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m3l89's review against another edition
2.0
I've read a few of these 'something happens to husband and wife discovers all his secrets' novels and this was not one of the best. Irritating characters (Elizabeth, Rufus). Parts of the plot weren't very well explained and I didn't think this was particularly well written; confusingly long sentences.
Kate's character was written so much younger than 19. Before her age was mentioned I was picturing her as 12/13. Overall disappointing.
Kate's character was written so much younger than 19. Before her age was mentioned I was picturing her as 12/13. Overall disappointing.
book_ish's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
vballerin's review against another edition
4.0
Slow to start but midway through I didn't want to put it down.
abanym's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not into romance novels but I don't know why I gave it a try. Maybe because I found the idea of writing letters to a dead husband a bit intriguing.
But it was a bit disappointing. And this might fall under the kind of books I don't want to read often.
Here are my reasons why:
1. The narration or the whole storytelling pace was so slow that it failed to keep me hooked up. I wanted answers to my questions about what had exactly happened but then it got so monotonous & slow that I didn't even feel like reading all of the pages. There were times when I felt like reading the last letter but the other side of me didn't let me do it. Maybe I was not so patient while reading this book or it's simply very slow.
2. I understand that the plot was a situation to grief but I don't know why but it felt like it too sophisticated. Everything I was reading felt too sad like the saddest thing ever. And I felt that wasn't necessary at a certain level. Although the good part of the book is also that it is beautifully detailed.
So those were the reasons why it didn't work for me. I like the idea of sad stories that leave me weeping but I don't know if this is those kinds of stories that will, for me.
But it was a bit disappointing. And this might fall under the kind of books I don't want to read often.
Here are my reasons why:
1. The narration or the whole storytelling pace was so slow that it failed to keep me hooked up. I wanted answers to my questions about what had exactly happened but then it got so monotonous & slow that I didn't even feel like reading all of the pages. There were times when I felt like reading the last letter but the other side of me didn't let me do it. Maybe I was not so patient while reading this book or it's simply very slow.
2. I understand that the plot was a situation to grief but I don't know why but it felt like it too sophisticated. Everything I was reading felt too sad like the saddest thing ever. And I felt that wasn't necessary at a certain level. Although the good part of the book is also that it is beautifully detailed.
So those were the reasons why it didn't work for me. I like the idea of sad stories that leave me weeping but I don't know if this is those kinds of stories that will, for me.
ashj_1218's review against another edition
3.0
Predictable. Nothing different or exciting. I struggled to get through it. The only thing that slightly redeemed it was some of the insights on infertility and childlessness. I've never truly thought of some of the things that were mentioned and I know I will look at those who struggle with accepting childlessness differently and hopefully more helpfully. Otherwise, lackluster book.
jerseylrf's review against another edition
4.0
I just really like the way Stephanie Butland writes & brings her characters to life.
abookishaffair's review
4.0
3.5 stars. In "The Secrets We Keep," Elizabeth's husband, Michael, drowns while saving a nineteen year old girl named Kate. At first, it seems like Michael saved Kate selflessly and sacrificed himself. Then the secrets start coming out. Michael and Kate seem to know each other a little bit more than Elizabeth originally knew. Now Elizabeth can't be sure that she really ever knew her husband. Told through Elizabeth's letters to her dead husband and third person present tense, this book takes a look at what happens and how we cope when we don't really know the people closest to us.
This book was a little bit predictable for me but I still enjoyed it. The story itself is one that has been done a lot: one person in a marriage happens to be carrying on a relationship with another person and their spouse doesn't find out until after they are gone. I did like the addition of Elizabeth's letters to Michael as she starts to unravel the mystery of who he really was. That addition really helped me to get into the book.
The character that we get to know best is Elizabeth. Although this story is told from the third person, we get the best sense of who Elizabeth is and what makes her tick. We the readers don't really get a good picture of what make some of the other characters do what they do in the book. Some of the characters like Michael and Kate seem to be not as clearly described to me and I really wanted to get a little closer to those characters since they made up so much of the story arc in this book. I really wanted to know a little bit more about why they did what they did.
Overall, I found this book to be predictable but still enjoyable. I enjoyed seeing how Elizabeth comes to terms with understanding that the Michael she thought she knew is not really the Michael that existed. This would be a good pick for someone looking for a book with a familiar story that they can get into easily.
This book was a little bit predictable for me but I still enjoyed it. The story itself is one that has been done a lot: one person in a marriage happens to be carrying on a relationship with another person and their spouse doesn't find out until after they are gone. I did like the addition of Elizabeth's letters to Michael as she starts to unravel the mystery of who he really was. That addition really helped me to get into the book.
The character that we get to know best is Elizabeth. Although this story is told from the third person, we get the best sense of who Elizabeth is and what makes her tick. We the readers don't really get a good picture of what make some of the other characters do what they do in the book. Some of the characters like Michael and Kate seem to be not as clearly described to me and I really wanted to get a little closer to those characters since they made up so much of the story arc in this book. I really wanted to know a little bit more about why they did what they did.
Overall, I found this book to be predictable but still enjoyable. I enjoyed seeing how Elizabeth comes to terms with understanding that the Michael she thought she knew is not really the Michael that existed. This would be a good pick for someone looking for a book with a familiar story that they can get into easily.
nickimags's review
3.0
I wasn't sure I was going to like this book as it written in the first person and third person which I found quite tricky. I also thought from the blurb that it was going to be more of a mystery story. I really enjoyed the letters written by the main character as they seemed very real. I wonder if the author has been through something similar? I think the depiction of grief is one of the best I've read and would recommend it for that alone.
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