A review by cmreadsbooks
The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott

emotional informative slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This atmospheric, slow burn that is definitely more character driven than action driven. I felt the point of view of the different narrators, I could place myself in their shoes and time. There's outstanding attention to historic detail - the author transported me into the glamour and heartbreaks of the setting. I am struck by the parallel suffering of the women in the east and west in order to get Dr. Zhivago distributed in the USSR. The audiobook is superb and the writing so masterful and emotive. I was excited by the surprise lesbian storyline - (it is not signaled at all in the book jacket/marketing) - the way
Sally and Irina had to keep their sexuality hidden and the consequences
was powerful and paralleled the suffering Olga endured for Pasternak and his book. I had to put it down because when I got to the part about
Sally getting raped
and came back to it later. The audiobook was great and the performances were excellent. 

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