Review: The Tangled Road of Happiness
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 16, 2014
Accomplished storyteller Griffin delivers a captivating family saga illuminating the unexpected places friendship, family and love will take you in the pursuit of happiness. At the heart of the story are the secrets and betrayals the indomitable Julia Scott Cheeks and her husband hope to take to their graves. But, now 55 years later, as their grown children Faye, Scott, and Robin wrestle with concerns of their own, chance meetings, an impromptu trip, and an unspoken name cause tension within the family as the past unexpectedly invades the present. Just what is the price for love and happiness?Secrets & Sins is a beautifully constructed novel which will take the reader through a range of emotions as the remarkably well-written plot twists showcase the characters flaws and strengths. My feelings often flip flopped about a character as an eye-opening surprise revealed another layer or motive of the character, and I often thought what would I do in their situation.The past and present details are seamlessly woven into the story with a richness of language that folded me right into their world. I enjoyed how each character was developed and I am sure many will nod their heads and recognize themselves and others. I so appreciated the realistic situations highlighting the magnetic pull of the family bond against the desire to have their own dreams and desires come true. But at the end of the day it is a marvelous telling about the sweet-and-sour spectrum of a life lived.Delightful, suspenseful, charming, and soul-satisfying on the many aspects of love – motherly love, fatherly love, sisterly love, and sensual love makes this a stay-up-all-night read. I highly recommend to book clubs as there is much fodder for a lively discussion.