13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Ms. Alers leave you hanging in Secrets Never Told, August 19, 2003
This review is from: Secrets Never Told (Paperback)
Morgana and Franklin are a very successful African-American couple who allowed success to bridge a gap in their marriage. Upon learning of her husband's infidelity and her mother's death,in the same evening, she flees back to her hometown in the South. There, through her mother's diaries, Morgana finds secrets never told.
After the funeral, Morgana's stays to sort out her mother's business. While there, she meets a young artist and drifts into an affair.
In reading this book, there was no clear defintion as to why Morgana began the affair. It seemed tasteless with no purpose.
For Ms. Alers to suggest Morgana's affair, which was not based on passion or love, but convenience, could be compared to her mother's love affair with Julian was absolutely ridiculous.
In reading her mother's diaries, she suddenly sees the light for forgiveness was unexplainable. This could have been developed more. It made no sense. There was no discussion, screaming, no, I am sorry, nothing between Morgana and Frankllin about hsi affair. I couldn't get pass it.
When Franklin realizes Morgana had an affair, he seemed relieved because he would not have explain his affairs through the years or what made him seek other women. He accepted her affair and said, "Now we are even."
What makes an affair even. Explain this to me.
I recommend if you don't want explainations and willing accept as is, then read it. However, if you want a book with depth and strength, look somewhere else.
The book leaves you hanging. It seems as if Franklin will continue to have affairs because it was a very powerful aphrodisiac to him.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book! A must read!, July 28, 2003
This review is from: Secrets Never Told (Paperback)
This was an excellent book! I hated to see it end. Ms. Alers has done it again. This was a very believable story and it makes you wonder what kind of "secrets never told" are in your family history. This book also makes you realize that no one, no situation is perfect, and that in the blink of an eye, your world can come crashing down. It also teaches you that you don't have to let situations dictate the rest of your life. Morgana could've bemoaned her fate, and let it affect her life in a negative manner, but she didn't. She grieved, she suffered, she grew, she forgave, and she moved on.
I highly recommend this book to current Rochelle Alers fans, and to those who have never read any of her work, pick up this book. It's a great read! Kudos Ms. Alers on another outstanding novel.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Secrets, January 16, 2004
This review is from: Secrets Never Told (Paperback)
The story revolves around Morgana Johnson-Wells, co-owner of an elegant gift shop, mother of two children, and wife to Washington, D.C.'s most celebrated African-American criminal attorney. Morgana is shaken to the core when her mother dies unexpectedly. Calling her husbands uptown apartment to share her grief, she receives another shock as a female answers the phone.
In turmoil over the loss of her mother and her husband's adultery, she heads home to Salvation, Georgia. With the help of her uncle, she put her mother's affairs in order. Packing away memories of the past, she stumbles onto her mother's diary, which brings to life secrets from the past. As Morgana reads the diary, her life is turned upside down. Soon Morgana must answer the same question her mother asked: Is her marriage worth fighting for?
I enjoyed the novel as a whole, but I did not think it was one of Rochelle's best works. The character of Morgana and especially her husband could have been developed more. At times moving between and present was a bit confusing. The ending was somewhat predictable and could have been developed more. I would recommend the book for the marvelously mature audience.
Sylvia
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