The Secrets We Kept A novel
The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott, published by National Geographic Books on June 30, 2020, is a novel that intertwines espionage and literary history. Set during the Cold War, it follows Irina, a young Russian-American secretary who is recruited by the CIA to assist in smuggling the banned novel Doctor Zhivago into the USSR. Under the guidance of the experienced spy Sally Forrester, Irina embarks on a mission that reveals not only the complexities of her assignment but also profound truths about herself.
Readers will find a narrative that explores themes of love, duty, and sacrifice, inspired by the true story of the CIA’s efforts to influence Soviet society through literature. The book delves into the lives of two women who navigate a world of intrigue and risk, while also shedding light on the historical context surrounding Boris Pasternak and his relationship with Olga Ivinskaya. With 368 pages, this edition presents a blend of fiction and historical detail, offering insight into how art can impact society.
Official synopsis Publisher
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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