Annette Bagley-Martin
http://cheeseinmyhair.blogspot.com/2011/04/secret-of-lies.html
Reviews: The Secret of Lies
The Secret of Lies is a powerful novel set on the Atlantic coast in 1957. Stevie Burke, a young teenage girl, is faced with the ugly truth that people are not always who they seem to be, even though you may have spent your entire life around them...
Be prepared as this novel sweeps you away as strongly as the
undertow at sea. You will find yourself
so thoroughly engrossed in Stevie’s recollection, it will feel as if you have lived
a lifetime as an invisible onlooker into her life...
The Secret of Lies is the first novel for Barbara Forte Abate, is guaranteed to please, be sure and add this novel to your list of must reads!
The Secret Of Lies follows the life of Stevie as she encounters deceit, first love, death, and lies. As a young girl, she and her sister spend summers on the beach with her aunt and uncle. Each year their lives become increasingly complicated until things finally culminate in an explosive combination of death and lies. Told in the first person, The Secret of Lies brings you up close and personal with Stevie's heartache caused by the events that surrounded her sister's death. These catastrophes will force Stevie into a type of seclusion that will rule the life she leads well into adulthood. Love never comes easy for Stevie.The first couple of chapters were filled with fluffy descriptions that held back the flow of story for a bit. I've had this problem with several books lately, but once the action begins, I am hooked. That is exactly what happened with The Secret of Lies. Stevie's pain becomes deeper and more palpable with every flip of the page. It was a regular occurrence for tears to well-up in my eyes, threatening to overflow onto my Nook.
I read a ton of books and love almost everything I read. Seldom, though, do I come across a book that touches my heart like this book did. It was a very cathartic read that refused to escape my conscious. I do have to warn you that it is not a light and fluffy read. It is very dark and weighs heavy on your soul. If you love an intense and thought provoking mystery...this is the book for you.
The Secret of Lies has to be one of the best stories I've read this year, without a doubt. The writing style is brilliant in itself - Abate writes with such elegance and sophistication that you cannot help being drawn to the story and the characters.
What I loved about the set up is that the prologue starts with the end of the story. We know from the start that Stevie runs away from home, we know the consequences - but we don't know how it all happened. Abate keeps you in agonising suspense from the very beginning and makes you want to find out what's the cause of Stevie's misery.
The first half of the book serves as a flashback - we get to know Stevie and her older sister, Eleanor - two teenagers who used to spend their summer vacations with Uncle Cal and Aunt Smyrna on Long Island. Up until something happens (I don't want to give too much away, you see *wink wink*) and a dark, scandalous secret tears apart their family. The second half of the book, set on the family farm a few years later, deals with how Stevie can cope with this childhood trauma and all these emotions she managed to bottle up throughout the years.
All the characters are very relatable but Stevie was the one who I had an instant connection with. I could almost feel what she felt back then - how she was held captive by the same life she always had. How she was afraid to fall in love, to let others see her emotions, how she turned into someone twice her age while she gradually alienated herself from her friends and family, while she kept saying "they don't understand".
The only negative thing I can mention is that for me the novel started out a little bit slow, but still, it's not too slow to put you off, and there are always subtle references to later parts of the story which leave you wanting more, wanting to find out what's going on.
The Secret of Lies is a captivating, tear-jerking coming of age novel with a great storyline, relatable characters and sophisticated writing style. Abate describes everything in so much detail, with such eloquence that The Secret of Lies is guaranteed to leave you in complete awe. I would definitely recommend it to everyone and I'm looking forward to see what the author comes up with next.
Rating:
I'll spare you the plotting, because in my opinion that is what blurbs are for. I will say that the tale spans several years- from the innocence of adolescence to the reality of adulthood. The natural progression of the novel rang true; meaning that the author has a gift with writing from a youn-adult perspective as well as with the clarity of time and experience. The descriptive prose was not overdone nor, left short. Barbara Forte Abate is a writer I expect to see more of as her work reminds me of Anita Shreve or Jodi Picoult-- both in terms of expertly crafted writing and with her way of seeing humanity with all its flaws, laying them open for the reader to draw their own conclusions.
The Secret of Lies is a wonderful, moving novel and I'd highly reccomend it to anyone that enjoys literary or family dramas with a bent towards writers like Picoult, Shreve or many previous Oprah Book Club selections.
I was immediately drawn to this book. It is an emotionally dark and intense novel about coming of age, lies, betrayal, guilt, and hopefully acceptance. The characters pull at your heartstrings. The writing is so rich you feel as if you personally know these people. Some you will love, some you will pity, and some you will abhor. The main character is Stephanie Burke. She is an incredible person. She has a story that must be told. Ms Forte Abate does a masterful job telling Stevie's tale.It was the summer of 1957. Stevie and her sister Eleanor are spending the summer in Long Island with their Aunt Smyrna and Uncle Cal. Smyrna is the sister of the girls mother, Libby. They spend each summer in Long Island. This summer is different. Eleanor is 17 and Stevie 15. The girls are growing up. No longer are they youngsters content with swimming in the water and running around the beach. Eleanor, at 17, is on the verge of womanhood. The unthinkable happens, tragedy strikes, lies and deceit become the norm. Events occur that scar Stevie for life. She feels a guilt that is not hers to carry.
Salvation comes years later in the form of one young man named Ash waterman. He loves Stevie not in spite of, but because of who she is. A soul in need of help. A woman seeking forgiveness and understanding for a crime that was not hers. Today she would be in therapy to overcome her issues. These events are occurring in the early 60's. Therapy wasn't the 'thing to do' back then. The ending of the book (no spoilers here) is left open enough that a possible sequel can be written. I would love to see Stevie and Ash work through everything together. I would love to see Stevie write the names and baptism dates of their children in the family Bible.
A fantastic book. No, it did not contain sex, drugs, vampires, werewolves, or demi gods. (There was some rock and roll in the form of Elvis Presley. ) It was an emotional book about growing.
...The Secret of Lies quietly and quickly steals its way into your mind. The words are so beautifully engaging that the pages seem to turn themselves and time develops little wings as it flies away from you.While the pages are turning and the time is flying, the mind doesn't want to disengage even long enough to sleep, because the characters are so wonderfully written that their lives unfold in your mind like its your own memory.The Secret of Lies is an engaging, intriguing, beautifully written story...It examines so many different topics, such as what constitutes love, truth, self-honesty, forgiving others and ourselves, and the ever complex thing called family. In case you haven't guessed it, it's a recommended read.
Books N Beans
http://mybooksnbeans.blogspot.com/2012/01/engaging-intriguing-beautiful.html
I laughed, I cried, I loved this book...The Secret Of Lies by Barbara Forte Abate is a beautiful story that you won't soon forget, the story of Stevie is one that is filled with innocence, lies, personal growth, and finding the strength to live her life
Barbara Forte Abate treats us with a story that simply takes your breath away. She has the ability to grab the readers attention from the beginning in such a way that you can't do anything but continue reading and see what happens in Stevie's journey and how she deals with the lies she is forced to keep.
I found Abate's writing style to be similar to that of Nicolas Sparks in that you can not only read, but you can feel the emotion that the author pours into each page. The story of Stevie and Ash is one that is so raw and so full of honesty that you will be plowing through the pages to see how it all ends.
Abate does a fantastic job of developing every character that we come across; whether it is to love them, or hate them, they all will find a way into your heart.
One of my favorite aspects of this book was the progession. The story starts with a very adolescent Stevie, and we watch as she grows into a woman who has yet to come to grips with her past. Abate does a fantastic job of allowing the reader to see into the very soul of Stevie, and allows us to see the deeper side that she hides from those around her. Abate is such a talented writer and I will continuously look for more of her writing.
From beginning to end, this story is a work of art that needs to be appreciated by every reader. Pick up this book book and prepare yourself for an unforgettable roller coaster rider of emotions.
Reviews
I want to thank the author for providing this ARC, in exchange for my unbiased review.
http://christinawillreviewit.blogspot.com/2011/04/secret-of-lies-by-barbara-forte-abate.html
Sisters Stevie and Eleanor opened Chapter One. I related to the teasing. The banter of sisters who clearly loved each other made me want to immediately call my own sister.
The story was told from sister Stevie's perspective. Stevie gave entrance into her world with a down-to-earth yet slightly humorous conversational voice. Throughout the story, words were beautifully strung into visual accounts of Stevie's memories of days gone by (some good, some not-so-good, some awfully grievous).
One example of the author's amazing visual account of Stevie's growing up was on page 96, "Once I'd determined how to operate the phonograph, the music magically swelled outward, flooding the enormous room and washing over the gloom with waves of vigorous energy. And while the rain battered down unabated against the skin of weather beaten clapboards sheathing the house, pummeling sea and sand like machine-gun fire - I danced-spinning, twisting and gyrating with wild wicked abandon, as song after song dosed me with an invigorating intensity." Now who hasn't done that?!
Sadly, the sisters' unified front begins to fray beginning on page 113. Without being a spoiler, lies began to grow and the truth became quickly muffled by silence. At times I slammed my fist on the table next to me, shook my head in disbelief and cried tears of joy as well as sadness. Stevie was so courageous - but silent. I desperately wanted Stevie to shout for all the world to hear - for her to be angry - to be vociferous, to report in detail everything that had happened to someone other than her aunt (who muzzled her).
Thankfully, I got to witness the loose and extremely frayed ends become tied. A "you reap what you sow" last chapter. Many may refer to Karma or "getting back what you put out." However the reader views the last chapter, I smiled inwardly because truly Stevie did win in the end. Actually, she was awarded a new beginning. She had a Bible with the names of her deceased family members written in it. I silently hoped that one day she would crack that Bible open for more than recording her geneology and instead learn about her Saviour's geneology. If not for her or her husband - but for her future children. But that is just me, being a believer...
I was blessed to travel through the pages of The Secret of Lies and read of the romantic, PG-rated accounts of Stevie's romantic adventures. Both of her suitors respected her as a woman and both were heroes. I did not find redemptive value in the other characters other than in her mother's cautious but loving care. The last chapter was my favorite chapter. Actually, the last scene I shall not soon forget. I felt the author may have left the door open for a sequel.
Ms. Barbara Forte Abate's work was peppered with amazing images of seaside storms, childhood struggles, dysfunctional fleshly family members as well as several accounts of human frailty and fear. I was sad to have to turned the last page. Stevie was a survivor. No doubt she grew wiser as a result of covering up the truth...
For the Love of Reading Book Review
By Ivy
Book Review: The Secret of Lies by Barbara Forte Abate
Barbara Forte Abate has such a gift for bringing to life real relationships
between ordinary people that she creates an ongoing challenge to her readers by
beginning her book with the lowest point of her character’s life: being drawn
to run away and face her inner demons alone. The reader accepts Stephanie, or
Stevie, as a real girl who grows up to be a real woman: her desperate act runs
counter to the usual (and expected) female response to life, which is to
passively endure the outcome of events. It is the author’s task to make sense
of this act and to reveal it for what it is: a brief trough in the progression
of life. Her message is feminine. It isn’t easy growing up female. Cut us some
slack, and we’ll make things right. We need to make an active response,
especially to such a threatening emotion as guilt.
Amidst all the disturbing events of her life, narrated with subtle honesty by
Stevie herself, we see the fragile but warm interactions of her life. Stevie’s
focus is herself, not the other party; it is a limitation that causes her to
stumble through life missing the signs and details that would broaden her
understanding of others. Lacking intuition, she must learn through experience.
Stevie and her sister are close but far apart in temperament. Stevie’s mother
and father come to life as caring and distinct individuals, unlike her aunt and
uncle who are immersed in their own little world. Stevie’s promising
relationship to a deaf boy is abruptly ended by circumstances, but her
multifaceted relationship with Ash comes to life in all its playful stages.
In drawing her plot line, the author shows a respect for the complexity and
fragility of marriage itself. There are many obstacles to be overcome before
Stevie can open herself to love and even more before she can allow Ash to fully
share in her life. In the meantime, Stevie’s withdrawal seems to him another
personal rejection. The author leaves the reader with hope that, over time, the
couple will move beyond their pain and build a solid life together.
At the heart of the novel is the age gap between sisters at the pivotal summer
of l957 when Stevie lashes out with a torrent of words fueled by shock and
disgust. There is a two year age gap between Stevie and her older sister. Such
a gap would ordinarily fade in significance over a period of time, but instead
the tragedy of death freezes it into permanence in Stevie’s mind. For sisters
growing up in the fifties, as presented in this novel, the gap might well be
substantial when one sister is fifteen and the other seventeen. What a
difference in perspective, especially in a changing and contradictory society!
The author focuses on that barrier between girls who are, in truth, hovering
between childhood and adulthood. The younger child still looks at life with the
eyes of a child, demanding that the world be as it should be. The older sister,
engulfed in a whirlwind of change and experience, tries to understand and fit
into the adult world. At times, using the brief advantage of experience and the
inherent openness of conversation between siblings, the older sister tries to
explain the complications of the adult world to the younger sister, but it is
all in vain. We only listen to words that we understand and accept. When the
older sister is growing up too fast, lacking guideposts and accepted limits,
the world spins out of control for everyone. The younger child stands back,
aware of but not sharing her older sister’s interests and focus. Lives separate
and go in different directions. The result is a painful drama that, if told in
the circumstances of this novel, must be gently conveyed with insistent
honesty; in this novel, told through the voice of the younger child, the
unfolding of an unwholesome relationship makes a compelling beginning to a
story about the unraveling of the threads of a life.
Barbara Forte Abate is a sensitive writer who knows that there are no neutral
observers in a dysfunctional family, even if the family is an extended one of
aunt, uncle, and nieces, gathered only for the summer. An outbreak of discord,
replacing harmony, is bad enough, but it is all too easy for visitors to take
sides in a marital quarrel that should be kept between husband and wife: all it
takes is sympathy and a feeling of understanding. Whether or not the visitors
take sides, they are sure to feel uncomfortable and disturbed by the battle of
bitter words raging around them. Worse still, such a battle may remain
unacknowledged under a curtain of pretense. The picturesque setting of an
seaside house, ideal for the languid days of a summer vacation, takes on
ominous, stormy possibilities when a happy marriage turns sour.
The author clearly recreates her shoreline setting, giving it the tangible
quality that draws Stevie back to bring closure to her past. The author conveys
the expressiveness of the fifties and sixties that lingers in the memory,
easily brought to recall by the music and gyrations of Elvis. Revealingly, it
is just that music that triggers Stevie’s memories. Stevie is part of a
generation free to enjoy the rock ‘n’ roll that their parents distrust. In
writing this book, the author focuses on that aspect of a generation, leaving
out the background of idealism that focused on John F. Kennedy and his dreams
for America. That idealism isn’t very relevant to Stephanie as she changes from
an uncertain girl of thirteen into a young woman trying to embrace life. Hers
is a difficult life to follow in the pages of a book, but the rewards of doing
so are great. We delve into the human condition as we focus on the feminine
perspective, and that is the great reward of reading a novel like this one.
Seeing a character wound up as tightly as Stephanie emerge from her shackles is
both revealing and rewarding. We as readers must hope that this gifted writer
will continue her writing career and imagine other characters who succeed in
the difficult task of coming to terms with who they are. There are difficult
issues here, but acknowledging them is a step toward gaining ascendancy. This
book calls out for discussion as Stephanie senses the force of sexuality in her
own life. With Ash and his life experiences, she has a chance to grow and
control her own life. She can go beyond the desperate secrets that she was
forced to keep by an adult world oblivious to her needs. She can forget the
undeserved guilt that Ash rightfully calls the chip on her shoulder.
Title: The Secret of Lies
Author: Barbara Forte Abate
ISBN: 978-160844-418-2
Reviewer: Jennifer Andrew
The Secret of Lies is a character driven novel, which gave the reader insight into the internal struggle of the main character. Stephanie Burke, was trying to regain some happiness in her life after being dragged through the lies of her family. This young woman, who had been forced to grow up in a web of lies, was attempting to make a life for herself.
The novel began with a prologue before the first chapter. The reader is drawn into the feelings of the main character. You realize her state of mind, the turmoil she has endured and the emotional struggle that has her torn apart by what has happened in her life. Within the first chapter, the reader is brought to the beginning of how it all happened...
Barbara Forte Abate resolves the conflict and does not leave the readers hanging. She brought us through an exciting story through the efforts of her main character. To the detriment of Stephanie’s own relationship, she tries to solve her problems alone...
The characters jump out at you. They are animated and relatable. Barbara does an amazing job in describing the characters; the setting, Stephanie’s hometown, the people she interacts with, her own family and making it all come together in one satisfying story...
Barbara Forte Abate has written a creative, entertaining story in The Secret of Lies, which makes any reader understand the hidden secrets in any family. Your heart goes out to lovable characters and an appreciation for what is important.
J. Andrew
Freelance Writer and Book Reviewer
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