Discover 'Secrets We Kept', a poignant narrative that weaves together a rich tapestry of family, resilience, and the quest for identity against a backdrop of historical turmoil. This compelling 352-page novel, published by W W Norton & Company in 2018, delves into the life of Krystal A. Sital, who reflects on her childhood amidst the vibrant landscapes of Trinidad. As she transitions to New Jersey, the echoes of her family’s past come alive when her grandparent's fall brings hidden stories of strength, survival, and legacy to the forefront. Set against the challenges of economic stagnation and crime, this tale of women's bonds explores the deep-rooted secrets passed down through generations. Through lyrical patois and heartwarming exchanges, you'll uncover the struggles and triumphs of Krystal's mother and grandmother as they navigate a rigid caste system and the scars of history. 'Secrets We Kept' is not just a story; it's an exploration of ambition, cruelty, endurance, and the enduring love that binds women together, urging readers to reflect on their own familial narratives. Embrace the complexity of this transformative journey and understand how the wisdom of past generations shapes the present. Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.

Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.

Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780393609264
Year: 2018
Publisher: W W Norton & Company
Pages: 352


Description:


There, in a lush landscape of fire-petaled immortelle trees and vast plantations of coffee and cocoa, where the three hills along the southern coast act as guardians against hurricanes, Krystal A. Sital grew up idolizing her grandfather, a wealthy Hindu landowner. Years later, to escape crime and economic stagnation on the island, the family resettled in New Jersey, where Krystal's mother works as a nanny, and the warmth of Trinidad seems a pretty yet distant memory. But when her grandfather lapses into a coma after a fall at home, the women he has terrorized for decades begin to speak, and a brutal past comes to light.


In the lyrical patois of her mother and grandmother, Krystal learns the long-held secrets of their family's past, and what it took for her foremothers to survive and find strength in themselves. The relief of sharing their stories draws the three women closer, the music of their voices and care for one another easing the pain of memory.


Violence, a rigid ethnic and racial caste system, and a tolerance of domestic abuse”the harsh legacies of plantation slavery”permeate the history of Trinidad. On the island's plantations, in its growing cities, and in the family's new home in America, Secrets We Kept tells a story of ambition and cruelty, endurance and love, and most of all, the bonds among women and between generations that help them find peace with the past.