The Secrets We Kept

by Lara Prescott
The Secrets We Kept cover
Good Books rating 3.0
Historical Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 1278
  • Added: 2025-10-02
  • Updated: 2025-10-03
  • ISBN: 9780525566106
  • Publisher: Vintage
  • Published: 2020-06-30
  • Formats: 12
  • Reviews: 3
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Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99

At the height of the Cold War, a young Russian-American secretary, Irina, is recruited by the CIA for a high-stakes mission: smuggle the banned novel Doctor Zhivago into the USSR. Under the guidance of the enigmatic Sally Forrester, Irina learns the art of espionage and uncovers hidden truths about herself. The story intertwines with the decades-long affair between Pasternak and his muse, Olga Ivinskaya, whose love story inspired Zhivago's heroine, Lara. This debut novel combines historical detail with emotional intensity, celebrating the power of art to change the world. The Secrets We Kept is a captivating blend of historical fiction and spy thriller, exploring themes of love, duty, and sacrifice. It offers a unique perspective on the Cold War era, highlighting the courage and resilience of women who operated in the shadows. The novel's richly drawn characters and intricate plot make it a compelling read for fans of both literary fiction and suspense.

Reviews
ANZ LitLovers · 2022-12-30
critical 2.00

The romance is criticized for being poorly executed, with the writing described as choppy and repetitive. The characters are seen as caricatures rather than fully developed individuals.

The reviewer from ANZ LitLovers is quite critical of the novel, particularly when it comes to the portrayal of the romance. They find the writing style to be choppy and repetitive, which detracts from the overall reading experience. The characters, especially Pasternak and Olga, are seen as one-dimensional caricatures rather than complex, fully realized individuals. The reviewer feels that the book could have benefited from a more nuanced approach to its subject matter, as the current execution falls short of capturing the depth and complexity of the historical events it's based on. Despite these criticisms, they acknowledge that the novel has its moments and might appeal to readers looking for a lighter take on historical fiction.

Quick quotes

    The “romance” is badly done, the writing is choppy and repetitive.

    The book (Zhivago) is just filler, even Pasternak and Olga are caricatures.

    The characters are seen as one-dimensional caricatures rather than complex, fully realized individuals.

BookMunch · 2020-05-03
light-hearted 3.00

The novel is seen as a light-hearted take on complex historical events, which is noted as an observation rather than a criticism. The storytelling is engaging but lacks depth in certain areas.

The reviewer from BookMunch points out that the novel takes a somewhat simplistic approach to the intricate historical events it's based on. This is not necessarily a negative point, but rather an observation about the tone and style of the book. They appreciate the engaging narrative and the way it weaves together different storylines, but they also feel that some parts could have benefited from more depth and complexity. Overall, it's a readable and entertaining novel that might not fully satisfy those looking for a deeply nuanced exploration of the historical context.

Quick quotes

    Given the complexities of what really happened, Prescott's novel is a fairly light-weight affair.

    This is an observation rather than a criticism.

    The storytelling is engaging but lacks depth in certain areas.

The Guardian · 2019-10-17
fascinating 4.00

The book is praised for its rich cast of characters and the wealth of historical detail it provides. It offers a compelling look into a bizarre and fascinating period of history.

The Guardian reviewer highlights the strength of the novel's characters and the depth of historical detail that Lara Prescott has woven into the narrative. They find the period and the events surrounding it to be both bizarre and compelling, making for a fascinating read. The reviewer appreciates how the book delves into the minds and motives of its characters, providing a unique perspective on a lesser-known aspect of history. While they acknowledge that the plot could have been more tightly woven, they still find the book to be a worthwhile and engaging exploration of its subject matter.

Quick quotes

    It has a great cast of characters and a wealth of historical detail to be mined.

    The potential for insight into a bizarre and compelling period of history.

    The story is engaging and compelling, with a rich cast of characters.

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