A review by jodilynclayton
The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice

3.0

I was torn between three stars and four. I enjoyed the novel enough to read it in one day, but it left me wanting more. I loved the historical setting of the 1950s in England. I loved the perspective of the teenagers who are learning for the first time about life without war, rationing, etc. The attitude towards America was especially fascinating with the teens loving all things American while the adults found the country and all its newness vulgar. On the other hand, I found Penelope the Protagonist tiresome. Her obsession with Johnnie Ray especially made me want to smack her (I must say though that I didn't know who he was til I read this book, so points to Rice for teaching me something new). Though Rice really did capture the essence of the teenager--the obsessions, the restless pent-up energy, the roller coaster of emotions, the self-absorption. It's just I don't really like being reminded of my own teenage idiocy and I certainly don't like reading about it.

Also, Rocky seemed way too good to be true.