Family Secrets

出版者:Oxford University Press, USA

作者:Deborah Cohen

页数:400

出版时间:2013-4-24

价格:USD 34.95

装帧:Hardcover

isbn号码:9780199977802

具体描述

We live today in a culture of full disclosure, where tell-all memoirs top the best-seller lists, transparency is lauded, and privacy seems imperiled. But how did we get here?

Exploring scores of previously sealed records, Family Secrets offers a sweeping account of how shame--and the relationship between secrecy and openness--has changed over the last two centuries in Britain. Deborah Cohen uses detailed sketches of individual families as the basis for comparing different sorts of social stigma. She takes readers inside an Edinburgh town house, where a genteel maiden frets with her brother over their niece's downy upper lip, a darkening shadow that might betray the girl's Eurasian heritage; to a Liverpool railway platform, where a heartbroken mother hands over her eight-year old illegitimate son for adoption; to a town in the Cotswolds, where a queer vicar brings to his bank vault a diary--sewed up in calico, wrapped in parchment--that chronicles his sexual longings. Cohen explores what families in the past chose to keep secret and why. She excavates the tangled history of privacy and secrecy to explain why privacy is now viewed as a hallowed right while secrets are condemned as destructive.

In delving into the dynamics of shame and guilt, Family Secrets explores the part that families, so often regarded as the agents of repression, have played in the transformation of social mores from the Victorian era to the present day. Written with compassion and keen insight, this is a bold new argument about the sea-changes that took place behind closed doors.

作者简介

Deborah Cohen is Ritzma Professor of the Humanities and Professor of History at Northwestern University. She is the author of Household Gods: The British and their Possessions and The War Come Home: Disabled Ex-Servicemen in Britain and Germany, 1914-1939.

目录信息

Introduction
Part I: Telling Secrets
1. The Nabob's Secrets
2. Revelation in the Divorce Court
Part II: Shame and Guilt, Nature and Nurture
3. Children Who Disappeared
4. Other People's Bastards
5. Bachelor Uncles
Part III: Secret No More?
6. Talking it Out
7. The Repressive Family
Epilogue: Genealogy and Confessional Culture
· · · · · · (收起)

用户评价

This novel is a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the human experience. It’s a book that will make you think, feel, and perhaps even re-evaluate your own perspectives. The author’s insightful observations on human nature and the complexities of family are both profound and beautifully articulated. The resolution of the story felt earned and satisfying, without resorting to clichés. It provided a sense of closure while also leaving room for contemplation. It’s a story that understands that life’s complexities rarely have simple answers, and it reflects that understanding in its thoughtful conclusion.

我从来没有想过，一本关于“秘密”的书，能够如此深入地探讨人性的复杂与脆弱。这本书让我看到了，即便是在最亲密的家庭关系中，也可能隐藏着不为人知的角落。作者并没有简单地将人物划分为好人或坏人，而是展现了他们行为背后的动机，那些或许是出于善意，又或许是源于恐惧，最终导致了种种误解与隔阂。我常常在阅读过程中，停下来思考，如果是我，在这种情况下会做出怎样的选择？这种代入感，是这本书最让我着迷的地方之一。 作者的文字功底同样令人印象深刻。她的描写生动而富有画面感，仿佛我亲身置身于那个充满烟火气的家庭场景之中。那些细微的情感变化，那些欲说还休的眼神，那些潜藏在日常对话中的深层含义，都被她捕捉得淋漓尽致。我尤其喜欢她处理回忆的方式，那些闪烁在现实与过去之间的片段，将不同时期的情感和经历巧妙地串联起来，形成了一幅完整而动人的家族画卷。

I was completely enthralled by the sheer artistry of the storytelling. The prose is elegant and evocative, painting vivid pictures in my mind. The author possesses a rare gift for capturing the nuances of human emotion and translating them into compelling prose. Each sentence felt carefully crafted, contributing to the overall richness and depth of the narrative. The pacing of the story is also worth noting. It’s neither too rushed nor too slow, allowing the reader to fully absorb the weight of each moment. The build-up to significant plot points is expertly handled, creating a sense of genuine impact when those revelations finally come to light. It’s a testament to the author’s control over their craft.

我 must say, the way this book unfolded was absolutely captivating. The author has a remarkable talent for weaving intricate plotlines that keep you guessing until the very end. I found myself constantly trying to piece together the puzzle, anticipating the next revelation, and yet, the narrative still managed to surprise me with its twists and turns. It’s not just about the big secrets; it's about the small, seemingly insignificant details that, in hindsight, hold immense significance. The emotional depth of the characters is another aspect that truly resonated with me. They are not perfect, far from it, but their flaws and vulnerabilities make them incredibly relatable. I felt a genuine connection to their struggles, their heartbreaks, and their moments of triumph. It’s a testament to the author’s skill that I felt so invested in their journeys, rooting for them even when they made questionable decisions.

《Family Secrets》这本书，我得说，它真的像是一场精心编排的戏剧，让我深深沉浸其中，久久不能自拔。从我翻开第一页的那一刻起，我就被卷入了一个错综复杂的情感漩涡。作者对于人物塑造的功力堪称一绝，每一个角色都仿佛拥有自己的生命，他们的喜怒哀乐，他们的挣扎与抉择，都如此真实地触动着我的内心。我能感受到他们隐藏在平静表面下的暗流涌动，那些被岁月尘封的往事，那些在家族成员之间传递的无声秘密，都在作者细腻的笔触下一点点地剥落，展现出最原始、最动人的肌理。 更令我赞叹的是，作者在叙事节奏的把握上游刃有余。故事并非一蹴而就，而是层层递进，仿佛剥洋葱一般，每一次揭开新的篇章，都伴随着新的疑问和期待。我时常会因为一个突如其来的转折而心跳加速，又会在某个平静的时刻，被人物内心深处的独白所触动，甚至流下眼泪。那些关于爱、关于牺牲、关于背叛的描写，都如此真实地烙印在我脑海中，让我开始反思自己与亲人之间的关系，以及那些我们不曾言说的爱和伤害。

This book is a profound exploration of human relationships and the enduring power of secrets. It’s a story that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page, prompting introspection and a deeper understanding of the people in your life. The author has managed to create a narrative that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. The way the author navigates the complexities of loyalty, betrayal, and forgiveness is truly commendable. These are not easy themes to tackle, but they are handled with sensitivity and a profound understanding of the human condition. I found myself grappling with these concepts throughout the book, and the author’s nuanced approach offered no easy answers, which is precisely what makes it so compelling.

The character development in this novel is exceptional. Each individual felt like a fully realized person, with their own motivations, fears, and desires. I found myself empathizing with their struggles, even when their choices were difficult to understand. The author has a gift for revealing the layers of a character, showing us not just what they do, but why they do it. The dialogue is particularly sharp and authentic, further enhancing the sense of realism. The conversations felt natural, brimming with subtext and unspoken emotions. It’s through these interactions that the true nature of the characters and their relationships are revealed, making the narrative all the more impactful.

《Family Secrets》这本书，真的让我体验了一场心灵的洗礼。它不仅仅是一个故事，更像是一面镜子，映照出我们内心深处那些最真实的情感。我被书中人物的成长和蜕变所深深打动，他们经历了痛苦，但也从中汲取了力量，最终找到了属于自己的救赎之路。尤其是那位主人公，她面对家族的重重迷雾，没有选择逃避，而是勇敢地去探寻真相，这个过程充满了艰辛，但也充满了希望。 作者在处理人物的内心世界方面，做得尤为出色。我能清晰地感受到他们内心的矛盾与挣扎，那些在道德与情感之间的徘徊，那些在责任与欲望中的抉择。每一个人物都有着自己独特的弧光，他们的故事交织在一起，共同构成了这个庞大而动人的家族史诗。读完之后，我感觉自己仿佛也经历了一次深刻的成长，对亲情、对人生有了更深层次的理解。

I have to admit, I was utterly engrossed in the world the author created. It felt so vivid and tangible that I could almost smell the air and feel the emotions of the characters. This immersive quality is a rare feat, and it speaks volumes about the author's ability to transport the reader into the heart of the story. The exploration of the consequences of past actions was a particularly strong element for me. The book beautifully illustrates how even hidden truths can have far-reaching effects, shaping not only the present but also the future. It’s a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of our lives and the weight of our choices.

This novel is a masterclass in building suspense and maintaining a gripping narrative. From the opening pages, I was hooked. The author masterfully uses foreshadowing and subtle hints to create an atmosphere of unease and anticipation. You know something significant is lurking beneath the surface, but you can't quite grasp it, and that constant sense of mystery is what drives the reading experience forward. What impressed me most was the author's ability to delve into the complexities of family dynamics. It’s a delicate balance, exploring the bonds and the burdens that come with being part of a family. The portrayal of intergenerational trauma and the way secrets can ripple through generations was particularly powerful. It made me reflect on my own family history and the unspoken narratives that often shape us.

故事讲得不错，理论弱了一些

故事讲得不错，理论弱了一些

故事讲得不错，理论弱了一些

故事讲得不错，理论弱了一些

故事讲得不错，理论弱了一些