Secrets My Mother Kept

by Kath Hardy

Kath grew up on a vast council estate in the 1950s, the second youngest of ten children. The two most important people in young Kath's life were her charismatic but manipulative mother
Flo and her mother's sister Aunty. But Flo and Aunty were keeping secrets, a tapestry of lies that cast a harrowing shadow over the children's lives.

Many years later Kath's mother died and while sorting through Flo's things, Kath discovered a bundle of secret letters that sent her on a journey to finally unravel the truth...

Inspirational and moving, this is the story of a woman brave enough to confront her past, and strong enough to let love not bitterness define her.

Genres: Memoir

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 10, 2013

Reviews

[Kui Muchiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an emotional rollercoaster, had me bowling at 3am cause I couldn't put it down. Writing is captivating and to imagine this is actually someone's real life story made it all the more interesting. I could relate to tidbits here and there. Putting away this book a better person, and more willing to be tolerant of all sorts of people I interact with every day.

[What Lynsey Read · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a fairly interesting but unchallenging read & it gives a good insight into what life in 50's & 60's London was like. However, it is probably no different to thousands of other people's stories up and down the country at this time. I pinched the book off my mother-in-law who couldn't 'get into it', I'd certainly not have sought it out or paid for a copy.

What annoyed me about it was mainly the way every other chapter contained a variation on the phrase 'we wouldn't find out the reason for this for many years'. Why not just tell us now? This also led you believe that there was a big reveal at the end of the book (there wasn't) and that all of the questions would be answered. (They weren't). There was a build up throughout the book which just fizzled out to nothing.

The central character of the book, the mother, wasn't a very nice character. She lied, cheated, stole, committed bigamy & continually swindled money out of her own children with her ridiculous lies. She was never challenged about any of it. But still she was loved unconditionally.

[Simone Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read, however a bit deceptive at times as the whole way along the book you are led to believe your building towards a climax but it seems to just fizzle out instead.

[Debra Govier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathleen was the second youngest in a family of 10 children.
There was no man in the family, just her mother and her mother's older sister known as Aunty.
As she grew up she began to realize there were secrets in her mother's past that nobody would talk about.

I really enjoyed following Kathleen's story as gradually, in dribs and drabs, bits of her family's past came to light.

But I also loved to read about her life with her family, and how her mother, a terrible manager was in charge of everything at home.
Kathleen describes all the strong characters in her family so well.

A true story and a remarkable one.

[BookloverG · Rating 4 out of 5]

A creative writer that made us crave for more unrevelead secrets. It shed the light on the greateast gifts in life: children, family and friends that teach us love and self belief. And as Kath said: ‘I have learnt to fight back-not on my own, but with the love and loyalty and enduring support.’

[Bookworm86 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was OK. Not massively impressed if honest. Very confusing at beginning with all names and some confusing bits in between. Lead up to a big secret which wasnt very impressive. Overall 3 stars x

[Karen Alford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed read this book and couldn’t put it down. A very down to earth book told beautifully by the author of her life and trying to find out about her mum’s history with her siblings. Her mother had a very hard life with her 10 children in a female household with the older children supporting the younger children. Very sad at times but told with honesty trying to find out answers to some of her questions.

[M L Broderick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life story

This is a very interesting story and it would be a good movie. Unfortunately it is bogged down in too many feet. Many of the details don't add to the story but seem to clutter it up

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and was totally enthralled with it. It’s different to what I’m used to but it held my attention and kept me turning the pages. It was a enthralling story with so many fantastic characters.

[Darla Ebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a compelling book, the author pulls you in and takes you along the path of not only her memories but of her discoveries. I was relieved there was no real child abuse, unless it be emotional abuse, of a sort.
Anyone who reads this book will be curious with a sense of foreboding, but closure.

[Janet East · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book about a family living with secrets in their past. There is much sadness and loss mixed in with happy memories and a family sticking together.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this although I thought the 'secret' was going to turn out to be something different I wasn't disappointed. I was sad to reach the end.

[Marian Foot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

I so loved this book from beginning to end the love the heartache and tragedy i really felt it all

[Simone Retro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story but not very well written.

[SUSAN MCWILLIAMS · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 stars

I was born in the beginning of the 50s and this book is so true to life for many people. The mother in this book was a clever and devious women who did things to feed her large family. Enjoyed this book very much and would recommend it.

[Emma Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harsh insight to a 1950s childhood. A family looking for answers in a lot of unanswered questions. Worth a read

[Lorelei · Rating 2 out of 5]

There seems to be a rash of these types of books recently; a generation of people unearthing their childhoods. My Secret Mother, The last foundling, Secret Child, My Secret Sister, etc. Each have a similar cover, a bereft child with a street view background. Each have a drawn out story of coming to a realization about their parents that happens when you grow up. Each is meant to engender sympathy and they do to a point but rarely do you hear of an ideal childhood anymore.

This is long and there is no climax. The template is similar to the other books I have mentioned. You are 250 pages and several deaths in before you get some intel on the situation, which is nothing riveting. Maybe these stories help others feel less alone. If that is the goal, they serve their purpose and I feel there is something worthwhile in airing out your life at some point, especially if others can relate to it.

However, I am finished with this genre. When there are so many good books waiting, you want something profound that will give you pause for thought for a long time. But if you need something to pass a weekend, it's not bad.

[Linda Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about this book, brought tears to my eyes, about a mum raising 10 children by herself, the poverty, the children wishing they could have more than just hand me down clothes, and for the younger one's its the not knowing who their father is which later on they set out on a quest to find out. Whilst I was reading this I kept thinking about my mothers large family and how similar they may of been in the 1950's and 60's.

[Charlotte Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, but felt that the "secret" was dragged out quite a lot, and it made the book not flow very well. I was disappointed by the ending. I still enjoyed reading the book, and thank you Kath for sharing your story.

[Simon T Pattinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous

This book is a true story written in the form of a novel. I found its a real page turner well written and believable. It is well written to the last chapter the story is not rushed and there is no place where it is not interesting. LOVED THIS BOOK

[Jane Beeson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, had trouble putting it down!
Inspirational and very moving.

[Laura Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read, giving an insight into how Katherine was brought up , her surroundings and her family .

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

thought provoking

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story line of this story is written perfectly. I did not stop reading until the book was finished ❤️