- Format: Kindle Edition
- File Size: 2052 KB
- Print Length: 480 pages
- Publisher: Cornerstone Digital (3 Sept. 2019)
- Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
- Language: English
- ASIN: B07MPN9KSM
Synopsis
A BANNED MASTERPIECE
1956. A celebrated Russian author is writing a book, Doctor Zhivago, which could spark dissent in the Soviet Union. The Soviets, afraid of its subversive power, ban it.
But in the rest of the world it’s fast becoming a sensation.
TWO FEMALE SPIES
The CIA plans to use the book to tip the Cold War in its favour.
Their agents are not the usual spies, however. Two typists – the charming, experienced Sally and the talented novice Irina – are charged with the mission of a lifetime: to smuggle Doctor Zhivago back into Russia by any means necessary.
A BOOK THAT CHANGED HISTORY
It will not be easy. There are people willing to die for this book – and agents willing to kill for it. But they cannot fail – as this book has the power to change history.
Review
Dr Zhivago as a book and a film holds a special place in my heart as I grew up on the film and have read the book several times over the years (I also have a music box that plays Lara’s theme). The Secrets We Kept centres around Boris Pasternak’s writing of Dr Zhivago, its reception in Russia, and how the CIA used the book as a weapon in the Cold War. Through the voices of the secretaries who worked in the CIA as agents, Boris and Boris’s mistress Olga this fascinating story of the book and those who sought to use it for their own purposes is told.
The Secrets We Kept is one of the most intriguing books I have read in a long time and it had me utterly gripped, and left me with a huge book hangover. I thought I knew quite a bit about Boris Pasternak and Dr Zhivago, but I had no idea of America’s use of the book in the Cold War. The book is split into parts East and West, Russia and America/Europe and the plot is told in the first person narrative by the main characters during the 1950’s. This book covers so many different genres, thriller, espionage, romance, history, that there really is something for everyone. Lara Prescott, named after the main character in Dr Zhivago, writes with such a beautiful style, and is able to adapt between the more American use of language and the difference of the Russian style with great skill which helps with the demarcation of the East and West.
Lara Prescott really does justice to the main players in this book and skilfully gives them all their own voice in her use of the first person narrative. My favourite character was Olga, which is a bit of a surprise as I sometimes got quite angry with her for putting Boris before her children. She may only have been his mistress but she was the one who seemed to suffer the most at the hands of the Russian regime, being sent to the gulag prison camps in order to try and stop Boris writing the book. Her strength and belief in his work was unbelievable, and showed her love and loyalty to him. In America it was the stories of Sally and Irina, and their role in smuggling the book into Russia that got my attention. Their stories are fascinating, their training, background and their undercover work had me gripped. It gives an insight into the role of women in the CIA, both in the 1950’s and during the previous war with Japan, and how even though they put their lives on the line there were still many prejudices surrounding them. There are many other characters, all memorable in their own way, and add to the brilliance of this book.
The Secrets We Kept is an absolutely amazing read, and one of the most captivating and interesting books I have read in a long time. The espionage, thrills, romance and historical detail combine to make this such a well rounded, multi layered and breathtaking read. Even if you know nothing about Boris Pasternak, and Dr Zhivago, this is still a book that will captivate you, and maybe even encourage you to read, what I think is an absolute classic. This is a stunning debut from Lara Prescott, and will definitely be one of my ten best reads of the year. I really can’t recommend this book highly enough, so get clicking and buying.
Thank you for taking the time to read my review of The Secrets we Kept. I would like to thank Cornerstone publishing for my copy of this amazing book to review. If any of you are interested in reading Dr Zhivago Vintage Classics have released a newly translated version.
