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The Secrets They Kept
Every family has its secrets. Elena Poulous knew that. As an attorney she witnessed such deception every day. But she never thought her Greek-American family was like everybody else’s. She believed she knew everything there was to know about them - until the Saturday morning, the police knock on the door of her New York City apartment. Her otherwise organized and controlled life is suddenly disrupted as they inform her of the death of Yannis Poulous, a man she had never heard of, a man who has listed her as his next of kin.
As Elena sets out to settle his affairs, she encounters a web of secrets that have been silenced for a lifetime. A box of old letters she unearths in his Brooklyn apartment begin to help unravel the mystery. But the biggest part of the puzzle - why everyone in her family, especially her mother Kristina refuses to talk about him - proves the most difficult to discover.
The story unfolds over the course of the forty days that follow Yannis’ death, a time when according to the beliefs of the Greek Orthodox religion, the soul of the deceased remains close to the earth and to those it loves as it asks for the forgiveness of its sins.
The Secrets They Kept is a multi-generational story, of mothers and daughters, of cultural and religious influences that still exercise power, of hearts closing and opening, of secrets kept and discovered, all in the name of love and of family.
As Elena sets out to settle his affairs, she encounters a web of secrets that have been silenced for a lifetime. A box of old letters she unearths in his Brooklyn apartment begin to help unravel the mystery. But the biggest part of the puzzle - why everyone in her family, especially her mother Kristina refuses to talk about him - proves the most difficult to discover.
The story unfolds over the course of the forty days that follow Yannis’ death, a time when according to the beliefs of the Greek Orthodox religion, the soul of the deceased remains close to the earth and to those it loves as it asks for the forgiveness of its sins.
The Secrets They Kept is a multi-generational story, of mothers and daughters, of cultural and religious influences that still exercise power, of hearts closing and opening, of secrets kept and discovered, all in the name of love and of family.
- GenresFiction
288 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2011
5 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
Joanne Tombrakos
6 books43 followersJoanne Tombrakos has been calling herself a Storyteller before it was the trendy thing to do. A Digital-First Marketing and Business Strategist, Assistant Professor of Marketing at NYU, and above all a writer she is considered a SME in personal branding, pitch-perfecting, content marketing, and social media. She is the author of four books, including the newly released Crafting Your Pitch, A Storytelling Framework, and the host of the podcast - Marketing, Mindfulness and Martinis.
In a previous life, Joanne held senior management positions in media advertising and marketing at CBS Radio, Time Warner Cable, and NY1 News. While she currently resides on the other side of the Hudson she is and always will consider herself a New Yorker. You can follow Joanne on most social networks @joannetombrakos or visit her website, joannetombrakos.com
In a previous life, Joanne held senior management positions in media advertising and marketing at CBS Radio, Time Warner Cable, and NY1 News. While she currently resides on the other side of the Hudson she is and always will consider herself a New Yorker. You can follow Joanne on most social networks @joannetombrakos or visit her website, joannetombrakos.com
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 24, 2011
An Unforgettable saga of a family and its secrets, a contemporary woman's "Zorba The Greek"
Secrets. The word itself slaps us with something scary and ominous. It reeks of ghosts and irrevocable mistakes committed in the dark, hidden, buried so deep that, in time, they become ingrown, take on a life of their own, and mushroom in significance. And of course secrets have a siren's call, sucking us into the page. Like the voice and the story line in this family saga, they make us turn the page.
In THE SECRETS THEY KEPT, a debut novel, Joanne Tombrakos presents the story of Elena Poulous, an attorney and member of a Greek-American family rich in tradition and large with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, living and dead. Elena struggles to get to the bottom of her family's secrets, and in so doing, she connects to life.
The story opens with a surprise. The police knock on the door of her New York apartment and inform her of the death of a stranger who claimed her as his next of kin. As Elena begins to settle his affairs, she encounters a web of secrets that her family members have worked a lifetime to keep buried. In the end, she and others begin to change.
The recent past is brought to life through a box of letters found in the dead man's apartment, a Pandora's box if there ever was one:
"She smelled the odor of it before she saw it. Musty, almost mildewy. There it sat, not a yard away from her. It was just a small square cardboard box with a lid."
Because of the author's sense of storytelling, objects like the letter box take on a symbolic presence: a ring, a baby carriage rocking precariously on a dock, the triune number in liturgy, and, in Central Park, the bust of Giuseppe Mazzini. (The narrator informs the reader that Elena intends to find out the significance of the statue, and the statue becomes another index into the protagonist's character.)
And of course there are letters and letters. Letters that tell secrets.
The sense of place is gripping, Manhattan, Astoria. The voice is strong.
The narrative weaves in and out of eras. It is 1949 in one chapter, 1958 in the next. Scenes take place in Astoria or in Elena's West Side apartment shortly after the war or in the country of Elena's childhood or in the novel's present. They all serve the heart of the novel: the unraveling of secrets, the revelation of character.
The story is filled with minor characters, all connected somehow to the Poulous family--Athena and Rosa, being two of my favorites.
Themes include the destructive pervasiveness of secrets and how they wither us; the sometimes stultifying, other times revivifying nature of cult and family.
THE SECRETS THEY KEPT has it all, the story of a family, complex main characters whose growth we experience, an ending that answers most of our questions but leaves room for imagination. At times comedic, at times tragic, it is the story of secrets woven so deeply into the fabric of Elena's Greek-American family that they remind us of our own.
I recommend the book to all who read not just for pleasure or to be swept up into a new world, but for self-knowledge.
About the Author. Joanne Tombrakos is a writer, born to first-generation Greek-Americans. She lives in New York City.
Secrets. The word itself slaps us with something scary and ominous. It reeks of ghosts and irrevocable mistakes committed in the dark, hidden, buried so deep that, in time, they become ingrown, take on a life of their own, and mushroom in significance. And of course secrets have a siren's call, sucking us into the page. Like the voice and the story line in this family saga, they make us turn the page.
In THE SECRETS THEY KEPT, a debut novel, Joanne Tombrakos presents the story of Elena Poulous, an attorney and member of a Greek-American family rich in tradition and large with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, living and dead. Elena struggles to get to the bottom of her family's secrets, and in so doing, she connects to life.
The story opens with a surprise. The police knock on the door of her New York apartment and inform her of the death of a stranger who claimed her as his next of kin. As Elena begins to settle his affairs, she encounters a web of secrets that her family members have worked a lifetime to keep buried. In the end, she and others begin to change.
The recent past is brought to life through a box of letters found in the dead man's apartment, a Pandora's box if there ever was one:
"She smelled the odor of it before she saw it. Musty, almost mildewy. There it sat, not a yard away from her. It was just a small square cardboard box with a lid."
Because of the author's sense of storytelling, objects like the letter box take on a symbolic presence: a ring, a baby carriage rocking precariously on a dock, the triune number in liturgy, and, in Central Park, the bust of Giuseppe Mazzini. (The narrator informs the reader that Elena intends to find out the significance of the statue, and the statue becomes another index into the protagonist's character.)
And of course there are letters and letters. Letters that tell secrets.
The sense of place is gripping, Manhattan, Astoria. The voice is strong.
The narrative weaves in and out of eras. It is 1949 in one chapter, 1958 in the next. Scenes take place in Astoria or in Elena's West Side apartment shortly after the war or in the country of Elena's childhood or in the novel's present. They all serve the heart of the novel: the unraveling of secrets, the revelation of character.
The story is filled with minor characters, all connected somehow to the Poulous family--Athena and Rosa, being two of my favorites.
Themes include the destructive pervasiveness of secrets and how they wither us; the sometimes stultifying, other times revivifying nature of cult and family.
THE SECRETS THEY KEPT has it all, the story of a family, complex main characters whose growth we experience, an ending that answers most of our questions but leaves room for imagination. At times comedic, at times tragic, it is the story of secrets woven so deeply into the fabric of Elena's Greek-American family that they remind us of our own.
I recommend the book to all who read not just for pleasure or to be swept up into a new world, but for self-knowledge.
About the Author. Joanne Tombrakos is a writer, born to first-generation Greek-Americans. She lives in New York City.
March 7, 2012
I won this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
Wow. That is all I can say. Up till now my only experience with Greek media has been My Big Fat Greek Wedding and a few scenes from The Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants. I always enjoy having the opportunity to immerse myself in the traditions, customs, and food of other cultures, and with The Secrets They Kept I was able to do that all the while reading a very compelling story.
We've all been there, stewing in our own guilt because we have hidden something from someone we love, but what we maybe haven't felt is the years of emotional turmoil and distance that comes from hiding something deep inside. This novel captures what I think that feels like.
Joanne Tombrakos has created an authentic family drama that will draw you in, the family in question just happens to be undeniably Greek, with undeniably Greek drama. Just make sure you have plenty of spanakopita handy, you're not going to want to get up for anything once you dive in.
Wow. That is all I can say. Up till now my only experience with Greek media has been My Big Fat Greek Wedding and a few scenes from The Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants. I always enjoy having the opportunity to immerse myself in the traditions, customs, and food of other cultures, and with The Secrets They Kept I was able to do that all the while reading a very compelling story.
We've all been there, stewing in our own guilt because we have hidden something from someone we love, but what we maybe haven't felt is the years of emotional turmoil and distance that comes from hiding something deep inside. This novel captures what I think that feels like.
Joanne Tombrakos has created an authentic family drama that will draw you in, the family in question just happens to be undeniably Greek, with undeniably Greek drama. Just make sure you have plenty of spanakopita handy, you're not going to want to get up for anything once you dive in.
April 14, 2012
The Secrets They Kept
The Secrets They Kept is a poignant, moving portrait of a close-knit Greek immigrant family and their descendants, including the second generation who is, in part, breaking away from the family’s traditions. The action is driven in part by the mental illness of Yannis, but more by the personalities and decisions of various family members in dealing with Yannis, particularly the secrets they kept about him and about their respective interactions with him. The novel revolves around the results of those secrets on those who keep them and those they keep them from including members of a generation who never knew Yannis. Beautifully written, the book is a compelling and fascinating read.
The Secrets They Kept is a poignant, moving portrait of a close-knit Greek immigrant family and their descendants, including the second generation who is, in part, breaking away from the family’s traditions. The action is driven in part by the mental illness of Yannis, but more by the personalities and decisions of various family members in dealing with Yannis, particularly the secrets they kept about him and about their respective interactions with him. The novel revolves around the results of those secrets on those who keep them and those they keep them from including members of a generation who never knew Yannis. Beautifully written, the book is a compelling and fascinating read.
September 21, 2020
Secrets of a Greek family in NYC. Good Greek info about family life and Greek Orthodox beliefs/rituals/services but way too repetitive. Skimmed over a lot of what characters went over in their mind constantly.
April 24, 2012
I received a copy of this book from the author for review.
The book's premise looked very interesting to me. It really did exceed my expectations and I enjoyed delving into the secrets of the Poulose family. The book was written and well researched. I enjoyed learning more about the Greek Orthodox beliefs and practices. The Greek traditions were richly represented and my mouth watered most times when the author mentioned the delicious Greek food!
The characters were complex yet relatable. I especially enjoyed the depiction of the mother-daughter relationship between Kristina and Elena. Their relationship was particularly dysfunctional. Elena's realization that she acts more like her mother than she realizes and how that affects her current relationships was well-written.
There were times when I wanted to throttle Elena and times I wanted to hug her. She was so wrapped up in protecting herself from love that she was missing out on being loved.
The secrets mentioned in the book aren't earth shattering. It's really how they affect each of the characters. They become larger than life and end up changing the way that the whole family relates to one another.
The author uses a series of flashbacks to describe events that happens to the characters as they relate to Yannis. I enjoyed the historical times explored during these flashbacks and wished I could have spent more time there.
Once the reader is aware of Kristina's secret especially I did feel like the plot began to lag as Kristina repeatedly shut down and refused to talk to Elena about Yannis. The first few times were understandable but the longer it went on the less patient I was with Kristina and the process of revealing the secret to Elena.
However, the relational redemption that Kristina and Elena experienced more than made up for the slight plot lag in my opinion.
This was an enjoyable book. Recommended!
The book's premise looked very interesting to me. It really did exceed my expectations and I enjoyed delving into the secrets of the Poulose family. The book was written and well researched. I enjoyed learning more about the Greek Orthodox beliefs and practices. The Greek traditions were richly represented and my mouth watered most times when the author mentioned the delicious Greek food!
The characters were complex yet relatable. I especially enjoyed the depiction of the mother-daughter relationship between Kristina and Elena. Their relationship was particularly dysfunctional. Elena's realization that she acts more like her mother than she realizes and how that affects her current relationships was well-written.
There were times when I wanted to throttle Elena and times I wanted to hug her. She was so wrapped up in protecting herself from love that she was missing out on being loved.
The secrets mentioned in the book aren't earth shattering. It's really how they affect each of the characters. They become larger than life and end up changing the way that the whole family relates to one another.
The author uses a series of flashbacks to describe events that happens to the characters as they relate to Yannis. I enjoyed the historical times explored during these flashbacks and wished I could have spent more time there.
Once the reader is aware of Kristina's secret especially I did feel like the plot began to lag as Kristina repeatedly shut down and refused to talk to Elena about Yannis. The first few times were understandable but the longer it went on the less patient I was with Kristina and the process of revealing the secret to Elena.
However, the relational redemption that Kristina and Elena experienced more than made up for the slight plot lag in my opinion.
This was an enjoyable book. Recommended!
June 6, 2012
Full review here http://yourneedtoread.blogspot.com/20...
The book's premise looked very interesting to me. It really did exceed my expectations and I enjoyed delving into the secrets of the Poulous family. The book was written and well researched. I enjoyed learning more about the Greek Orthodox beliefs and practices. The Greek traditions were richly represented, and my mouth watered most times when the author mentioned the delicious Greek food!
The characters were complex yet relatable. I especially enjoyed the depiction of the mother-daughter relationship between Kristina and Elena. Their relationship was particularly dysfunctional. Elena's realization that she acted more like her mother than she realized and how that affected her current relationships was well-written.
There were times when I wanted to throttle Elena and times I wanted to hug her. She was so wrapped up in protecting herself from love that she was missing out on being loved.
The secrets mentioned in the book aren't earth shattering. It's really how they affect each of the characters. They become larger than life and end up changing the way that the whole family relates to one another.
The author uses a series of flashbacks to describe events that happened to the characters as they related to Yannis. I enjoyed the historical times explored during these flashbacks and wished I could have spent more time there.
Once the reader is aware of Kristina's secret especially I did feel like the plot began to lag as Kristina repeatedly shut down and refused to talk to Elena about Yannis. The first few times were understandable, but the longer it went on the less patient I was with Kristina and the process of revealing the secret to Elena.
However, the relational redemption that Kristina and Elena experienced more than made up for the slight plot lag in my opinion.
This was an enjoyable book. Recommended!
The book's premise looked very interesting to me. It really did exceed my expectations and I enjoyed delving into the secrets of the Poulous family. The book was written and well researched. I enjoyed learning more about the Greek Orthodox beliefs and practices. The Greek traditions were richly represented, and my mouth watered most times when the author mentioned the delicious Greek food!
The characters were complex yet relatable. I especially enjoyed the depiction of the mother-daughter relationship between Kristina and Elena. Their relationship was particularly dysfunctional. Elena's realization that she acted more like her mother than she realized and how that affected her current relationships was well-written.
There were times when I wanted to throttle Elena and times I wanted to hug her. She was so wrapped up in protecting herself from love that she was missing out on being loved.
The secrets mentioned in the book aren't earth shattering. It's really how they affect each of the characters. They become larger than life and end up changing the way that the whole family relates to one another.
The author uses a series of flashbacks to describe events that happened to the characters as they related to Yannis. I enjoyed the historical times explored during these flashbacks and wished I could have spent more time there.
Once the reader is aware of Kristina's secret especially I did feel like the plot began to lag as Kristina repeatedly shut down and refused to talk to Elena about Yannis. The first few times were understandable, but the longer it went on the less patient I was with Kristina and the process of revealing the secret to Elena.
However, the relational redemption that Kristina and Elena experienced more than made up for the slight plot lag in my opinion.
This was an enjoyable book. Recommended!
October 24, 2014
This was the author’s first novel. Elena Poulous, a Greek-American attorney, gets the surprise of her life one weekend when the police notify her of the death of a Yiannis Poulous. Having never heard of him, she is somewhat further mystified to learn she has been listed as next of kin, nominated to settle his affairs. Her immediate task, apart from arranging his funeral, is to interrogate her family about this man and discover why she has never heard about him. But she heads straight into one brick wall after another, the most tight-lipped of her kin being her mother, Kristina. Who was this man, and why is everyone so reluctant to talk about him?
The plot, in black and white, doesn’t really sound that compelling, but, the emotions that emerge from this Pandora’s box of secrets, kept for so long, pack such a powerful punch, you are kept well and truly glued to the pages. Yiannis Poulous had no idea his humble request would bare some truths and make those whose lives he entered look at themselves very closely. He had no idea how some revelations would improve fragile relationships.
This is written with sincerity and feeling. Each and every character means something to you and you care deeply how each will fare. The threads of Greek culture and religious beliefs woven into the tale, and their importance, add dimension and interest to the drama.
Although an excellent debut, however, I really would urge the author to ensure her next novel is better edited than this one. There were endless errors which were irritating (amongst them a name change for poor old Giuseppe Mazzini who became Manzini). But the writing was good, the story well structured, the characters well developed, so there was plenty to keep me happy! Certainly an author to keep an eye out for.
The plot, in black and white, doesn’t really sound that compelling, but, the emotions that emerge from this Pandora’s box of secrets, kept for so long, pack such a powerful punch, you are kept well and truly glued to the pages. Yiannis Poulous had no idea his humble request would bare some truths and make those whose lives he entered look at themselves very closely. He had no idea how some revelations would improve fragile relationships.
This is written with sincerity and feeling. Each and every character means something to you and you care deeply how each will fare. The threads of Greek culture and religious beliefs woven into the tale, and their importance, add dimension and interest to the drama.
Although an excellent debut, however, I really would urge the author to ensure her next novel is better edited than this one. There were endless errors which were irritating (amongst them a name change for poor old Giuseppe Mazzini who became Manzini). But the writing was good, the story well structured, the characters well developed, so there was plenty to keep me happy! Certainly an author to keep an eye out for.
June 9, 2012
This book was like a warm cup of cocoa on very cold day. It squeezes your heart just a tad and might just make your eyes mist over. I can absolutely understand why it won't be everyones cup of tea, because the author didn't feel the necessity to add any mega dramatic unbelievable sub-plots. It didn't need any. The story was the simplicity and the complexity of family all rolled into one.
For me it wasn't about any secrets, whether they were emotional, destructive or mundane. It was about the structure of relationships within a family. The image of a tree with many branches comes to mind. Some branches have many leaves, whilst others are almost desolate in their bareness. Yanni and George are excellent examples of that visual image.
My heart went out to that lonely man and the fact that he became a family secret.
I think the dialogue was sometimes a little awkward, which is something I think made it less than a five star experience, other than that it was a very good read.
I received a free copy of this book for my review.
For me it wasn't about any secrets, whether they were emotional, destructive or mundane. It was about the structure of relationships within a family. The image of a tree with many branches comes to mind. Some branches have many leaves, whilst others are almost desolate in their bareness. Yanni and George are excellent examples of that visual image.
My heart went out to that lonely man and the fact that he became a family secret.
I think the dialogue was sometimes a little awkward, which is something I think made it less than a five star experience, other than that it was a very good read.
I received a free copy of this book for my review.
May 1, 2012
The story is more from a woman's perspective, and perhaps a woman reader may connect with the story better. Overall, i liked it, but not loved it. We are all imbibed with values of love and respect for everyone, especially our family. This is what this novel is very strong on. The fact that the plot revolves around a secret is incidental, to my mind. This story is really more about love and caring that one ought to have for near and dear ones. Unwavering support is the very basis of all relationships, and this novel brings that fact very nicely. The novel itself could have been a little crisper and shorter, tending to get a little repetitive, but that is not a major drawback. The initial few chapters give away the novel being a first-time author's work, but I found the second half of the novel more taut, consistent and flowing. I really liked the ending. Recommended read.
December 18, 2012
The Secrets They Kept by Joanne Tombrakos is a book so far out of my comfort zone that I'm not sure how exactly to describe it. I would normally not give a book about family secrets and drama a second look, but I read the sample and was intrigued. While reading the book my interest stayed peaked throughout and I had no problem finishing the book. That honestly doesn't sound like words of high praise, but coming from me it is a superb recommendation.
If this book at all fits your reading profile then check out the sample at the very least and see if you are drawn in as I was. The writing is smooth and the characters realistic. Joanna has an amazing talent and is worth checking out.
Review copy received from the author.
If this book at all fits your reading profile then check out the sample at the very least and see if you are drawn in as I was. The writing is smooth and the characters realistic. Joanna has an amazing talent and is worth checking out.
Review copy received from the author.
March 6, 2012
Growing up in Queens, I can hear the voices, and see the characters of Joanne Tombrakos' novel on every corner. She's written an incredible snapshot of the intrigues and emotions surrounding 1st and 2nd generation Greek immigrants that are bound together through thick and thin. Not unlike My Big Fat Greek Wedding you can't help but be touched, amused, frustrated, and engrossed with the actions and interactions of the Poulos family and friends. It's a heartwarming insight. Hard to believe that this is Ms. Tombrakos' first novel--I hope there will be more!
Now, off to find some moussaka....
Now, off to find some moussaka....
January 15, 2012
This is Joanne Tombrakos' first novel and she did an excellent job with it! I really enjoyed this family drama - the characters were well fleshed out and the storyline stayed consistant. In a book such as this, where there are flashbacks, it can become confusing if not written properly, but Tombrakos had no problem doing this. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good fiction family drama.
December 11, 2011
I felt like an extended member of the Poulous family, getting to know all the characters in this big Greek family. I stayed up too late many nights reading this book, eagerly anticipating what would be revealed next about which family member. Considering how many half-read books there are on my bookshelf, that's saying something!
April 1, 2013
I am pretty ambivalent about this book. So many people were keeping their dark secrets. Elena was trying to get her mother to tell what was going on the whole book long. The mother was waffling: I should tell her, I'm not ready to yet. It felt like it dragged out a lot longer than necessary. We the readers pretty much knew what the secrets were for the whole book. Talk about it already!
July 2, 2012
I enjoyed this book. If you want to feel like you are living in a Greek family, read this book. It was realistic in the way mothers and daughters can aggravate each other. Having said that, it was also all about families always being there for each other.
June 23, 2012
It was way too dragged out to get to an ending I had figured out pretty early in the book. Very boring in my opinion.
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May 16, 2012I really liked this book. I liked the characters, they were flawed and very real. The writing was really good and flowed really well.
October 25, 2012
I enjoyed this book. The effect of keeping secrets on relationships is well described. The characters are well drawn and the relationships are believable.
August 28, 2013
Meh...the secret was not that big a deal and I never felt that the characters really came alive.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews