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.

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.

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.

Emotional / Mysterious / Melancholic / Bittersweet / Contemplative

- The story in The Things We Cannot Say is intricately woven with historical themes, particularly drawing inspiration from World War II, as it intertwines two timelines to deepen the narrative's emotional impact.
- Kelly Rimmer was inspired by her own family history, which included experiences from Poland during World War II, to craft the characters and events within the novel.
- The Things We Cannot Say has received numerous accolades for its poignant portrayal of resilience and love, earning it a place on several bestseller lists.

Kelly Rimmer

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Things We Cannot Say and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Things We Cannot Say Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Chapter 7

The Things We Cannot Say Prologue-Chapter 7 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 8-14

The Things We Cannot Say Chapters 8-14 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 15-25

The Things We Cannot Say Chapters 15-25 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 26-33

The Things We Cannot Say Chapters 26-33 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 34-Epilogue

The Things We Cannot Say Chapter 34-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Things We Cannot Say Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Things We Cannot Say Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Things We Cannot Say Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

The Things We Cannot Say Literary Devices

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Things We Cannot Say Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Things We Cannot Say Essay Topics

The Things We Cannot Say

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Things We Cannot Say?

Reading Age

Book Details