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The Secret
From Kathryn Hughes, the author of the No. 1 Kindle bestseller The Letter, comes The Secret - a heartbreaking novel of tragedy, hope and second chances. Readers who treasure the novels of Lesley Pearse and Susan Lewis will adore this author.
Mary has been nursing a secret. Forty years ago, she made a choice that would change her world for ever, and alter the path of someone she holds dear.
Beth is searching for answers. She has never known the truth about her parentage, but finding out could be the lifeline her sick child so desperately needs. When Beth finds a faded newspaper cutting amongst her mother's things, she realises the key to her son's future lies in her own past. She must go back to where it all began to unlock...The Secret.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2016
3881 people are currently reading
4532 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Hughes
28 books795 followersKathryn Hughes was born in Altrincham, near Manchester. After completing a secretarial course, Kathryn met her husband and they married in Canada. For twenty-nine years they ran a business together, raised two children and travelled when they could to places such as India, Singapore, South Africa and New Zealand. Kathryn and her family now make their home in a village near Manchester. The Letter, Kathryn's first novel, was an international bestseller, and her second The Secret has been highly acclaimed. Kathryn is now at work on her third novel, The Key.~ Headline Publishing
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 670 reviews
September 16, 2016
My blog link:
http://sueandherbooks.blogspot.co.uk/
I haven't read this authors previous book, but, after reading this one I will surely be setting aside to read it.
I so thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was filled with all kinds of mystery, family secrets, characters that really stood out, written so well you can imagine them in your minds eye.
This takes me back to the books I first was interested in over 30 years ago now.
This one is based around the 1970's so you need to reflect back on what like was like back them.
All the way through in my head I kept repeating:
Oh what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive. - Sir Walter Scott (Marmion, 1808)
and the other one:
It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. -- Charles Dickens (A Tale of Two Cities, 1859)
There are many reasons I thought of these quotes.
The top one because of the many decisions that were made the affected life of others in the following generation.
The secound quote because of a huge big even happening from a lovely day out but ending in more than one tragedy.
The women among the book were strong characters as they were back then.
Daisy who is a person in this book stands out so well as the "Motherly" type who I pictured in latter years with her tartan type slippers on, grey hair up in a bun doing her knitting.
In absolute astonishing read. I wasn't expecting that.
My thanks to Bookbridg and the PA for allowing me an advanced copy.
Blog tour to follow
August 4, 2016
I was lucky enough to win a physical ARC copy of The Secret from the publishers Headline Review on Twitter!
Secrets are difficult to hide but discovering the truth is so much harder. And when you do, brace yourself for the after effects. The Secret was an absolutely outstanding read. It pulled at my heartstrings and contained plot twists that really drove me to keep reading on to the finish. Dividing time between the past and the present day, mum Beth and husband Michael live with their son Jake who needs a kidney transplant. Beth has no idea about what lurks behind the facade that is her parentage but on searching the woman she called all of her life her mother's things, she stumbles onto a cutting from a newspaper which changes everything. The story will take you on a journey to Mary (the woman Beth called her mum)'s past and unlock the life of Michael. But whatever happens, the answer to saving Jake lies in all of the buried secrets from decades ago.
I can't even believe to tell you just how heartwrenching and extraordinary this novel is. The nerves for me really kicked in close to the end finding out what happens to Jake and the aftermath of Beth's searching for answers. Just to say: My cousin had a kidney transplant two years ago now and the details of Jake's struggle really hit home. The settings were so realistic and how he lived on a daily basis really reminded me of my cousin. I was super happy to receive this ARC and was not disappointed whatsoever. An outstanding must read, highly recommend!
Kindle edition: Out Now!
Paperback: 8th September 2016!
Secrets are difficult to hide but discovering the truth is so much harder. And when you do, brace yourself for the after effects. The Secret was an absolutely outstanding read. It pulled at my heartstrings and contained plot twists that really drove me to keep reading on to the finish. Dividing time between the past and the present day, mum Beth and husband Michael live with their son Jake who needs a kidney transplant. Beth has no idea about what lurks behind the facade that is her parentage but on searching the woman she called all of her life her mother's things, she stumbles onto a cutting from a newspaper which changes everything. The story will take you on a journey to Mary (the woman Beth called her mum)'s past and unlock the life of Michael. But whatever happens, the answer to saving Jake lies in all of the buried secrets from decades ago.
I can't even believe to tell you just how heartwrenching and extraordinary this novel is. The nerves for me really kicked in close to the end finding out what happens to Jake and the aftermath of Beth's searching for answers. Just to say: My cousin had a kidney transplant two years ago now and the details of Jake's struggle really hit home. The settings were so realistic and how he lived on a daily basis really reminded me of my cousin. I was super happy to receive this ARC and was not disappointed whatsoever. An outstanding must read, highly recommend!
Kindle edition: Out Now!
Paperback: 8th September 2016!
January 1, 2017
After thoroughly enjoying this authors first novel, The Letter, I was pleased to find that her second was just as gripping. Although there are a fair amount of characters to follow, their lives intertwine which makes the story easy enough to follow.
The writing is vivid and engaging and kept my attention from start to finish. I always have a soft spot for stories which cross generations, this one transcending from the early 20th century right through until modern day. It's an emotional and heart felt read which really does tug at your heart strings.
Although a complex storyline which holds many secrets, as the title suggests, I was intrigued by the characters and thought they were all developed well. There were no unnecessary cliches in the writing, and much of the conversations between lead characters were realistic without being cheesy.
I will definitely continue to read more of this author. An ideal read for fiction fans.
The writing is vivid and engaging and kept my attention from start to finish. I always have a soft spot for stories which cross generations, this one transcending from the early 20th century right through until modern day. It's an emotional and heart felt read which really does tug at your heart strings.
Although a complex storyline which holds many secrets, as the title suggests, I was intrigued by the characters and thought they were all developed well. There were no unnecessary cliches in the writing, and much of the conversations between lead characters were realistic without being cheesy.
I will definitely continue to read more of this author. An ideal read for fiction fans.
July 8, 2016
Having adored the author's first book The Letter I was very excited to get an ARC from the publishers and Netgalley. The Secret is a wonderful and moving story which I thoroughly enjoyed. A heartwarming family saga. 4 stars.
January 10, 2022
This was my first book by Kathryn Hughes and hopefully not my last. I don't always gel with story's revolving around two different time lines but this one did work well for me. It was an intrigued plot lime and a bit of an emotional read. Not a new favorite of mine but definitely liked the writing style
March 24, 2022
Patiko, tokia sakyčiau lengva įtraukianti šeimos istorija. 😉
July 7, 2016
I haven't read Kathryn Hughes's first book "The Letter" it's on my to be read list, and after reading this I will be moving it closer to the top of the list. This story is a mix of historical and contemporary. Scary to think of events that happened forty or so years ago now can be considered historical.
The story begins in 1975 with Mary and Thomas Roberts who have been trying desperately for a child. Thomas works in a coal mine. The day Mary finds out that she is finally pregnant she gets a phone call that there has been an accident at the mine. She hasn't even had the chance to tell Thomas the results of her doctor's visit...
We then fast forward to March 2016 and Beth is at her mother, Mary Thomas's funeral. Beth and her husband Michael are really going through the wringer as her mother has just died and their son Jake is seriously ill and in need of a kidney transplant. Beth has never known who her father was and it was something not talked about, but she needs to find out who he is if there is a chance for her son to receive a donor. This is when her life starts falling apart and coming together at the same time as all the secrets of the past come out.
A lot of the story is told in 1976 and the fateful day a group of friends and family took a mini bus on a day trip to Blackpool. Hughes creates a lot of rich, believable and very human characters in that scorching summer of 76' (which I happen to remember as I was a little girl at the time) It is very easy to get invested in the people in the story. It's tinged with sadness, enduring love and bittersweet memories. I had great trouble putting it down and spent a very enjoyable train riding reading most of it in one sitting.
The story begins in 1975 with Mary and Thomas Roberts who have been trying desperately for a child. Thomas works in a coal mine. The day Mary finds out that she is finally pregnant she gets a phone call that there has been an accident at the mine. She hasn't even had the chance to tell Thomas the results of her doctor's visit...
We then fast forward to March 2016 and Beth is at her mother, Mary Thomas's funeral. Beth and her husband Michael are really going through the wringer as her mother has just died and their son Jake is seriously ill and in need of a kidney transplant. Beth has never known who her father was and it was something not talked about, but she needs to find out who he is if there is a chance for her son to receive a donor. This is when her life starts falling apart and coming together at the same time as all the secrets of the past come out.
A lot of the story is told in 1976 and the fateful day a group of friends and family took a mini bus on a day trip to Blackpool. Hughes creates a lot of rich, believable and very human characters in that scorching summer of 76' (which I happen to remember as I was a little girl at the time) It is very easy to get invested in the people in the story. It's tinged with sadness, enduring love and bittersweet memories. I had great trouble putting it down and spent a very enjoyable train riding reading most of it in one sitting.
January 21, 2018
بسیار جذاب تر و نفس گیر تر بود از کتاب قبلی. یعنی یک نامه
July 21, 2017
I enjoyed this one even more than The Letter and THAT was terrific. A proper page-turner, loved it. I ended up finishing it just before 2am in bed. I was determined to finish it that night. There were so many delicious little reveals as you progress.....and I was shocked and surprised by them all. It was wonderful. It has to be one of my most favourite books this year for sure.
At first it was a little overwhelming as so many characters were introduced from 1976 in quick succession and you had no idea how they fitted in to the latter story set in modern times. There were some really funny lines peppered throughout and I also enjoyed all the pop culture references from THAT summer of 1976, since I remember it well. I went on Google after finishing to see what happened to Rumbelows and Fine Fare.
I adored young Mikey and Daisy, wasn't a fan of Lorraine and was surprised by Trisha sometimes when she did something nice, which was usually unexpected.....I did think Beth spoke some nonsense when discussing Jake saying they were creating a "well of hope" for him. I don't "do" psycho-babble in the least. However, we learn her profession is a "freelance food stylist" so it was expected, I suppose. I'm sure she never stopped working as that's clearly a high-demand occupation !! This phrase was used at one point which I looked up online with the ONLY result being from this book-"Sat around like piffy"....I've never heard this before. I was also lost at Daisy talking about Jerry and Lydia saying "they were not spoiling another pair"....I didn't understand that little reference. Another I hadn't heard (but Google had-seems to be a Northern expression) was "I nearly dropped cork-legged" !!
I would add a hyphen in after sun and countless times the apostrophe was missing on Ladies' or Gents' and then just once she remembered and added it, although that was it for any errors which is pretty tremendous ! The mining stories, both real and fictional, made harrowing reading. What an awful thing to happen. I thought it was a great addition at the end including the National Organ Register's information, too.
I see she has a new story out for pre-order right now and that's my next stop.
At first it was a little overwhelming as so many characters were introduced from 1976 in quick succession and you had no idea how they fitted in to the latter story set in modern times. There were some really funny lines peppered throughout and I also enjoyed all the pop culture references from THAT summer of 1976, since I remember it well. I went on Google after finishing to see what happened to Rumbelows and Fine Fare.
I adored young Mikey and Daisy, wasn't a fan of Lorraine and was surprised by Trisha sometimes when she did something nice, which was usually unexpected.....I did think Beth spoke some nonsense when discussing Jake saying they were creating a "well of hope" for him. I don't "do" psycho-babble in the least. However, we learn her profession is a "freelance food stylist" so it was expected, I suppose. I'm sure she never stopped working as that's clearly a high-demand occupation !! This phrase was used at one point which I looked up online with the ONLY result being from this book-"Sat around like piffy"....I've never heard this before. I was also lost at Daisy talking about Jerry and Lydia saying "they were not spoiling another pair"....I didn't understand that little reference. Another I hadn't heard (but Google had-seems to be a Northern expression) was "I nearly dropped cork-legged" !!
I would add a hyphen in after sun and countless times the apostrophe was missing on Ladies' or Gents' and then just once she remembered and added it, although that was it for any errors which is pretty tremendous ! The mining stories, both real and fictional, made harrowing reading. What an awful thing to happen. I thought it was a great addition at the end including the National Organ Register's information, too.
I see she has a new story out for pre-order right now and that's my next stop.
November 4, 2016
Review to follow.
July 30, 2017
Very enjoyable read. Great storyline and pacing. Good characters one can empathise with.
September 26, 2020
Mooi verhaal! In het begin had ik een beetje moeite om de draad op te pakken en snapte niet zo goed waar het verhaal heen ging, maar al snel was het duidelijk! Sommige hoofdstukken echt heel mooi, bijna kippenvel, andere hoofdstukken wat minder maar het verhaal werd niet langdradig. Ik vond persoonlijk sommige dingen net iets te gedetailleerd geschreven, een klein beetje a la maeve binchy, maar niet storend. Dat is uiteraard heel persoonlijk. Maar al met al zeer zeker het lezen waard!!
October 23, 2019
Su šios autorės kūryba esu susipažinusi jau kiek anksčiau. Teko skaityti jos romaną "Raktas", kuris man paliko tikrai labai gerą įspūdį. Tad ir šios knygos tikėjausi kažko panašaus.
Merė kartu su savo sutuoktiniu Tomu, bandė susilaukti vaikelio, deja nesėkmingai.. Staiga netikėtai įvykus siaubingai nelaimei jos vyras žuvo ir moteris liko su sudaužyta širdimi, bei viltimi tapti motina..
Po vyro mirties Merė priėmė sprendimą, kuris pakeitė jos bei daugelio kitų žmonių likimus.
Vienas su tuo susijęs žmogus - Betė. Ji visą savo gyvenimą nežinojo, kas yra jos tikrieji tėvai. Staiga sunkiai susirgus jos sūnui, jai nedelsiant reikia išsiaiškinti apie savo praeitį, bei tikrąją šeimą, nes nuo to priklauso jos sūnaus gyvybė.. Taip po truputį viena paslaptis atsiskleidžia po kitos ir moteris randa kelią į taip ilgai saugotą, bei slėptą jos ankstesnį gyvenimą ir su tuo susijusius įvykius.
Patiko man ši istorija nuo pat pirmųjų puslapių. Autorė įtraukė įtaigiu pasakojimu bei kūrinio detalėmis. Vienas įvykis vejasi paskui kitą, bei taip išaiškėja ilgai slėptos paslaptys. Man nebuvo skaityti tikrai nuobodu. Pasirodė gana lengvas, bet tikrai apmąstymų bei jausmų sukėlęs romanas.
Merė kartu su savo sutuoktiniu Tomu, bandė susilaukti vaikelio, deja nesėkmingai.. Staiga netikėtai įvykus siaubingai nelaimei jos vyras žuvo ir moteris liko su sudaužyta širdimi, bei viltimi tapti motina..
Po vyro mirties Merė priėmė sprendimą, kuris pakeitė jos bei daugelio kitų žmonių likimus.
Vienas su tuo susijęs žmogus - Betė. Ji visą savo gyvenimą nežinojo, kas yra jos tikrieji tėvai. Staiga sunkiai susirgus jos sūnui, jai nedelsiant reikia išsiaiškinti apie savo praeitį, bei tikrąją šeimą, nes nuo to priklauso jos sūnaus gyvybė.. Taip po truputį viena paslaptis atsiskleidžia po kitos ir moteris randa kelią į taip ilgai saugotą, bei slėptą jos ankstesnį gyvenimą ir su tuo susijusius įvykius.
Patiko man ši istorija nuo pat pirmųjų puslapių. Autorė įtraukė įtaigiu pasakojimu bei kūrinio detalėmis. Vienas įvykis vejasi paskui kitą, bei taip išaiškėja ilgai slėptos paslaptys. Man nebuvo skaityti tikrai nuobodu. Pasirodė gana lengvas, bet tikrai apmąstymų bei jausmų sukėlęs romanas.
July 6, 2016
Mary has been nursing a secret. Forty years ago, she made a choice that would change her world for ever, and alter the path of someone she holds dear.
Beth is searching for answers. She has never known the truth about her parentage, but finding out could be the lifeline her sick child so desperately needs. When Beth finds a faded newspaper cutting amongst her mother's things, she realises the key to her son's future lies in her own past. She must go back to where it all began to unlock
I was lucky to receive this book from netgalley for a review.....
So Beth and Matthew are searching for someone to help their sick child and in searching for help they open up a whole life time of secrets and lies..........
This book starts in the present and then take you back 40 years to where the secrets began.
This book left me wanting more and more, it was full of sadness and joy.
Beth is searching for answers. She has never known the truth about her parentage, but finding out could be the lifeline her sick child so desperately needs. When Beth finds a faded newspaper cutting amongst her mother's things, she realises the key to her son's future lies in her own past. She must go back to where it all began to unlock
I was lucky to receive this book from netgalley for a review.....
So Beth and Matthew are searching for someone to help their sick child and in searching for help they open up a whole life time of secrets and lies..........
This book starts in the present and then take you back 40 years to where the secrets began.
This book left me wanting more and more, it was full of sadness and joy.
September 10, 2016
The secret by Katheryn hughes is a general fiction read.
Mary has been nursing a secret. Forty years ago, she made a choice that would change her world for ever, and alter the path of someone she holds dear.
Beth is searching for answers. She has never known the truth about her parentage, but finding out could be the lifeline her sick child so desperately needs. When Beth finds a faded newspaper cutting amongst her mother's things, she realises the key to her son's future lies in her own past. She must go back to where it all began to unlock...The Secret.
What a read. I loved the story and the characters. I was trying to guess what the big secret was but I was wrong. I was hooked from page one. Couldn't put it down. This is a lovely read. Highly recommended. 5*. Thanks to netgalley for the arc.
Mary has been nursing a secret. Forty years ago, she made a choice that would change her world for ever, and alter the path of someone she holds dear.
Beth is searching for answers. She has never known the truth about her parentage, but finding out could be the lifeline her sick child so desperately needs. When Beth finds a faded newspaper cutting amongst her mother's things, she realises the key to her son's future lies in her own past. She must go back to where it all began to unlock...The Secret.
What a read. I loved the story and the characters. I was trying to guess what the big secret was but I was wrong. I was hooked from page one. Couldn't put it down. This is a lovely read. Highly recommended. 5*. Thanks to netgalley for the arc.
July 2, 2017
Das Buch ist leicht und flüssig zu lesen. Die Handlung verläuft eher ruhig und trotzdem möchte man das Buch kaum aus der Hand legen, da man die Auflösung erfahren möchte. Die Geschichte ist sehr emotional geschrieben, man fühlt mit den Charakteren mit.
Die Geschichte ist gut ausgearbeitet, beim Lesen habe ich ein Paar Mal gedacht, dass es für manche Ereignisse zu viele Zufälle gebraucht hätte, doch am Ende war alles aufgeklärt und doch nicht zufällig.
Die meisten Charaktere waren mir sehr sympathisch, von den Hauptcharakteren war mir aber leider Beth nicht besonders sympathisch.
Für die gute, emotional berührende Geschichte mit vielen sympathischen Charakteren gebe ich dem Buch 3.5 Sterne, die ich auf 4 Sterne aufrunde.
Die Geschichte ist gut ausgearbeitet, beim Lesen habe ich ein Paar Mal gedacht, dass es für manche Ereignisse zu viele Zufälle gebraucht hätte, doch am Ende war alles aufgeklärt und doch nicht zufällig.
Die meisten Charaktere waren mir sehr sympathisch, von den Hauptcharakteren war mir aber leider Beth nicht besonders sympathisch.
Für die gute, emotional berührende Geschichte mit vielen sympathischen Charakteren gebe ich dem Buch 3.5 Sterne, die ich auf 4 Sterne aufrunde.
September 8, 2016
Beth and Michael are desperate, their son Jake is dying of kidney failure and neither of them are suitable donors, and they have no close family members that they can call on. Beth's mother has recently died and she never knew her father who died before she was born.
Clutching at straws Beth decides to go through her mother's paperwork with a fine toothcomb to see if she can find any clue to who her father was and if she has any living relations.......and she finds a bombshell!
A great story told in two timelines -present day and back in the seventies when you find out the family history. Definitely a page turner that I couldn't put down
Clutching at straws Beth decides to go through her mother's paperwork with a fine toothcomb to see if she can find any clue to who her father was and if she has any living relations.......and she finds a bombshell!
A great story told in two timelines -present day and back in the seventies when you find out the family history. Definitely a page turner that I couldn't put down
August 9, 2017
Another beautiful novel by Kathryn Hughes. The story is told in parallel past and present, and slowly the tale unfolds and makes the missing pieces known to the reader. I loved both Mary's story and Beth's, although the connection to Beth's story is only in the last 100 pages of the book and I missed her story in the first half of the book.
The story is full of emotions, relationships and events happening leaving no dull moment.
I loved it and warmly recommend it !
The story is full of emotions, relationships and events happening leaving no dull moment.
I loved it and warmly recommend it !
September 19, 2016
Half way through this book I can't put it down
Now finished just loved this book from start to finish
Now finished just loved this book from start to finish
June 6, 2022
Een voor mij onbekende schrijfster maar dit boek was het lezen meer dan waard. Een heel aangenaam verhaal met een vleugje spanning hier en daar. Vlot geschreven en je wil vooral weten hoe het allemaal in elkaar zit. Als een boek je zin geeft om voort te lezen dan is het zijn 5 sterren waard.
August 14, 2020
http://www.hyperebaaktiivne.ee/2020/0...
Igatsesin väga vahelduseks üht ajaviiteromaani ning leidsin riiulist lugemiseks lakoonilise pealkirjaga Kathryn Hughes'i romaani "Saladus", mille sisukirjeldus kohe huvi äratas. Igasugused saladused ja müsteerumid on ju raamatutes alati põnevad.
1975-2016, Blackpool & Manchester. Jake on haige ning vajab hädasti neerudoonorit, kuid kumbki poisi vanematest ei sobi. Tema ema Beth ajab meeleheitlikult sugulasi taga. Ta ei tea, kes ta isa oli, sest naise ema viis surres selle saladuse endaga hauda. Kui Bethil õnnestub emast mahajäänud asjade seast leida vana kiri ning ajaleheartikkel õnnetusest, mis heidavad valgust 40 aasta tagustele sündmustele, tekib tal lootus, et ta suudab välja selgitada, kes oli ta isa ning leida mõned sugulase.
"Saladus" ei olnud siiski päris minu maitse järgi raamat. Kui juba saladustest juttu tuleb, siis eelistan võimalikult mitmetahulist lugu, mis iga pöördega jalust rabab. Saladusi jagus küll õhukesse romaani üllatavalt palju ja paar pööret olid täitsa ootamatud, kuid lugu ise jäi ikka liiga lihtsaks ja ettearvatavaks.
Lisaks kannatab raamat liiga suure tegelaste hulga all, mistõttu jäid kõik väga üheplaanilisteks ja ei ärganud lehtedelt ellu. Igaüks oli nagu oluline vaid selle rolli poolest, mis tal sündmustiku kulgemisel kanda oli ning muu inimlik pool oli puudu. Minu jaoks muutis see kogu loo ebareaalseks. Kõige rohkem häiris mind, et kaks naist olid loos ainult selleks, et lugejas vastumeelsust tekitada. Neid näidati ainult negatiivsest küljest, ilma igasuguse inimlikkuseta.
Kuna mul ühegi tegelasega sidet ei tekkinud ja suuremad šokid olid etteaimatavad, ei tekitanud lugu minus ka erilisi emotsioone. Kõige rohkem meeldis mulle lugeda hoopis 1970. aastate elukorraldusest Inglismaal, eriti Blackpoolis suvitamisest. Mulle tundus väga võõrana mõte eesliga mööda randa sõita, aga tuleb välja, et kunagi olid sellised meelelahutused. Veel sai aimu tollasest riietusstiilist, sest pisiasjade kirjeldamisele pöörati totralt palju tähelepanu, näiteks ühel tegelasel oli haihambaga kaelakee.
"Saladus" ei olnud iseenesest halb raamat, sest saladused ja nii-nimetatud loo skelett olid täitsa korralikud, aga liha jäi luudelt kõvasti puudu. Kõigest sellest oleks saanud palju nauditavama ja paksema raamatu, kui tegelasi oleks rohkem arendatud, et nad mõjuksid reaalsemana.
"Saladus" räägib mittetöötavatest neerudest, isaotsingutest, bussiõnnetusega lõppenud lõbusast päevast ja muidugi saladustest. Lugu on ehitatud huvitavale kondikavale, aga minu jaoks jäi palju puudu, et oleksin seda nautinud. Kõige rohkem segas mind tegelaste üheplaanilisus. Soovitan seda romaani lugeda, kui soovid ajaviiteks lugu, kus on saladusi, aga mis ei nõua suuremat kaasamõtlemist!
Aitäh, Varrak, raamatu eest!
Igatsesin väga vahelduseks üht ajaviiteromaani ning leidsin riiulist lugemiseks lakoonilise pealkirjaga Kathryn Hughes'i romaani "Saladus", mille sisukirjeldus kohe huvi äratas. Igasugused saladused ja müsteerumid on ju raamatutes alati põnevad.
1975-2016, Blackpool & Manchester. Jake on haige ning vajab hädasti neerudoonorit, kuid kumbki poisi vanematest ei sobi. Tema ema Beth ajab meeleheitlikult sugulasi taga. Ta ei tea, kes ta isa oli, sest naise ema viis surres selle saladuse endaga hauda. Kui Bethil õnnestub emast mahajäänud asjade seast leida vana kiri ning ajaleheartikkel õnnetusest, mis heidavad valgust 40 aasta tagustele sündmustele, tekib tal lootus, et ta suudab välja selgitada, kes oli ta isa ning leida mõned sugulase.
"Saladus" ei olnud siiski päris minu maitse järgi raamat. Kui juba saladustest juttu tuleb, siis eelistan võimalikult mitmetahulist lugu, mis iga pöördega jalust rabab. Saladusi jagus küll õhukesse romaani üllatavalt palju ja paar pööret olid täitsa ootamatud, kuid lugu ise jäi ikka liiga lihtsaks ja ettearvatavaks.
Lisaks kannatab raamat liiga suure tegelaste hulga all, mistõttu jäid kõik väga üheplaanilisteks ja ei ärganud lehtedelt ellu. Igaüks oli nagu oluline vaid selle rolli poolest, mis tal sündmustiku kulgemisel kanda oli ning muu inimlik pool oli puudu. Minu jaoks muutis see kogu loo ebareaalseks. Kõige rohkem häiris mind, et kaks naist olid loos ainult selleks, et lugejas vastumeelsust tekitada. Neid näidati ainult negatiivsest küljest, ilma igasuguse inimlikkuseta.
Kuna mul ühegi tegelasega sidet ei tekkinud ja suuremad šokid olid etteaimatavad, ei tekitanud lugu minus ka erilisi emotsioone. Kõige rohkem meeldis mulle lugeda hoopis 1970. aastate elukorraldusest Inglismaal, eriti Blackpoolis suvitamisest. Mulle tundus väga võõrana mõte eesliga mööda randa sõita, aga tuleb välja, et kunagi olid sellised meelelahutused. Veel sai aimu tollasest riietusstiilist, sest pisiasjade kirjeldamisele pöörati totralt palju tähelepanu, näiteks ühel tegelasel oli haihambaga kaelakee.
"Saladus" ei olnud iseenesest halb raamat, sest saladused ja nii-nimetatud loo skelett olid täitsa korralikud, aga liha jäi luudelt kõvasti puudu. Kõigest sellest oleks saanud palju nauditavama ja paksema raamatu, kui tegelasi oleks rohkem arendatud, et nad mõjuksid reaalsemana.
"Saladus" räägib mittetöötavatest neerudest, isaotsingutest, bussiõnnetusega lõppenud lõbusast päevast ja muidugi saladustest. Lugu on ehitatud huvitavale kondikavale, aga minu jaoks jäi palju puudu, et oleksin seda nautinud. Kõige rohkem segas mind tegelaste üheplaanilisus. Soovitan seda romaani lugeda, kui soovid ajaviiteks lugu, kus on saladusi, aga mis ei nõua suuremat kaasamõtlemist!
Aitäh, Varrak, raamatu eest!
September 19, 2016
I absolutely loved The Letter by this author so was very excited when I saw she had a new novel out and have been dying to read it.
As with The Letter, The Secret is also told through characters in the present day as well as returning to the past so that we can find out what secrets had been kept and why.
The whole story line revolves around two tragedies which in turn has affected the characters that have been left behind. The tragedies in themselves are heart breaking enough but it's with out a doubt the people that are left behind and how they are affected that really had an impact on me.
I could very much feel the pain of Beth and Michael and how desperate they were getting in trying to find a donor for their little boy. Beth has so much to deal with as it is, to lose her mother at the same time was really quite tragic. Going through her mothers stuff though after she has died, she comes across something that changes everything and in away gives her hope but also leaves her questioning everything about her past.
There were quite a few characters in this novel that I was really drawn to like Babs and little Mikey. Some certainly stand out more than others and even though I had empathy with some of them, I do wish some of them had acted differently.
I have to admit as much as I loved this story, I really struggled with getting my head around how some of the characters acted when finding out a certain secret. I think what happens with Pertula's father was something that may have been avoided, also Daisy, as much as I loved her character, again I couldn't understand her actions. I certainly think it is quite a thought provoking read that will challenge readers emotions.
The Secret is without a doubt a gripping and emotional read. There are quite a few surprises that really makes this book impossible to put down as I was totally caught up in the characters lives. Though I may not have agreed with some of the characters actions, The Secret is a wonderful and memorable read that will stay with me for a long time.
My thanks to Bookbridgr and Headline Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As with The Letter, The Secret is also told through characters in the present day as well as returning to the past so that we can find out what secrets had been kept and why.
The whole story line revolves around two tragedies which in turn has affected the characters that have been left behind. The tragedies in themselves are heart breaking enough but it's with out a doubt the people that are left behind and how they are affected that really had an impact on me.
I could very much feel the pain of Beth and Michael and how desperate they were getting in trying to find a donor for their little boy. Beth has so much to deal with as it is, to lose her mother at the same time was really quite tragic. Going through her mothers stuff though after she has died, she comes across something that changes everything and in away gives her hope but also leaves her questioning everything about her past.
There were quite a few characters in this novel that I was really drawn to like Babs and little Mikey. Some certainly stand out more than others and even though I had empathy with some of them, I do wish some of them had acted differently.
I have to admit as much as I loved this story, I really struggled with getting my head around how some of the characters acted when finding out a certain secret. I think what happens with Pertula's father was something that may have been avoided, also Daisy, as much as I loved her character, again I couldn't understand her actions. I certainly think it is quite a thought provoking read that will challenge readers emotions.
The Secret is without a doubt a gripping and emotional read. There are quite a few surprises that really makes this book impossible to put down as I was totally caught up in the characters lives. Though I may not have agreed with some of the characters actions, The Secret is a wonderful and memorable read that will stay with me for a long time.
My thanks to Bookbridgr and Headline Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 23, 2016
I absolutely loved this authors debut book, The Letter, so was thrilled to bits to get an advanced review copy of The Secret. I adore the writing style used in Kathryn Hughes books and so was pleased to see that this again follows a similar pattern where the past and present both have separate threads until the big reveal when they both come together.
Mary is a very happily married woman desperate to start a family with her childhood sweetheart. But tragically the day she finds out she's finally pregnant, disaster strikes. In the present we are then introduced to Beth and her husband, who's 5 year old son Jake is in hospital. His health is declining and he needs a kidney transplant. The action then switches back to the Seventies where an unexpected drama is about to unfold.
I just love the way the author brings everything together in her books. There were twists and turns that I really hadn't been expecting- especially towards the end. The only reason I have given this a 4* rather than the full whammy of 5* is that I had a slight issue with the character of Daisy. Some of the things she did I could understand when they were in the past (even though I didn't particularly agree with them) but towards the end when everything is in the open, I thought her actions were slightly diminished-almost as though they were there to simplify the plot. Saying that I still had a few years in my eyes once I reached that epilogue! And I loved how the characters developed as they journeyed from past to present, especially the warmth created by the relationship between Daisy and little Mikey which I found to be quite endearing.
Kathryn Hughes really does have a gift for being able to create family dramas with heartfelt consequences for her characters. You become totally caught up in the world she has created, slowly to start with and then, before you know it, you're hooked! This is a worthy follow up to The Letter and I thoroughly enjoyed chilling out with it over a lazy weekend.
I received my review copy of The Secret from Bookbridgr.
Mary is a very happily married woman desperate to start a family with her childhood sweetheart. But tragically the day she finds out she's finally pregnant, disaster strikes. In the present we are then introduced to Beth and her husband, who's 5 year old son Jake is in hospital. His health is declining and he needs a kidney transplant. The action then switches back to the Seventies where an unexpected drama is about to unfold.
I just love the way the author brings everything together in her books. There were twists and turns that I really hadn't been expecting- especially towards the end. The only reason I have given this a 4* rather than the full whammy of 5* is that I had a slight issue with the character of Daisy. Some of the things she did I could understand when they were in the past (even though I didn't particularly agree with them) but towards the end when everything is in the open, I thought her actions were slightly diminished-almost as though they were there to simplify the plot. Saying that I still had a few years in my eyes once I reached that epilogue! And I loved how the characters developed as they journeyed from past to present, especially the warmth created by the relationship between Daisy and little Mikey which I found to be quite endearing.
Kathryn Hughes really does have a gift for being able to create family dramas with heartfelt consequences for her characters. You become totally caught up in the world she has created, slowly to start with and then, before you know it, you're hooked! This is a worthy follow up to The Letter and I thoroughly enjoyed chilling out with it over a lazy weekend.
I received my review copy of The Secret from Bookbridgr.
July 14, 2017
Wow. My head is still spinning!
Wow. What a ride! My head is spinning from all the characters and their intertwining lives going back and forth between two time periods.
It's 1975 and Mary can't wait for her miner husband to come home from work so she can tell him she's finally pregnant. But he never comes home because he was killed in a mine explosion. And then she has a miscarriage.
It's 2016 and Beth's mother Mary has just died, taking a secret to her grave. She never told her daughter who Beth's biological father was. Beth is desperate to know because her young son is in need of a kidney transplant and needs a matching donor.
It's 1976 and a group of friends take a bus ride to a seaside resort for the day. While in the restroom of a pub, unmarried Petula, who didn't know she was pregnant, gives birth to a baby. A friend Daisy, who was in the bathroom with her, agrees to smuggle the baby out of the pub and put it on someone's doorstep, and never tell anyone about it. On the bus ride home, there is an accident, and Petula is killed.
This is only the beginning of the story. If you can keep all the characters straight and remember who did what, it's really quite an entertaining story. Fans of Kathryn Hughes's first book, "The Letter", will surely love this one.
Four stars, and then some!
Wow. What a ride! My head is spinning from all the characters and their intertwining lives going back and forth between two time periods.
It's 1975 and Mary can't wait for her miner husband to come home from work so she can tell him she's finally pregnant. But he never comes home because he was killed in a mine explosion. And then she has a miscarriage.
It's 2016 and Beth's mother Mary has just died, taking a secret to her grave. She never told her daughter who Beth's biological father was. Beth is desperate to know because her young son is in need of a kidney transplant and needs a matching donor.
It's 1976 and a group of friends take a bus ride to a seaside resort for the day. While in the restroom of a pub, unmarried Petula, who didn't know she was pregnant, gives birth to a baby. A friend Daisy, who was in the bathroom with her, agrees to smuggle the baby out of the pub and put it on someone's doorstep, and never tell anyone about it. On the bus ride home, there is an accident, and Petula is killed.
This is only the beginning of the story. If you can keep all the characters straight and remember who did what, it's really quite an entertaining story. Fans of Kathryn Hughes's first book, "The Letter", will surely love this one.
Four stars, and then some!
August 6, 2017
Beautiful. Poignant and uplifting. Loved it.
March 6, 2018
Brilliant story. On the look out for her other books now ☺
May 1, 2020
Kartais po visų sudėtingų siužetų, nesibaigiančios dramos ir dirbtinų intrigų taip norisi kažko paprasto ir neįpareigojančio! Kai supratau, kad būtent tokio kūrinio man šiuo metu reikia, čiupau Kathryn Hughes "Paslaptį".
Istorija labai paprasta, bet tuo pačiu subtiliai žavinga. Jauna mergina Betė ir jos vyras augina mažametį Džeiką, kuriam dėl suprastėjančios sveikatos reikalinga inkstų transplantacija. Judviejų inkstai šiai operacijai netinkami, tad Betė imasi aiškintis, kaip išsikeverzovęs yra jos giminės medis ir kodėl mama niekada nepasakojo apie mergaitės tėtį. Ši paieška nuveda į praetį, kurioje, pasirodo, tarp kelių šeimų yra susipynę didžiuliai paslapčių voratinkliai...
Ši meilės, šeimos dramų ir draugystės istorija man pasirodė labai šviesi ir paprasta, tokią, kurią būtų malonu skaityti atostogų metu prie baseino. Namuose, leidžiant dienas karantine istorijoje man visgi pritrūko svorio - norėjosi, kad tas gražus siužetas būtų įdomiau, profesionaliau parašytas, nors visgi vienoje vietoje autorė sugebėjo mane nustebinti. Anotacijoje taip pat rašoma, kad Kathryn Hughes yra lyginama su Jojo Moyes, tad šios autorės gerbėjai taip pat turėtų suklusti, nors man Jojo Moyes rašymo profesionalumas yra kur kas aukštesnio lygio.
Reziumuojant, istoriją labai lengvai perskaičiau per Velykinį savaitgalį, rekomenduočiau visiems gražaus, paprasto romano ieškantiems žmonėms, nes skaitytojams kaip aš, kurie mėgsta didžiulį literatūrinį svorį turinčius romanus, ši istorija gali būti ne iki galo įtikinama.
Istorija labai paprasta, bet tuo pačiu subtiliai žavinga. Jauna mergina Betė ir jos vyras augina mažametį Džeiką, kuriam dėl suprastėjančios sveikatos reikalinga inkstų transplantacija. Judviejų inkstai šiai operacijai netinkami, tad Betė imasi aiškintis, kaip išsikeverzovęs yra jos giminės medis ir kodėl mama niekada nepasakojo apie mergaitės tėtį. Ši paieška nuveda į praetį, kurioje, pasirodo, tarp kelių šeimų yra susipynę didžiuliai paslapčių voratinkliai...
Ši meilės, šeimos dramų ir draugystės istorija man pasirodė labai šviesi ir paprasta, tokią, kurią būtų malonu skaityti atostogų metu prie baseino. Namuose, leidžiant dienas karantine istorijoje man visgi pritrūko svorio - norėjosi, kad tas gražus siužetas būtų įdomiau, profesionaliau parašytas, nors visgi vienoje vietoje autorė sugebėjo mane nustebinti. Anotacijoje taip pat rašoma, kad Kathryn Hughes yra lyginama su Jojo Moyes, tad šios autorės gerbėjai taip pat turėtų suklusti, nors man Jojo Moyes rašymo profesionalumas yra kur kas aukštesnio lygio.
Reziumuojant, istoriją labai lengvai perskaičiau per Velykinį savaitgalį, rekomenduočiau visiems gražaus, paprasto romano ieškantiems žmonėms, nes skaitytojams kaip aš, kurie mėgsta didžiulį literatūrinį svorį turinčius romanus, ši istorija gali būti ne iki galo įtikinama.
September 8, 2016
I enjoyed reading the authors previous book, The Letter, and couldn't wait to read this one.
The story is one which drew me in and made me want to keep reading so much that I didn't put it down until I had finished. It starts in the present day but then goes back in time to allow the reader to discover the back story in great detail.
The characters were all very well done, I sympathised with so many of them over the choices they had to make and the circumstances they found themselves having to deal with. The story shows that something which you may think is a small detail can become a huge problem as time goes on.
I really enjoyed this story and look forward to whatever the author decides to give us next.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story is one which drew me in and made me want to keep reading so much that I didn't put it down until I had finished. It starts in the present day but then goes back in time to allow the reader to discover the back story in great detail.
The characters were all very well done, I sympathised with so many of them over the choices they had to make and the circumstances they found themselves having to deal with. The story shows that something which you may think is a small detail can become a huge problem as time goes on.
I really enjoyed this story and look forward to whatever the author decides to give us next.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 21, 2018
All I could think about after reading this book is “everything happens for a reason.” I loved the characters of this book and longed to find out more of their individual stories.
It’s amazing how one day can change your life and link you to others forever. I enjoyed the book. I think I’ll try her book ‘The Letter’ sometime.
It’s amazing how one day can change your life and link you to others forever. I enjoyed the book. I think I’ll try her book ‘The Letter’ sometime.
January 29, 2022
Disappointing. I really enjoyed "The Letter," but after reading 25% of this story I'm bored and feel no connection to any of the characters. The story does not flow well at all. I'm moving on to a new book.
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