The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets

Well, I shouldn't use the word charming to describe Eva Rice's The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets, as that's a word I tend to overuse and you'll stop believing me (though it is charming), so how about utterly delightful?  Eva Rice is a talented author.  She's made me feel nostalgic for a time I've never even experienced.  While I actually like the cover, as it's very evocative of a period long gone, the girly pastels make a potential reader immediately think--chick lit (and perhaps choose to move on to the next book on the shelf).  Don't be fooled, though.  This is a wonderful story, and it is delightful, but it's not just so much fluff.  There's much more to it than your typical chick lit fare.  Yes, there is a dash of romance, never saccharine by the way, but it's all the other elements that make this such a pleasurable reading experience.  And most importantly Rice is not only a good writer but a good storyteller as well. 

England in the 1950s is still suffering the effects of WWII.  Rationing is only just coming to an end.  The deprivations felt are still relatively fresh in the mind and those loved-ones lost in the War are still mourned.  But progress is also being made and people are looking forward to new and happier times.  Especially the youth.  Pop music has arrived on English shores, and with it American Johnnie Ray (who, yes, did perform in the 1950sand was wildly popular).  When eighteen-year-old Penelope Wallace meets Charlotte Ferris one chilly November day at a bus stop, they'll find that Johnnie is only one of their common passions.  

Penelope and her younger brother Inigo are like any other teenagers except they happen to live at Milton Magna, a once gorgeous country home dating back to Medieval times, that is now a crumbling ruin.  Their mother Talitha, a 'sensational beauty', has had to sell off most of its contents to keep it running, but there's not much left decorating the walls or filling the rooms.  Married young, Talitha was deeply in love with Penelope's father, but he died in the War, and it's been hard going for the family ever since, particularly so for Talitha.  Penelope spends her time studying Shakespeare, writing endless essays, and occasionally working in an antique store as she bides her time before her upcoming travels to Italy.   

"Anyone want to share a taxi?" are the words Charlotte exclaims that will change Penelope's life.  While Penelope is a very traditional, perhaps even a little staid, young woman, Charlotte's appeal "came from her very English brand of stylized chaos and breathless excitement."  Charlotte's the type of woman who's never not in control and always at ease in any situation.  She brings Penelope home to tea at her aunt Clare's messy but very comfortable London flat, where she's introduced to Clare's son Harry.  Harry's a gifted young magician who makes the circuit at posh parties, but has been left heartbroken when his American-heiress girlfriend dumped him for a richer man.  His rather sardonic nature clashes with Penelope's more reserved demeanor, but he still manages to cajole her into a scheme to win back his beautiful ex, Marina.    

Through Charlotte and Harry Penelope is introduced to fashionable high society.  You can practically hear the ice in the cocktails clinking, gaze through smoke filled rooms and tap your feet to the jazzy beat of the music in the background.  It's so easy to imagine Charlotte and Penelope decked out in glamorous dresses and high heels (à la Holly Golightly, though I know she came along a few years later!) as Penelope acts at being Harry's new amour to make Marina jealous.  It's a bit of a stretch as Penelope doesn't find Harry the least bit attractive, though she meets an older American who's both handsome and witty that she can imagine herself with.  As you'll imagine all sorts of mischievous social entanglements ensue. 

The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets is filled with irresistible, well drawn characters who are entirely likable.  It's a story of love and family and growing up with a few secrets thrown in that need unraveling.  I will admit that it was a slow start for me, but once she fully caught my attention I couldn't pull myself away from the story.  I'd like to go back and start from the beginning to see what subtle little details I missed.  This one is highly recommended.  Now the problem is how to choose a book to follow up such a satisfying read. 

Comments

[Karen]

I think charming and delightful are the perfect words to describe this book - they can't be used enough I think!

[cathy]

It really is a great book; a little too serious for Chick Lit fans, I think. You can hear Johnnie Ray on YouTube; he was a really big star in the mid-50's.

Keep up the good work, Danielle.

[Heather]

Oh, this sounds really good; I'll have to add it to my TBR list.

[Danielle]

Karen--I really enjoyed this book. I think I could easily have turned back to the beginning and started reading all over again!:)
Cathy--It does deal with more serious subjects than you might find in standard chick lit books. It could easily have had a more serious cover illustration. And I thought that Johnnie Ray was made up to be honest. I had to look him up and there he was! I will have to check out his music on YouTube--thanks!
Heather--I can't recommend this one enough. A nice story, interestingly told and she really writes well.

[Cornflower]

I've had this on my wishlist for ages, and it obviously deserves to be bought!

[Nadia]

This sounds so good! I have to put it on my TBR list. Oh my, how that list grows.

[litlove]

I loved this book. It is the kind that causes a real pang when you have to read the last words and close it. Your wonderful review has me wondering whether it's too early for a reread!

[Melanie]

I just received this one via Bookmooch and it is next on the list. You make it sound even more tempting!

[Danielle]

Cornflower--I think this is actually one of my favorite books I've read this year. Pure pleasure to read!
Nadia--Those lists are impossible to keep short, aren't they! This is one I can definitely recommend.
Litlove--I loved this one, too. I could happily have turned back to the first page and started over again, and even contemplated doing that, but decided I would look for something else. I'm reading The Chase by Candida Clark, which seems promising--I'm only a few chapters in--and different enough that I won't be constantly comparing the two.
Melanie--Lucky you! It's a good one to have on hand. Save it when you're looking for an especially good comfort read. (Though if it's next up--that's even better!).

[Dorothy W.]

I believe you completely that this is a charming book! It sounds like a lot of fun (and charming is a useful word, isn't it?).

[Danielle]

Dorothy--Not every book fits into that charming category, but this one certainly does. It really was a fun read--one to keep in mind when you just want somehting nice and pleasant (yet still with a good story) to read.

[Lisa]

I love the cover of this book, and I actually didn't think chick lit. I thought nostalgia (although this was before my time, as well).

[Danielle]

Lisa--I like the cover, too, though sometimes an abundance of pink colors makes people think chick lit. I actually thought this had a nice classy nostalgic look as well.

[avisannschild]

This sounds really good! I'm adding it to my wish list as well.

[Danielle]

Avisannschild--I Loved this one. I was all ready to go back to the beginning and start reading it all over when I finished it. It was a slow start for me, but well worth sticking with it! :)

[Claire (Paperback_Reader)]

After reading this review a couple of months ago I kept the book in mind, read it, and loved it:

http://paperbackreader2.blogspot.com/2009/06/lost-art-of-keeping-secrets.html

[Vipula]

Commenting 6 months too late...I just almost finished reading it and enjoyed it immensely. I guess its not a chick lit per say...because the language is rich and the book so engaging. I loved the whole high society set up and how it is done without being frivolous. Yes it is a bit of stretch to see penelope not being attracted to harry !!Thanks to you I read a really good book at the start of january 2010

[Danielle]

Vipula--I'm so glad you liked this one. I think it does go beyond the chick lit genre happily. It had a nice little romance but that's not all there was to it, though I'm glad they got together in the end! That's a great book to start the new year off with! :)