The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott - ★★★★★ and ❤

[John]

As WWII, the US and USSR became adversaries in a Cold War, each seeking to embarrass and to diminish the other's influence on the world's stage. When Boris Pasternak's Dr. Zhivago was smuggled out of Russia and published by an Italian publisher, it was a source of humiliation over its depiction of the Soviet government. The United States through the CIA's Soviet Russia Division (SR) hoped to further humilate Russia by smuggling copies of the book into the country for its citizens to read.

This well-researched historical fictional account of the circumstances behind this espionage is told through the voices of three individuals:

Olga Ivinskaya: poet and writer, and Boris Pasternak's muse, mistress, and inspiration for Dr. Zhivago's protagonist, Lara. She was imprisoned twice for "re-education" for collaboration with Pasternak.

Irina Drozdova: daughter of a Russian immigrant, typist and latest courier for the SR.

Sally Forrester: former CIA typist and courier and Irina's mentor, trainer, and friend.

I found the espionage discussed regarding the art of clandestine courier of messages and other parcels engaging. This was also a period of history when homosexuality in the CIA was considered a potential source of compromise; therefore, its discovery ended with employees being fired. The author depicted well the anguish felt in this relationship as well as the illicit relationship beween Boris Pasternak and his mistress Olga. The primary characters were well-developed and the interweaving of the nonfictional and fictional elements was seamless.

[Joanne]

This sounds really good John, thanks for the review, I am sure to add it to my towering TBR

[Amy]

I read this one earlier this year or last year and thought it was great! I remember we had quite a discussion about it.

[John]

Amy wrote: "I read this one earlier this year or last year and thought it was great! I remember we had quite a discussion about it."

The local library where our book discussion group meets will discuss this one on Monday. I'm looking forward to the discussion.

[Barbara M]

Oh, this definitely sounds up my alley. I loved movie of Dr Zhivago though I never read the book. Now this - it will probably lead me to reading the both books!

[Joanne]

Barbara M wrote: "Oh, this definitely sounds up my alley. I loved movie of Dr Zhivago though I never read the book. Now this - it will probably lead me to reading the both books!"

LoL Barbara-seems that always happens, eh? (atleast for me)-kind reminds me of the children's book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

[Susan]

Thanks for your review. I loved this book and was fascinated by the history behind it.