51 pages • 1 hour read
The Things We Cannot Say
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
426
Novel • Fiction
Poland • 1940s
2019
Graydon House
Adult
18+ years
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.
Emotional
Mysterious
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
231,025 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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.
231,025 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Alice Michaels
Alice Michaels
A 30-something full-time mother, Alice navigates her personal struggles and fulfills a vital familial mission that leads to her self-discovery.
Tomasz Slaski
Tomasz Slaski
A handsome and devoted character, Tomasz plays a crucial role in the Polish underground and makes a significant sacrifice during the Nazi occupation.
Wade Michaels
Wade Michaels
A high-profile research supervisor, Wade undergoes character growth as he learns to connect with his family, particularly with his autistic son, through patience and love.
426
Novel • Fiction
Poland • 1940s
2019
Graydon House
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.