When We Were the Kennedys

Set in Mexico, Maine, in 1963, the narrative explores the profound impact of a father's sudden death on the Wood family, who, like their close-knit immigrant neighbors, rely on the local paper mill. Through Monica Wood's poignant prose, the memoir captures the collective mourning of a community while illustrating the family's journey of grief, love, and resilience. It also highlights the complexities of their immigrant heritage and the duality of pride and struggle associated with the paper mill, creating a rich tapestry of personal and communal loss.