The Things We Cannot Say
By Kelly Rimmer
- Release Date: 2019-03-19
- Genre: Historical Fiction
Description
OVER 1 MILLION COPIES SOLD!
The New York Times bestseller—for fans of The Nightingale and All the Light We Cannot See!
From the bestselling author of Before I Let You Go, and the The Warsaw Orphan, Kelly Rimmer’s powerful WWII novel follows a woman’s urgent search for answers to a family mystery that uncovers truths about herself that she never expected.
In 1942, Europe remains in the relentless grip of war. Just beyond the tents of the refugee camp she calls home, a young woman speaks her wedding vows. It’s a decision that will alter her destiny…and it’s a lie that will remain buried until the next century.
Since she was nine years old, Alina Dziak knew she would marry her best friend, Tomasz. Now fifteen and engaged, Alina is unconcerned by reports of Nazi soldiers at the Polish border, believing her neighbors that they pose no real threat, and dreams instead of the day Tomasz returns from college in Warsaw so they can be married. But little by little, injustice by brutal injustice, the Nazi occupation takes hold, and Alina’s tiny rural village, its families, are divided by fear and hate.
Then, as the fabric of their lives is slowly picked apart, Tomasz disappears. Where Alina used to measure time between visits from her beloved, now she measures the spaces between hope and despair, waiting for word from Tomasz and avoiding the attentions of the soldiers who patrol her parents’ farm. But for now, even deafening silence is preferable to grief.
Slipping between Nazi-occupied Poland and the frenetic pace of modern life, Kelly Rimmer creates an emotional and finely wrought narrative. The Things We Cannot Say is an unshakable reminder of the devastation when truth is silenced…and how it can take a lifetime to find our voice before we learn to trust it.
Don’t miss Kelly Rimmer’s newest novel, The Story Keeper, an evocative story about a family’s deepest secrets with an absorbing book-within-a-book mystery!
For more by Kelly Rimmer, look for: The Things We Cannot Say Deluxe Hardcover Edition Before I Let You Go Truths I Never Told You The Warsaw Orphan The German Wife The Paris Agent The Story Keeper
Reviews
5 stars
5By alexischilliLoved the storytelling from start to finish. Inspiring book during this time.Tedious With Moments of Brian’s Wring.
2By Dr. BeltI was overall disappointed.The things we cannot say
5By CindicookbradfordnedbalekIt was an interesting story that keeps you wondering to the end! A book you won’t want to put down! Loved the ending!Didn’t Want It To End
5By drjetb1958I don’t write many reviews, but this one was so special that I had to take the time. It was so difficult to put down. It takes great skill for a writer to effectively handle shifts in setting but Kelly Rimmer handled it with an expert’s hand. I grew to care about each character while being shown all the varying threads which, once woven together, create strong, interesting characters. I particularly felt for Eddie, experiencing the world as a child on the autism spectrum. The struggles his family experienced while trying to cope as best they could were both heart wrenching and heart warming. I’ve read quite a bit about WWII but never about the horrors that happened in Poland. I need to learn more. The twist in the latter part of the novel was not one I expected. Truly a jaw dropping moment when it hit me: No! It can’t be! Beautifully written and meticulously researched, this novel will please those like me who love historical fiction and well-developed characters and settings.The Things We Cannot Say
5By jaf1009Absolutely riveting and heartbreaking and inspiring Wonderful, wonderful, can’t- put- it- down novel.Love and Loss
5By Wine between the chaptersI cried and cried over the last 150 pages!! A story filled with devotion to family, redemption, love and loss! Great read!!Phenomenal book
5By mickhuizarSuch an amazing book. Made me 😭😢🥹I can’t recommend it enough!Page turner
5By MimitoKaliI couldn’t put this book down. I had to keep reading to piece together, who was who and what had happened to this person or that person. This book kept me interested and entertained. I loved all the historical facts as well; I truly learned a lot about that period in history.Well done
5By stgoldb99Moving story well writtenLoved this book
5By trisha's readsOne of my favorite books I have ever read.Tears
5By JKG3367Brought me to tears! Praying now for the USA … I pray we take our broken country and be kind, gentle to each other but ever so watchful of those in power!Heartbreaking and Beautiful
5By Bridge T.Absolutely beautiful historical novel that brought me to tears. Must read this was by far the best book I have read in a long time.Hard to put in words. Incredible story.
5By CarlyM15I rarely give 5 stars. This was an incredible story. The two time periods didn’t seem forced. Both main characters were wonderfully written and about and interesting.Sobbing in my bed at 11:59 on a Monday night.
5By tristaabRead it.Tragic love story
5By Kelly R. 318This story of family, faith and love was enrapturing and heart breaking! This story was very well written and painted a very good picture of the landscape, and the emotional heartaches that WWII brought onto so many innocent families and the physical and mental strength required to survive.The Things We Must Read
5By Ms. OCDemonI loved this book! I enjoy historical fiction and this book did not disappoint! The crossover from past to present and back and forth was very well done in my opinion. In addition, including raising an autistic child with all the love, challenges and beautiful experiences that go along with that was very touching as well.One of the better subplots I’ve read in a while…
5By B4reelHas to do with a family grappling with the challenges of a special needs child and the tolls it takes. The extremes to which Alice’s emotions swung, as it relates to Eddie, felt very real and the “Mom-guilt” equally suffocating. More than anything, this book felt like a very long love-letter that pulled the reader in, page by page.Wonderful book
5By KdemetrisSo well written! Thoroughly enjoyed!Things we should say
5By Mander5392An incredible, yet so realistic story of a time when humans were showing their worst side. If we just looked around us today, we can tell the lessons were never learned. Maybe it’s because not enough people are reading books like this one. My most sincere congratulations to the author for her contribution to memories that must never be lost.

