Customer Reviews

Every Secret Thing

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I liked this book. It's better than most Christian fiction books. I loved the fact that the main character had a passion for books and I wished there had been even more demonstration of her literary knowledge in the story. Anne Tatlock's portrayal of someone in relationship with God is very good--nowhere is she preachy--she allows God to maintain His mystery. The character development disappointed me, however, in it's lack of intensity. I never believed that Elizabeth loved Ray, so when things didn't work out between them, I thought, "oh well." The character of Lennon isn't fully developed, so once again, when Beth falls in love with him I also thought "oh well". Overall, good, but not great.

When I read Ann Tatlock's beautiful novel All the Way Home in high school, I was introduced to a Christian author who, for the first time in my experience, seemed to care quite a bit about the literary value of her writing. I was enchanted by the book's lyrical prose and intricate storyline. Since then, Ms. Tatlock's novels A Room of My Own and I'll Watch the Moon have become favorites of mine as well. Her work was the prototype for me, in a sense - my introduction to truly well-written Christian fiction.

Every Secret Thing did not disappoint. It is a slowly intriguing story - and by slowly intriguing I mean that while it takes time to draw you in (I found the first few chapters a little dry), by the time you are finished you care deeply about the characters and what happens to them. It is an introspective, character-driven novel. The language is simple. It does not dazzle you on every page. But every once in awhile its simplicity is enlivened by a startlingly apt reflection, or a vivid illustration.

This is the story of Beth Gunnar, a middle-aged single woman who returns to her Delaware roots to teach at Seaton, her high school alma mater. It is the story of three educational generations, so to speak - the mystery surrounding Beth's former teacher, Theodore Sutton; the blossoming of Satchel Queen, one of Beth's students; and of course, Beth herself, her powerful past and her enigmatic future, her "moments of being" and her searching for answers.

Two things impressed me about the novel's themes. One was that an author who so obviously values literature and writing, and who created a character who also values literature and writing, is able to note both the beauty and the ultimate emptiness of that focus. The other is that one of the most climactic and poignant moments in the book is about Jesus - a moment so tender that I reread it multiple times and memorized some of it. It was a moment not inserted as a sermon or so the book could be called Christian, but because it was the right time for it in the story, and it was the right story to be told. It is difficult to achieve that balance in Christian fiction, and brave to attempt it.

When Elizabeth Gunnar returns as a teacher to her childhood preparatory school where she first experienced a sense of being "seen" and of belonging, she finds herself not so well prepared to revisit old, but not forgotten, tender emotions and fractured memories. Before she has time to sort it all out, Beth is inundated with her responsibilities as a full-time English instructor at Seaton Preparatory School in Delaware (the state that no believes really exists).

Finding her feet, Beth meets the other instructors, introduces herself to her students and has to fight one nagging but eventful memory in particular. What really ever happened to her former English teacher, Mr. Dutton? Was he still alive as Beth suspected? Why did he try to end his life after having instilled in his students an appreciation for it? Frustrated with herself for this constant inner-unsettledness, Beth tries to let the mystery go, but every specter of her life back at Seaton is a reminder of something she has failed to come to grips with in the past 20 years.

Despite her unseen angst, Beth is well suited for the task of imparting a contagious love for reading and writing to her students. Enter Satchel Queen, another hurting soul to whom Beth relates --- a kindred spirit of sorts. Satchel (tentatively, at first) opens her thoughts via essays to Beth, and they discuss life, loss and disappointment together in the lonely fall evenings. As Satchel unearths her own personal story of lost love, Beth discovers similar thoughts starting to wander around, jostling her and reminding her that there are some unanswered questions lingering in the backdrop of her heart and mind as well.

An old crush soon re-enters Beth's life, and as they reacquaint themselves, she wonders if romantic love has finally come to stay at her home. But even as hopeful as she is, Mr. Dutton's suicide attempt becomes a focus of conversation between her and Ray, leaving Beth once again pondering the disjunct between Mr. Dutton's eloquent words and his actions. Secrets come to light and more disappointments ensue, but most importantly, Beth has the chance to set things right for herself and for Satchel as Mr. Dutton resurfaces in their town.

With Satchel's need for a family and a sense of belonging to someone, Beth takes a risk and introduces her student to the Duttons. There, Satchel finds part-time employment and, better still, camaraderie of spirit. Beth has to work at trusting her former teacher, seeing with her own eyes that he has changed but feeling with her heart an ongoing betrayal. As the school year progresses, Beth has to let go of some dreams at great cost in order to embrace the possibility of possessing something more worthy. Her languished faith in God is rebirthed, along with a sense of freedom and purpose that she handily passes on to Satchel and those within her sphere of influence.

Ann Tatlock possesses the uncanny ability to unlock the secret reservoirs of the heart, one turn at a time, just enough so that readers aren't frightened away by what she exposes. Then, she gracefully takes the uncertainty and the hurt and uses lovely, promising pictures of hope restored to gently nudge her audience along the way. Tatlock's prose is simply exquisite.

--- Reviewed by Michele Howe

Elizabeth Gunnar is the new English teacher at Seaton Preparatory School, her alma mater. After years of living elsewhere, she falls right back in with her best friend from school, Natalie, who is concerned that her friend is still single.

Natalie seems uninterested in discussing the mystery surrounding a teacher back when they were students. School staff had made up a story that the instructor lived through a `heart attack' but was no longer able to teach. The whole thing seemed to overshadow the remainder of the term for Elizabeth, Natalie and two boys who were also involved. It still haunted Elizabeth,

One of those boys had been of particular interest, and now that she's back in Delaware, he shows an interest in her. Being separated from his wife, and facing an impending divorce, could make the couple think maybe fate had brought them back together. But the ex-wife hasn't completely disappeared, she's still making noises.

Satchel Queen is a challenging student. Life has thrown her a few curve balls and her confusion and hurt could lead her to places where her light won`t shine. This very special pupil gives Elizabeth reason to dig a little deeper into memories of her life at that age. While trying to teach Satchel about life, Elizabeth learns lessons of her own about forgiveness and healing.

Ann Tatlock does a wonderful job of weaving plot and subplots. Believable characters and original dialogue keep the story moving and compelling. Christian ideas are openly folded into the mix without sermonizing. Leaves the reader wondering if there will be a follow up of the characters you'll come to care about.

Armchair Interviews says: Easy to read, this mildly intricate tale has messages both profound and tranquil.

Ann Tatlock has a distinctive almost lyrical style to her writing. Reading her work is like listening to a symphony. As you are introduced to her characters, you catch a nuance of stringed instruments, and as the plot unfolds, you feel an underlying mystery in the base notes, enhanced by the woodwinds of Tatlock's descriptions.

In a sonata of past and present, Every Secret Thing will leave its melody in your heart long after you turn the final page. This is the first of Ann Tatlock's books that I've read, but I can assure you it won't be the last. This reviewer gives Every Secret Thing a high recommendation.

Reviewed by Ane Mulligan
www.anemulligan.com

This was one of Ann Tatlock's better books as far as I was concerned. It was not predictable. It was not too preachy. It brought out a good message with just enough mystery to keep me turning the pages. It ended well and I could smile when I closed it for the last time.

The main character returns to the a private school that she attended as a teenager, as an adult- now a teacher at the school. The story unfolds a secret scandel that happened on campus when she went to school there. The suspense keeps you turning pages. Interesting relationships are formed opening and revealing clues and answers. Good read!

I picked up this book at random at the library. My thought after reading the first few pages was that this novel must be from a vanity press. But no, it is a Christian publishing house. So here we have Beth who remembers that as a student at this deluxe private school she was near paralyzed by the thought that her whole future in life would be determined by the grades she got in secondary school. Nevertheless, she is a member of a 6-person coterie that spend time reading poetry and philosophizing with a popular drunken English teacher who introduces the boys to drink and drugs. Something bad happens to this guy and the mystery of what it could have been has haunted poor Beth for the following 20 years or so. I didn't quite get this part, but all her life Beth has felt invisible until some special moments when she realizes that she is visible to God. After she returns to teach at her alma mater, a pathetic girl named Suitcase or Backpack or something ridiculous becomes her special project and they have some special moments together - but don't get your hopes up; they're nothing like that! Anyway, if you like Praise Rock instead of Rock 'n Roll, you'll love this book.

I just finished reading this book and wanted to write this review while it was still fresh in my mind.
First, I didn't realize this book was categorized as "Christian fiction" and I was somewhat put off by that. I honestly don't think I've read a "Christian fiction" title before and so I wasn't sure what to expect. But I didn't want to be "preached to".
I picked this book up second-hand, otherwise I doubt I would have bought it. But I will say that it's almost unfortunate that this book is categorized as Christian fiction, because that may be limiting the audience and it really is a piece of literary fiction with a great story! It would be a shame for someone to pass on this read.

I loved the characters and the plot! I think if you enjoy "Dead Poets Society" you will also enjoy this book and the setting. If you love books and literature, you will also enjoy this book, as did I for the same reason.
The only two complaints (maybe too harsh to use the word complaint) is the ending and the title. Oh, I loved the ending. But it did get packaged up nice and tidy--maybe even too much so. If that is something that annoys you, then you will be annoyed. But if that is something that satisfies you, well, you will be satisfied!

The other issue is the title. It's unfortunate that there are several other books with this same title. Given that, I think a better title could have been selected. But that is getting pretty nit-picky, isn't it? Overall, I really enjoyed this book. This is the first time I've read anything by Ann Tatlock and I see she's written several books, so I will definitely try another one!

Every Secret Thing
By Ann Tatlock
Review by Cheri Clay






After moving around, Beth Gunnar comes home to teach English at Seaton Preparatory School in Hockessin, Delaware--her old school where she graduated in 1977. Her parents have long retired to Asheville, North Carolina but actually Beth feels she's come home. Of course it brings back the old memories of times spent with her group the Barbarians and her favorite teacher, Mr. Dutton, who taught English. But it brings up bad memories too: like why did Mr. Dutton commit suicide in her senior year?

She reconnects with her best friend Natalie, who she's only stayed in touch with via email all these years. At Homecoming she reconnects with Ken and Ray, the other two members of the Barbarians. She begins to date Ray again, her steady boyfriend in high school, who is now divorced with three kids. She takes one of her students, Satchel Queen, a lover of books and loner like herself, under her wing and helps her to blossom, especially in writing just like Mr. Dutton did with her.

Beth has Ray tell her again the story of what he and Ken saw that April 1st night in 1977 when he and Ken found Mr. Dutton in his cabin after cutting his wrist. They knew he was dead but why had the school staged such a cover up as they told the students that Mr. Dutton had a heart attack and was still alive? Natalie accuses Beth of being obsessed and needs to let his death go and forget about it as the other three have done. But Beth can't let it go.

In this awesome tale, writer Ann Tatlock captures your heart and even your mind from the very first page. An unmistakable page-turner, you'll wonder too why Mr. Dutton committed suicide and why Satchel is so unhappy.
You'll find yourself drawn into and relating to Beth, especially if you feel invisible, a loner just as she does. See how God brings closure, happiness, and forgiveness in this timeless romantic suspense. Also included are reader discussions questions, which helps make this book perfect for book groups. A perfect read for teens and adults alike. Ann Tatlock is a remarkable writer! Don't just take this reviewer's word on it--even Publisher's Weekly named her as "one of Christian fiction's better wordsmiths." So if you want to curl up with a good book, I highly recommend Every Secret Thing.