51 pages • 1 hour read
Kelly RimmerThe Things We Cannot Say
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2019A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer, the narrative alternates between Alina Dziak, a Polish farm girl facing the atrocities of World War II, and her granddaughter Alice Michaels, an overwhelmed American mother dealing with her own family challenges. Alice travels to Poland to uncover a long-hidden family secret, triggering a deeper understanding of love, resilience, and sacrifice. This book contains themes of war and the Holocaust that some readers may find distressing.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer has garnered praise for its heartfelt storytelling and well-developed characters, seamlessly weaving historical and contemporary narratives. However, some critics find its plot predictable and the pacing uneven at times. Overall, it's lauded for its emotional depth and vivid depiction of World War II hardships.
Who Should Read The Things We Cannot Say?
Fans of historical fiction and emotional, multi-generational stories will be drawn to Kelly Rimmer's The Things We Cannot Say. Readers who appreciated Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale or Martha Hall Kelly's Lilac Girls will find this novel captivating, as it intertwines WWII history with contemporary family dynamics and secrets.