Eva Rice, The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets

I stumbled across this book in a second hand shop. From the title it did not at first seem like the sort of book I would enjoy reading. However, on the bus journey home I began to read... I was immediately hooked. Eva Rice's writing technique draws the reader in to the story so deep that they feel as if they are there too, as an onlooker watching a play unfold before their eyes. Her detail and description play with the reader's imagination making it imposible to put the book down. I finished reading "The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets" in three days and have since ready it another two times.

It is my all time favourite book and I can honestly say I have never read a book quite like it. It is a story that feels you with hope and positivity. Positively heartwarming from start to finish.

I absolutely loved this book! It was a bit different from what I usually read, but I thought it was amazing. The characters were really charming, and the plot was different to anything else I've read before. It was written very well, which made the characters seem really real. I'd recommend it for to anyone!

I loved this book, and although the ending isn't as romantic as I'd like it to be, it was about the best book i've read since Pride & Prejudice. I'd definitely reccomend this book to anyone - it's my comfort to snuggle down with this and a cup of hot cocoa. Five star.

Eva Rice's, The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets is the best book I have read in years. I took it to read on holiday and I could not put it down .The tears were streaming down my cheeks at the end and I missed all of the characters when i had finished. So much so that I read it again!!

It read well, the descrptions and the conversations seemed so real.

A great read!!

The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets

Eva Rice

Dutton, Apr 2006, $24.95

ISBN: 0525949313

In 1950's England since the Wallace family patriarch died, financial woes threaten his survivors. His young widow, his son and his oldest child, eighteen year old Penelope, scramble with what to do next as there is little time to mourn their loss of their dad and their station in life. In London, Penelope meets zany Charlotte Ferris. When they agree that Johnnie Ray is the greatest, they vow to be friends for life; neither defining further whether they meant either of theirs or Johnnie's.

Charlotte introduces Penelope to her cousin, a wannabe magician, Harry Delancy. She agrees to accompany Harry to his former girlfriend's engagement party, as he hopes to make her jealous and perhaps get her back. Soon Penelope becomes a fixture at parties

THE LOST ART OF KEEPING SECRETS is an intriguing 1950's British character driven "manners" tale. Charlotte is a wonderful protagonist, whose evolution from a naivet girl to polished woman of the world (at least the Thames) makes for a fine sensitive tale, as she swings like a pendulum between her attraction to Harry and other blokes like the invading Hollywood Yank. Eva Rice writes a poignant somewhat melancholy drama starring a wonderful young lady who sees the light of budding love, but has doubts that she wants to leave the comfort of the party lights.