl behind the tragedy of Chappaquiddick, that we know so little about. And who better to tell her story than close family. Its also a glimpse into a parents struggle in the aftermath, which is in itself a story of courage and resolve (especially in the case of her father Joe who had major health challenges to overcome, no doubt impacted by grief ). But more than just a family album, that also traces her roots, its a tribute, delivered through letters from close friends to strangers all touched in some way by this young womans short life. As well as through the personal documents of Mary Jo Kophecne. Revealing a tireless worker dedicated to fighting social injustice and a spirited crusader of any leader who held that torch,(namely Robert Kennedy) in an era of such turbulence and inequality.
Til now Mary jo has been a soundbite, a one sentence tabloid media spew; The 'Boiler-room girl in the car that night with the married senator who drowned. It sells news papers! But who was she? This book, I think, is the closest you'll get to finding out. I was fine with the authors collective decision not venture into 'Chappaquiddick' , a subject amply covered in other books with all their speculations and theories, (although, in detail, ultimately remaining a mystery if you don't accept the official version). Prior to this book Mary Jo's short life, or what we knew about it, was always overshadowed by what ultimately occurred that night and the injustice of it all (which, (spoiler alert) happened at an island reunion that she almost didnt attend...) This book perhaps balances out this public picture we collectively have of the girl in the Laura palmer-like graduation photo, shrouded in tragedy, and perhaps shines with the lighter aspects of her life such as care free days at the beach with her cousin, growing up experiences, down to the fate of her famous VW beetle. Worth reading, great pics.
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Delmia
Mary Jo - Who she really was
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 16, 2018