The Secrets We Kept: A Reese's Book Club
by Lara Prescott
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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - A thrilling tale of secretaries turned spies, of love and duty, and of sacrifice--inspired by the true story of the CIA plot to infiltrate the hearts and minds of Soviet Russia, not with propaganda, but with the greatest love story of the twentieth century: Doctor Zhivago - A HELLO SUNSHINE x REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB PICK
At the height of the Cold War, Irina, a young Russian-American secretary, is plucked from the CIA typing pool and given the assignment of a lifetime. Her mission: to help smuggle Doctor Zhivago into the USSR, where it is banned, and enable Boris Pasternak's magnum opus to make its way into print around the world. Mentoring Irina is the glamorous Sally Forrester: a seasoned spy who has honed her gift for deceit, using her magnetism and charm to pry secrets out of powerful men. Under Sally's tutelage, Irina learns how to invisibly ferry classified documents--and discovers deeply buried truths about herself.
The Secrets We Kept combines a legendary literary love story--the decades-long affair between Pasternak and his mistress and muse, Olga Ivinskaya, who inspired Zhivago's heroine, Lara--with a narrative about two women empowered to lead lives of extraordinary intrigue and risk. Told with soaring emotional intensity and captivating historical detail, this is an unforgettable debut: a celebration of the powerful belief that a work of art can change the world.
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9780525566106
- Binding
- Paperback
- Authors
- Lara Prescott
- Publisher
- Vintage
- Published Date
- June 30, 2020
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 368
- Physical Info
- 8 in L x 5.1 in W (0.61 lb)

Reminds me of the freedom we should have as a human and citizen of the USA but are still fighting for and of the arrogance of many of the worlds leaders
Very well written novel with a fascinating background of how the book Doctor Zhivago's publication was part of the cold war espionage.Did I ever actually read the book? I'll have to now because of Ms. Prescott's well researched novel. The film is one of my favorites.
Interesting historical novel about women couriers,spies and underlying issues that could’ve been present during the time period. Definite international issues surrounding writers and what it was like being one in Russia. So many pieces to dig into, relationships, male/ women power struggles, revenge, heartache, parental roes and so much more.
The history and character development make this an interesting read. The connection to "the book" (no spoilers) was thread throughout the work very well.
What’s not to love about a book that’s about a book, and an historic book at that time in history. Women spies, the Cold War era and Russian treatment of it’s authors and their families, as well as a secret Italian version publishing of a book that changed the world’s opinions of Russia. Dual story lines added to the inside and outside storylines of this amazing story.
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