Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “Keeper of Secrets will cause you to look inside yourself as you journey through these well-written, interconnecting short-stories. Each story reveals a vulnerability within each character that provokes you to wonder why you do what you do. It is not a breeze through read. It is one you...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “I purchased this back in 2007 when I first learned about its release. The premise was instantaly intriguing and hooked me: An incident in a restaurant has a ripple and revealing effect on several people present and not present. I thought immediately of the movie Crash, which I loved, and looked...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“Anjuelle Floyd gives a breathe of fresh air--newness and creativity in her short stories that connects to other short stories within in the book. This should have been called the "family sagas" as a novel.
Adrienna T wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Moreover, she engages the reader into multicultural relationships and third world countries with their rituals/affairs. Her writing style is brilliantly written and readers need to take their time without distractions to catch even deadly secret thrown at you, while still begging for more to unleash!
I also enjoyed reading about the trials and lifestyles of psychoanalysts, psychotherapists, and other professional careers, as they face their clients as their memories are revealed on the surface.
Dream 4 More Reviews,
Adrienna Turner Sweet Dreams”
“In a sequence of eight stories whose epicenter revolves around a near-fatal incident in a restaurant, Anjuelle Floyd explores the ripple effect of this event as it touches a network of interconnected individuals. They make up a community of successful, artistic African Americans, traumatized emotionally and physically by their past or recent experiences dealing with life, love, violence, apathy, death, and blame.
Lalla L wrote this review Wednesday, August 20 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Floyd uses her psychiatric training and interest in Buddhism to illustrate how one shocking moment pushes people along the path to self-reflection and self-awareness as well as how to forgive both themselves and others.
Though these stories primarily involve African-Americans in the Bay Area, the stories are universally appealing and relate to the lives of all of us. The last two stories of the suite, however, seem a bit disjointed from the rest; as though the author absolutely wanted to include the horrors of 9/11 and the Iraq War in this collection to illustrate other ways of suffering and healing. These two seem a bit moralizing, going beyond the theme of moving towards inner peace, which rings clear throughout the rest of the narrative.
If you want a thoughtful short-length read, this book provides an opportunity to explore identity and universal themes that touch us all throughout our lives, with a heady dose of good psychiatry and meditation.”
“Keeper of Secrets is a collection of eight short stories, tightly woven together by one event that takes place in a restaurant between a couple of strangers.
inkserotica wrote this review Friday, August 15 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This anthology, like the binding event within the stories, can be perceived in different ways and, in turn, it can have a variety of meanings and effects on those who read or experience it. This particular collection touches on so many thought provoking subjects that it would be unusual for it not to have a profound effect on its readers in some way.
Keeper of Secrets is not a casual, light read but this shouldn't be a deterrent. Ms Floyd has put her extensive knowledge of psychology to good use and this is reflected in the complexity of the individual characters. All in all, an astounding and interesting read.”
“Psychotherapy and neurology usually are entities that would be subjective to analysis in fueling the need to confront problematic issues that are both familial and prevalent. Author Anjuelle Floyd makes a poignant case for this in the form of her debut novel, KEEPER OF SECRETS. The subtitle, `Translations of an Incident' gives a somewhat intrusive look in the what, when, how, and where for a page-turning treat. Rarely do we exist without trial and tribulation due to occurrences that color our very existence. The gist of the book revolves around a single incident in a restaurant that touches each character from those present to those not in attendance. Ms Floyd uses different hues that are connected in bringing spectrums that give her eight short stories good contrast and relevant context. I marveled at how she wrote each character that made up this volume reasonable and noteworthy. First and foremost though, technical and artistic merit should be noted relative to the style in which she wrote the book. Linked indelibly to a restaurant scene, the author manages to take personal translations of the incident and propel them toward deeper revelations, bringing the characters synonymously closer in their search for self gratification and the true meaning of their lives. This is no easy task - to have separate stories, but tie the theme relative to one train of thought - confronting your deepest fears to reveal truths that unlock the key to freedom.
TheJackal wrote this review Thursday, July 24 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Freedom in this case is the group of stories that have shared intimacy and reconciliation giving reason if not hope, for self-awareness to propel legitimacy to know that you truly belong. This is the `why' I spoke of earlier. The characters are interwoven via eight stories with each protagonist highlighting the `secrets' holding them prisoners. Certain questions abound that has bearing on stylistic renderings that the author took liberty to exploit. Take for instance the first story in this excellent novel, Dancing Sivah: Raven Clarke, a former psychotherapist, is wrestling with issues of guilt surrounding an aborted pregnancy that may be associated with her infant daughter's nonstop nightly crying, and reconciling with her mother. Is it because it's a bad omen suggesting the wrong decisions were made concerning Absylom, her Ugandan lover? Furthermore, can she get back to that place in time that would bring solvency in the justification for a second chance instrumental in her sanity and harmony? Will overcoming implied transgressions ease her burdens in reclaiming her life? An argument which turns violent finds herself in the middle of confusion with her current husband subjected to the issue.
That incident witnessed by a roomful of people triggers a series of back stories, secrets and lies from the past, and is the backdrop for the other stories therein. The keeper of secrets has their individual story to tell, and they do so with the reward of redemption hovering near. The other stories are just as compelling and delve into the psyche of hurt, the gullible gall of guilt, and the parameters of Karmic truth that forces the characters to bare their souls and deal with applicable initiative to garner solutions. The title story Keeper of Secrets, deals with Lahni Irete who seeks psychotherapy in order to understand terms of misplaced endearment stemming from childhood angst, as well as lingering doubts about her choice in marrying a blind Nigerian financier in lieu of a longtime friend. In Three Movements, Arianne Gadsenf's faith in her ability to counsel terminally ill patients is thrown into chaos around a deceased patient allegedly not who she purported to be. Michael Banks is the protagonist in The Bridge. This story bridges gaps that may connect him to a successful marriage elusive to him, and give credence to holding tight on reins that may harness the truths that have always beset him. The crux of it culminates and is the coda for redeeming justice. Can Michael come to grips with his earlier confrontation allowing things to not spiral out of control one day on the Richmond Bridge?
The four other stories, Myrandha; The Object of Compassion; In Baghdad; and As Far as I Can See...In a Day all show Anjuelle Floyd's ability to allow drama to intensify to a crescendo that lets us down easy through apertures that illustrate good emotional pictures. Each story takes on a perspective for ties to bind hidden truths, and expose concerns to confront secrets that haunt. With an adept hold of imagery and a willingness to go beyond status quo, Anjuelle Floyd has made a believer of me, and anxiously awaits the next nugget from this golden gifted writer. Take a chance on this novel, and know that good stories don't always have to be separate to educe connectivity. Anjuelle Floyd is for real! ”“I purchased this back in 2007 when I first learned about its release. The premise was instantaly intriguing and hooked me: An incident in a restaurant has a ripple and revealing effect on several people present and not present. I thought immediately of the movie Crash, which I loved, and looked forward to digging into this book with the same eagerness.
Gracie wrote this review Friday, May 23 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I got as far as the third "translation" before I finally put the book down in frustration. Too many characters, constant viewpoint and time shifts and flashbacks made the story drag and there just wasn't enough external conflict to balance out all the internal conflicts for me.
To the writer's credit, the narrative was well-written overall, but ultimately I didn't care enough about the characters to carry me through the story and the slow pace and introspective style just wasn't my cup of tea. I'm sure other readers might have different opinions. ”
“Eight stories with recurrent themes, long held secrets that elevate tensions within complex relationship triads. The author tries to take us deeply into her characters as they themselves enter a land where words could not travel (38) and travel deeply into the wilderness of their own thoughts (58). I would not call Keeper of Secrets an easy read nor will the thoughts it provokes depart easily. ”
AL wrote this review Monday, January 7 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Sounds interesting.”
Hollywood Rachel 101 :) wrote this review Thursday, October 25 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No1 of 1 members found this review helpful“Keeper of Secrets will cause you to look inside yourself as you journey through these well-written, interconnecting short-stories. Each story reveals a vulnerability within each character that provokes you to wonder why you do what you do. It is not a breeze through read. It is one you will want to curl of in a corner and forbid others to speak to you unitl you want it. Linda!”
booklov3r wrote this review Tuesday, September 11 2007. ( reply | view 1 replies | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
displaying 1-8 of 8
