a_neverending_tbr's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I started this as an audiobook on a road trip and didn’t quite finish but was so enthralled by the story that I downloaded the ebook from the library so that I could finish it. I tend to avoid WW II era books because they are just so sad at times but this was a recommendation by a friend and I’m glad I gave it a shot. It definitely is a sad story but there is also so much hope and love in it as well.
It is beautifully written and the dual timeline works well. I started to figure things out but not really until the last minute did I realize exactly how the story played out. I don’t want to say too much because it would spoil the surprises but this is a great read. It also has a great special needs rep and I think moms of special needs children will feel seen by this book.
Romantic Content: Closed door
It is beautifully written and the dual timeline works well. I started to figure things out but not really until the last minute did I realize exactly how the story played out. I don’t want to say too much because it would spoil the surprises but this is a great read. It also has a great special needs rep and I think moms of special needs children will feel seen by this book.
Romantic Content: Closed door
olivianash's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
mitabird's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bigskybooks's review against another edition
5.0
Title: The Things We Cannot Say
Author: Kelly Rimmer
Publisher: Graydon House
Genre: Historical Fiction
The Things We Cannot Say is one of the best books I’ve read and is going on my list of books that stupidly sat on my bookshelf for way too long!!! So if you’re like me and have been meaning to read this one run do.not.walk. It’s that good. It’s up there with The Nightingale for me.
This a dual timeline historical fiction which I love. It’s set in the present day (2019) and 1942 during the war.
Since she was nine years old, Alina knew she was going to marry her best friend Tomasz. Now fifteen and waiting for Tomasz to return from medical college in Warsaw, she does her best to ignore the Nazi soldiers on the border of Poland. She doesn’t believe they actually pose a threat…
But little by little the occupation takes hold of Alina’s tiny village and Alina finds herself ignoring the soldiers patrolling her parent’s farm and clinging to hope. Silence is preferable to grief.
In the present day Alina is aging and has lost the ability to speak. Narrating the present day chapters her granddaughter Alice has her plate full with a husband and two children. One who has autism. Because he son uses technology to speak she is able to use this with her grandmother. Her grandmother is finally ready to spill some secrets and demands Alice to travel to Poland.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I listened to the audiobook and absolutely loved. Loved it! It kept me motivated on my last day driving on my move. Historical fiction fans this book is of you. It’s absolutely a love letter. The author knocked it out of the park. I can’t wait to read her most recent release The German Wife. The @bookfriendsbookclub is reading this on in July if you would like to join us!
Author: Kelly Rimmer
Publisher: Graydon House
Genre: Historical Fiction
The Things We Cannot Say is one of the best books I’ve read and is going on my list of books that stupidly sat on my bookshelf for way too long!!! So if you’re like me and have been meaning to read this one run do.not.walk. It’s that good. It’s up there with The Nightingale for me.
This a dual timeline historical fiction which I love. It’s set in the present day (2019) and 1942 during the war.
Since she was nine years old, Alina knew she was going to marry her best friend Tomasz. Now fifteen and waiting for Tomasz to return from medical college in Warsaw, she does her best to ignore the Nazi soldiers on the border of Poland. She doesn’t believe they actually pose a threat…
But little by little the occupation takes hold of Alina’s tiny village and Alina finds herself ignoring the soldiers patrolling her parent’s farm and clinging to hope. Silence is preferable to grief.
In the present day Alina is aging and has lost the ability to speak. Narrating the present day chapters her granddaughter Alice has her plate full with a husband and two children. One who has autism. Because he son uses technology to speak she is able to use this with her grandmother. Her grandmother is finally ready to spill some secrets and demands Alice to travel to Poland.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I listened to the audiobook and absolutely loved. Loved it! It kept me motivated on my last day driving on my move. Historical fiction fans this book is of you. It’s absolutely a love letter. The author knocked it out of the park. I can’t wait to read her most recent release The German Wife. The @bookfriendsbookclub is reading this on in July if you would like to join us!
chelseaclarke's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
mssegallsays's review against another edition
4.0
Rimmer is a beautiful writer, capable of capturing the nuances in even the most minute of interactions. This novel came alive, in her wonderful descriptions of the interactions between the characters.The progression of the novel is fantastic, I loved the back and forth between Alina & Alice. Horrible to imagine the atrocities faced by those not only directly persecuted by the nazi's, but those who were forced to choose between what they knew was right and surviving. Rimmer does an excellent job of showing the difficulty in those moments, the brokenness of the soul when they survive, and the fight to want to change what you cannot. I would highly recommend this novel, absolutely excellent. I cannot say enough about the beautiful depictions of how people relate to one another, her depictions transcend this novel.
monicovka's review against another edition
5.0
A lovely story told from two perspectives that spans generations. I breezed through this; I was surprised, touched, and enjoyed the story.