Contents
Introduction
When you hear the title The Things We Cannot Say, it already stirs emotions. Written by Kelly Rimmer and published in 2019, this historical fiction novel beautifully blends past and present. It is more than just a story about war—it is about love, resilience, secrets, and healing. Many readers come searching for The Things We Cannot Say summary to understand its impact before diving in. This article will give you a complete overview, while also exploring the book’s themes, characters, and emotional depth.
In simple words, this is a tale of two women, from two different generations, connected by hidden truths. One story unfolds in Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II. The other happens in the present day, as a granddaughter uncovers her grandmother’s past. Together, these timelines reveal the power of memory, family, and love that refuses to fade, even when unspoken.
What Is The Things We Cannot Say About?
At its heart, this book is about courage and secrets. The story alternates between two women—Alina Dziak in the 1940s and Alice in modern times. Alina is a young woman in Poland, facing the horrors of Nazi occupation. She must make difficult choices to protect herself and the people she loves. Her life changes when her childhood sweetheart, Tomasz, is pulled into the war.
On the other side of the timeline, Alice is a devoted mother in present-day America. Her son struggles with autism, and her life is already demanding. When her grandmother becomes gravely ill, Alice is asked to travel to Poland to uncover long-hidden truths. Through Alice’s search, the family history unfolds, bringing past and present together.
This dual timeline structure makes the novel both gripping and emotional. It’s like peeling back layers of history to reveal how personal choices shape entire generations.
Why Readers Connect With the Story
The novel resonates because it feels deeply human. It does not just show war as dates and battles. Instead, it focuses on ordinary people whose lives were disrupted by extraordinary events. Alina represents the countless young women forced to grow up quickly during war. Alice reflects the struggles of modern motherhood, balancing care, duty, and personal discovery.
Kelly Rimmer weaves these struggles with tenderness and realism. Readers connect with the emotions: the fear of loss, the pain of separation, and the strength of enduring love. The The Things We Cannot Say summary reveals that while history can be brutal, the bonds of family and love survive through generations.
Alina Dziak’s Storyline in Poland
In 1942, Alina Dziak lives in a Polish village. She dreams of a simple future—marrying Tomasz, starting a family, and enjoying a peaceful life. But war steals these dreams. Nazi forces occupy the land, and families are torn apart. Alina’s story becomes one of survival. She faces hunger, fear, and betrayal, yet she continues to hope for Tomasz’s return.
Her decisions show incredible bravery. At times, she must pretend, lie, or sacrifice to keep herself and her loved ones alive. Alina’s journey reflects the resilience of women in wartime—those who carried on despite overwhelming loss. Readers often feel her pain as if it were their own, which is why her chapters leave such a lasting impression.
Alice’s Storyline in the Present
Alice’s life is very different, but no less challenging. She is a modern mother raising two children. Her son’s special needs require patience, routine, and constant attention. Alice often feels stretched thin. Then, when her grandmother falls ill, she faces an unexpected task: uncovering the secrets of her grandmother’s past.
Her journey to Poland is not just about fulfilling a request. It becomes a discovery of identity and history. She learns that the struggles she faces today connect to the sacrifices made long ago. Through Alice, readers see how family history can shape the present, even if it remains hidden for years.
Themes in The Things We Cannot Say
Every powerful novel has central themes, and this book is no different. Here are the main ones:
- Love in the Face of War – Alina’s devotion to Tomasz shows how love endures even during the darkest times.
- Secrets and Silence – The title itself suggests unspoken truths. The story shows how secrets can protect but also harm families.
- Generational Connections – Alice’s discoveries highlight how the past influences the present.
- Courage and Sacrifice – Both women make choices that require strength and selflessness.
- The Human Cost of War – Beyond soldiers and battles, the novel focuses on civilians whose lives are forever changed.
Why the Title Matters
The title The Things We Cannot Say is more than just words. It reflects the silence surrounding trauma, secrets, and emotions too heavy to speak aloud. For Alina, the things she cannot say involve survival, betrayal, and lost love. For Alice’s grandmother, it is about hiding painful memories from her family.
In many families, especially those touched by war, silence is a way of coping. The book shows how breaking that silence—through Alice’s journey—can bring healing and understanding across generations.
Writing Style and Tone
Kelly Rimmer writes with a heartfelt, clear, and emotional style. She avoids overcomplicated language, making the story accessible to all readers. Her descriptions of wartime Poland are vivid, painting a realistic picture of hunger, fear, and hope. At the same time, her portrayal of Alice’s modern challenges feels authentic and relatable.
The mix of historical fiction and contemporary drama makes the novel unique. It does not just transport readers back in time—it connects that history to today’s families. This style helps keep the book engaging from start to finish.
Critical Reception
Since its release, the novel has received praise from readers and critics alike. Many reviews highlight its emotional impact, calling it both heartbreaking and inspiring. On Goodreads and Amazon, thousands of readers have given it high ratings, often mentioning how the story stayed with them long after finishing.
Some readers note that the dual timeline can be emotional to process, but most agree that it adds depth. The balance of history and modern life makes the novel stand out in the crowded field of World War II fiction.
Lessons Readers Can Take Away
Every great book teaches something. The Things We Cannot Say summary reminds us of the importance of family stories. Many families carry hidden histories—moments of pain, courage, or survival that are never fully shared. The novel encourages readers to ask questions, listen, and preserve those stories before they are lost.
It also teaches resilience. Both Alina and Alice face challenges that could break them, yet they endure. Their stories show that while we cannot control history, we can choose how we carry its weight.
FAQs About The Things We Cannot Say
1. What is The Things We Cannot Say about in simple terms?
It’s a novel that connects World War II Poland with modern-day family life. It follows Alina, who faces the war, and Alice, who uncovers her grandmother’s hidden past.
2. Is the book based on true events?
While the characters are fictional, the historical setting is real. The struggles of Polish families during Nazi occupation are based on real history.
3. Who wrote The Things We Cannot Say?
The book was written by Kelly Rimmer, an Australian author known for emotional historical and contemporary novels.
4. Why is the novel so emotional?
Because it focuses on human struggles—love, survival, family secrets, and sacrifice. Readers connect deeply to both timelines.
5. Does the story have a happy ending?
The novel balances heartbreak with hope. While not every ending is perfect, it leaves readers with a sense of healing and love.
6. What audience would enjoy this book?
Anyone who enjoys historical fiction, family dramas, or dual-timeline novels will find it meaningful. It’s especially recommended for readers who liked The Nightingale or Lilac Girls.
Conclusion
The Things We Cannot Say summary is more than a retelling of a novel—it is a reminder of why stories matter. Kelly Rimmer gives us a tale that bridges generations, showing how the past continues to shape the present. Through Alina’s courage and Alice’s search, we see that silence can be broken, and truth can heal.
If you haven’t read this book yet, it’s worth picking up. It’s not just about war—it’s about family, love, and the resilience of the human spirit. Sometimes, the hardest stories to tell are the ones that matter the most.
