51 pages • 1 hour read
Lara PrescottThe Secrets We Kept
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott intertwines the publication struggles of Boris Pasternak’s novel Doctor Zhivago with the clandestine efforts of CIA agents during the Cold War. Olga Ivinskaya, Pasternak’s lover, endures imprisonment for her association with him, while CIA typist Irina learns espionage skills from agent Sally Forrester to promote the novel as anti-Soviet propaganda. The book contains depictions of sexual assault and rape, and it also includes depictions of suicidal ideation.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott is praised for its captivating narrative that intertwines espionage and romance during the Cold War. The book's vivid character portrayals and historical detail receive high marks. However, some reviewers note that the intersecting storylines can be confusing and feel disjointed at times. Despite this, it remains an engaging and thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read The Secrets We Kept?
Readers who enjoy historical fiction imbued with espionage and romance, such as The Alice Network by Kate Quinn and The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, will be captivated by Lara Prescott's The Secrets We Kept. This novel weaves Cold War intrigue with a powerful narrative about women’s courage and resilience.