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kenzie_may's review
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
utahmomreads's review
4.0
Read my review here : http://utahmomslife.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-book-of-secrets-book-review.html
24marsha's review
5.0
What a super engaging and gripping story that I just couldnt put down. It was a 'cereal for dinner' kind of book. :-) The secrets were intense and the reveals were perfectly timed and never rushed. It made me anxious to see where everything would end and torn over who were the good guys and who were the bad guys. Felt similar to a Kate Morton story.
COMPLAINTS - why does it seem everything Ive been reading has an affair?! And why that one ugly word?
Those are the edits I would wish for. Otherwise - superb! And it was a random grab off the library shelf!!
COMPLAINTS - why does it seem everything Ive been reading has an affair?! And why that one ugly word?
Those are the edits I would wish for. Otherwise - superb! And it was a random grab off the library shelf!!
lisawreading's review
5.0
Childhood secrets, the ugliness behind a serene family facade, imagination unleashed by the beauty of good books — all are key elements of the exquisite new novel The Book of Secrets written by Elizabeth Joy Arnold.
Chloe’s life changed forever on her eighth birthday when she met the mysterious, wonderful Sinclair children. Scrubbed and wholesome in a hopelessly old-fashioned way, living in a secluded country home in California redwood territory, home-schooled by a kind and creative mother, siblings Grace, Nate, and Cecilia welcomed Chloe into their hearts, and from that moment on, they became the center of Chloe’s life.
As the book opens, Chloe is in her mid-forties, struggling with the tensions of her 25-year marriage to Nate. Chloe and Nate have loved each other since childhood, but a tragedy in their early days together has created a permanent hole that neither knows how to fill. When Chloe finds a note from Nate saying that he’s suddenly gone back to his childhood home to deal with a family matter, she is shocked and dismayed. That home was the site of their nightmare, and she can’t imagine why he’d consent to return. Unsure what to believe, Chloe searches for clues, and finally finds a secret notebook, filled with a coded sort of language written by Nate, tucked inside a hollowed-out copy of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Chloe struggles to decipher Nate’s writing, sure that it will help her understand his sudden departure — but unsure whether she truly wants to unearth secrets from their awful past.
As Chloe cracks the code through the use of favorite childhood books, the narrative shifts back and forth between Chloe’s present-day struggle to understand the secrets that have undermined her marriage and the past, full of hidden family drama and dysfunction, as well as the delights of first love and devoted friendship.
The Book of Secrets explores themes of family, faith, and imagination, and peers into the heart of a marriage — what holds it together, what makes it fall apart. The secrets revealed in The Book of Secrets are huge and devastating, and it amazes me that Chloe and Nate survived as a couple at all.
The writing in this book is quite lovely, full of descriptions that vividly convey the wonders of childhood, full of play (digging a hole to London to try to go visit C. S. Lewis), journeys to the fantasy worlds of books, puzzles, and hidden codes, and the pure certainty of love that flows between Chloe and the three Sinclair children. The book is also a charming tribute to the power of good books, amply illustrating how books can inspire and transform, provide escape and solutions.
Ultimately, there is a mystery at the heart of The Book of Secrets — what happened 25 years ago, and what has Nate been hiding from Chloe all these years? (I’m being deliberately vague, I know. This is yet another book that I think is best read with as little knowledge beforehand as possible.) The tension builds and builds, and as Chloe finds herself reexamining long-held beliefs based on new information that she uncovers, we as readers have to readjust our understanding of events as well.
The ending is tension-filled, dramatic, and just as it should be. I did more or less figure out the general shape that the ending would take well ahead of time, but that didn’t matter in the slightest. Even though I was right on the money about the “what”, the “how” and “why” were surprising, shocking, and yet made total sense in the context of the story.
This is a perfect book for book lovers. Not only is the story of Nate and Chloe and their family secrets compelling and well-written, but the obvious adoration that the author feels for reading and its magic shines through on every page.
Review copy courtesy of Bantam Books via NetGalley.
This review is also available on Bookshelf Fantasies.
Chloe’s life changed forever on her eighth birthday when she met the mysterious, wonderful Sinclair children. Scrubbed and wholesome in a hopelessly old-fashioned way, living in a secluded country home in California redwood territory, home-schooled by a kind and creative mother, siblings Grace, Nate, and Cecilia welcomed Chloe into their hearts, and from that moment on, they became the center of Chloe’s life.
As the book opens, Chloe is in her mid-forties, struggling with the tensions of her 25-year marriage to Nate. Chloe and Nate have loved each other since childhood, but a tragedy in their early days together has created a permanent hole that neither knows how to fill. When Chloe finds a note from Nate saying that he’s suddenly gone back to his childhood home to deal with a family matter, she is shocked and dismayed. That home was the site of their nightmare, and she can’t imagine why he’d consent to return. Unsure what to believe, Chloe searches for clues, and finally finds a secret notebook, filled with a coded sort of language written by Nate, tucked inside a hollowed-out copy of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Chloe struggles to decipher Nate’s writing, sure that it will help her understand his sudden departure — but unsure whether she truly wants to unearth secrets from their awful past.
As Chloe cracks the code through the use of favorite childhood books, the narrative shifts back and forth between Chloe’s present-day struggle to understand the secrets that have undermined her marriage and the past, full of hidden family drama and dysfunction, as well as the delights of first love and devoted friendship.
The Book of Secrets explores themes of family, faith, and imagination, and peers into the heart of a marriage — what holds it together, what makes it fall apart. The secrets revealed in The Book of Secrets are huge and devastating, and it amazes me that Chloe and Nate survived as a couple at all.
The writing in this book is quite lovely, full of descriptions that vividly convey the wonders of childhood, full of play (digging a hole to London to try to go visit C. S. Lewis), journeys to the fantasy worlds of books, puzzles, and hidden codes, and the pure certainty of love that flows between Chloe and the three Sinclair children. The book is also a charming tribute to the power of good books, amply illustrating how books can inspire and transform, provide escape and solutions.
Ultimately, there is a mystery at the heart of The Book of Secrets — what happened 25 years ago, and what has Nate been hiding from Chloe all these years? (I’m being deliberately vague, I know. This is yet another book that I think is best read with as little knowledge beforehand as possible.) The tension builds and builds, and as Chloe finds herself reexamining long-held beliefs based on new information that she uncovers, we as readers have to readjust our understanding of events as well.
The ending is tension-filled, dramatic, and just as it should be. I did more or less figure out the general shape that the ending would take well ahead of time, but that didn’t matter in the slightest. Even though I was right on the money about the “what”, the “how” and “why” were surprising, shocking, and yet made total sense in the context of the story.
This is a perfect book for book lovers. Not only is the story of Nate and Chloe and their family secrets compelling and well-written, but the obvious adoration that the author feels for reading and its magic shines through on every page.
Review copy courtesy of Bantam Books via NetGalley.
This review is also available on Bookshelf Fantasies.
maryehavens's review
2.0
What do lies and bitterness get you? Heartache and wasted years. I wanted to abandon it but I just wanted to find out what happened to Gabriel. And then I did and it was like "yeah, I figured."
So, this book. Are you in love with literature? Love? Secrets? What is your point?
All the characters ran away from their problems. I've seen it compared to Diane Setterfield's The Thirteenth Tale but this book didn't have that kind of staying power. It should have ended 100 pages before it actually did.
Started off strong but then just hung out in the codependent zone for too long. It's like: the people weren't messed up enough ala Gone Girl to keep you on your toes but they weren't stable enough to think they had any redemption ala Light Between the Oceans.
Am I better for reading this? No. Would I recommend it? No. But I didn't abandon it so that gives it an O.k.
So, this book. Are you in love with literature? Love? Secrets? What is your point?
All the characters ran away from their problems. I've seen it compared to Diane Setterfield's The Thirteenth Tale but this book didn't have that kind of staying power. It should have ended 100 pages before it actually did.
Started off strong but then just hung out in the codependent zone for too long. It's like: the people weren't messed up enough ala Gone Girl to keep you on your toes but they weren't stable enough to think they had any redemption ala Light Between the Oceans.
Am I better for reading this? No. Would I recommend it? No. But I didn't abandon it so that gives it an O.k.
m_leigh_marrott's review
3.0
I could not put this book down. I had to know that everything was going to be ok. It was a rough read, too much of my own painful childhood memories came back to me. I was intrigued by the Sinclair's and the driving force behind their behavior. This is a great case study on how toxic shame taints relationships. It was a well-crafted story, I loved the characters, it was all too believable. And yet, there wasn't quite enough hope or joy for me to recommend it to others. I still feel a little raw from reading it myself. I know not every story is pretty, I have my own painful story, but... I like literature that helps point out the good, the beauty in those stories too. And this was all a little too desolate, too dreary.
kathleenww's review
3.0
I was intrigued by this novel because it's been billed as this fabulous book about books. It is that, but in a very tangential way: three siblings are connected to a lonely little girl in their love for books. But their friendship is forbidden by the siblings overbearing, fanatical pastor father.
Ms. Arnold uses book and poetry titles for the sections of this book, but rarely actually connects the titles to the content--when she does, it is only in the most superficial way. No need to worry if you've ever read these books either, because it just doesn't matter. Some section titles are Crime and Punishment, The Road Not Taken, and The Pit and the Pendulum. There is no discussion, in any way, of any of these works...weird.
This book is an overwrought, and quite a melodrama. The opening scenes make you think a young woman, a 20 something, is telling her story, but you realize, it is actually a 40 something year old woman. All the characters are like this: one dimensional and persistent. The first person narrator, Chloe, tells their story, and not one single character ever seems to change or learn over time. they all stay the same (and immature at that). It makes for some irritating reading. Somewhere in the middle of this novel, I wanted to put it down. I found it repetitive and reading it became a slog for me. Books are used to create secret a code for Chloe's husband to write down his thoughts and secrets. Actually, the book is more about lies and misperceptions. Terrible things seem to happen to all of the people in this book, but they never learn from these things.
I was so happy to be done with this. the ending bordered on being ludicrous, and the author (perhaps unwittingly) left many dangling threads that are never tied up (Chloe's mother? Where'd she go?). I don't need a neat and tidy ending, but while the middle third of the book dragged on endlessly, the end seemed rushed and rather silly. I read books for the characters--I'm definitely not a plot driven reader--but if you're going to make the plot this convoluted, at least give me a proper ending. Not sure where the author was going with this, if ti was meant to be a thriller, a mystery, or a soap opera. The writing wasn't awful, but it could have used some heavy editing. 464 pages was much too long, and would have been better as a 350 page novel.
Some good books about books: Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloane, The Bookstore by Deborah Meyler, When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (a kids book, but absolutely wonderful!).
Ms. Arnold uses book and poetry titles for the sections of this book, but rarely actually connects the titles to the content--when she does, it is only in the most superficial way. No need to worry if you've ever read these books either, because it just doesn't matter. Some section titles are Crime and Punishment, The Road Not Taken, and The Pit and the Pendulum. There is no discussion, in any way, of any of these works...weird.
This book is an overwrought, and quite a melodrama. The opening scenes make you think a young woman, a 20 something, is telling her story, but you realize, it is actually a 40 something year old woman. All the characters are like this: one dimensional and persistent. The first person narrator, Chloe, tells their story, and not one single character ever seems to change or learn over time. they all stay the same (and immature at that). It makes for some irritating reading. Somewhere in the middle of this novel, I wanted to put it down. I found it repetitive and reading it became a slog for me. Books are used to create secret a code for Chloe's husband to write down his thoughts and secrets. Actually, the book is more about lies and misperceptions. Terrible things seem to happen to all of the people in this book, but they never learn from these things.
I was so happy to be done with this. the ending bordered on being ludicrous, and the author (perhaps unwittingly) left many dangling threads that are never tied up (Chloe's mother? Where'd she go?). I don't need a neat and tidy ending, but while the middle third of the book dragged on endlessly, the end seemed rushed and rather silly. I read books for the characters--I'm definitely not a plot driven reader--but if you're going to make the plot this convoluted, at least give me a proper ending. Not sure where the author was going with this, if ti was meant to be a thriller, a mystery, or a soap opera. The writing wasn't awful, but it could have used some heavy editing. 464 pages was much too long, and would have been better as a 350 page novel.
Some good books about books: Mr Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloane, The Bookstore by Deborah Meyler, When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead (a kids book, but absolutely wonderful!).
smderitis's review
5.0
Wow. There are so many great elements to this book. The characters are so complex, the history between them all is so deep, and their flawed attributes make them even more interesting. The plot is mysterious and suspenseful, and as you begin to learn new elements and figure things out, the emotions run rampant. Plus, twists within the storyline that I did not see coming. Really enjoyed this one.
greenvillemelissa's review
5.0
Book #64 Read in 2014
The Book of Secrets by Elizabeth Joy Arnold
I finished this book just now and am wondering how much can one family go through and live to tell the tale? Chloe and Nate were childhood sweethearts...Nate from a ultra-religious family; Chloe's mother was a teenager who became pregnant. Chloe becomes a part of Nate's family...as long as their scary father isn't home...and they exposure her to books and reading. Chloe tries to not expose them to the realities outside of their safe haven home. Worlds collide when 18 year old Chloe becomes pregnant with Nate's child. Obstacles are thrown at them constantly.
At the start of the book, adult Chloe and Nate are having marital problems and Nate has returned back to their hometown. He did not share details of why with Chloe. She uncovers a notebook that he has been keeping in code and begins to decipher the code and Nate's feelings. Chloe follows him back to their hometown.
I enjoyed Arnold's writing style and the way she wove books into the story. Her characters were flawed but interesting. I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened to them. All in all, a very good read.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
The Book of Secrets by Elizabeth Joy Arnold
I finished this book just now and am wondering how much can one family go through and live to tell the tale? Chloe and Nate were childhood sweethearts...Nate from a ultra-religious family; Chloe's mother was a teenager who became pregnant. Chloe becomes a part of Nate's family...as long as their scary father isn't home...and they exposure her to books and reading. Chloe tries to not expose them to the realities outside of their safe haven home. Worlds collide when 18 year old Chloe becomes pregnant with Nate's child. Obstacles are thrown at them constantly.
At the start of the book, adult Chloe and Nate are having marital problems and Nate has returned back to their hometown. He did not share details of why with Chloe. She uncovers a notebook that he has been keeping in code and begins to decipher the code and Nate's feelings. Chloe follows him back to their hometown.
I enjoyed Arnold's writing style and the way she wove books into the story. Her characters were flawed but interesting. I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened to them. All in all, a very good read.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
bgallagher4's review against another edition
4.0
I love to read books about books, secret books, lost books, magic books, booksellers, bookstores. Any story where a book changes the character's life. But this interest often leads me to stories where the beginning is about a lost/found secret coded book! Hooray! And continues into a story about mass murder or horrible child abuse. Such is the case with this book. I loved it. Loved the characters and their own love of books. I loved how the books they read changed their lives and tied them together. Books being forbidden and making them even more tantalizing. But it is a hard story. Can't say I loved it. It was so sad. So many many things are lost. There is hope at the end. But it is a gauzy veil over the wounds of those losses. It was very real.