The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott
Book Review
Where’re my historical fiction fans at? This one’s for you!
Perhaps it’s the history major in me, but I love a good historical fiction novel...especially one that takes place at a particular point in history that I find endlessly fascinating.
This story takes place in Soviet Russia - though the POV alternates between a cast of characters spread out across Russia and the United States. During the height of the Cold War, Boris Pasternak (an accomplished Russian writer) wrote his acclaimed novel, Doctor Zhivago. Based on a true story, The Secrets We Kept follows both Boris and his mistress, as they pursue the publication of Doctor Zhivago against the wishes of the Soviet government. On the other side of the world, we have the government girls - a group of typists working for the CIA. In an attempt to undermine the Soviet government and help spread anti-communist literature, the typists-turned spies help steal and distribute the highly-sought after novel.
Throughout the books, which focuses on the experiences of the female characters, we see just how far they’re willing to go to protect their loved ones and fulfill their duties to country.
While I was very invested in this story, I did feel there were a few too many characters... it took we a while to keep everyone straight. Nevertheless, this was a story I really enjoyed and now I’m very interested to read Doctor Zhivago, which won a Pulitzer Prize.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
What’s your favorite historical fiction book!?