Thrilling novel set in WW1 LONDON
A novel of the Kennedy family set EAST COAST USA and LONDON
19th October 2026
The Importance of Being Kennedy by Laurie Graham, a novel of the Kennedy family set East Coast USA / LONDON
I first came across Laurie Graham, when I read The Untouchables and have been a fan ever since. She writes with compelling sagacity.
I was checking out further titles by her and I found this little aside on her bio on Amazon: “In 2019, the changing face of big house publishing obliged her to go the independent route”. I am amazed that she has felt compelled to do this, she is SUCH a good writer and I would have thought publishing houses would be courting her and falling over themselves to publish her work. Clearly, you can never tell, but perhaps highlights some of the issues in the publishing world.
This novel is as good as any of the others I have read by her. I grew up with the notion that the Kennedys were THE cool American power family, which I suppose they still are in some ways (with rogue elements, of course), and that their star shone limitlessly. But then cracks appeared and when one considers delinquent behaviour, like Chappaquiddick, when Ted Kennedy left Mary Jo Kopechne to die in the car he was driving, which plunged into the river, the story of their family is quite sobering. He pled guilty to leaving the scene. There are many instances of venal behaviour from different members.
This story underlines the dysfunctional nature of Joseph and Rose’s marriage, and the – well, oftentimes cruel – upbringing of the nine children they sired. The determination to mould the younger Joe into a politician, destined, they believed, for greatness and the American presidency, is very shocking at times.
The story is told through Nora’s eyes, who is a young Irishwoman from Westmeath, who seeks employment in the States and just happens to land with the Kennedy clan. She is there for the birth of the children, she observes the parenting style and the ruthlessness around the management of the children, educated and instructed, humanity seemingly the least desirable quality.
Nora is a strong woman and her character is written with real warmth and clarity. After a while, the family decamps to London (Joseph became the American Ambassador there) and Nora stays in the capital when the household returns to the States.
It is a mesmerising account of family life and dynamics, and although it is a fictive portrait, it contains many 
verified elements. A really good read to bring American’s first family into sharp perspective.
If you would like further reading around the Kennedys, then consider Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed by Maureen Callahan, also an enlightening read.
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