Book Blurb:
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.
My Review: 4.5 stars
The Things We Cannot Say is an emotional and captivating ride that travels through two time periods and two countries. It will definitely find a place on my favorites of 2019. Fans of The Nightingale and All the Light We Cannot See will adore this book.
The setting was brought to life with minute details that allowed me to see Alina’s home and the trees where she and Tomasz spent “quality” time alone. I understand now, after reading the author’s notes, why the imagery was so good. The book is inspired by her own family history. She traveled to Poland with her aunt and did indeed have a guide help them uncover the past.
The book takes place during the Nazi takeover of Poland for Jews and Gentiles alike. It tore families apart, businesses dissolved, rations were cut and these characters lived through this hardship without losing hope. The romance that threads through the book is so endearing and powerful. There’s no sap, it felt genuine.
I loved the writing in this book. Rimmer allows the reader to understand each character and the motives for their behavior by showing and not telling. Even Alice, the main protagonist, shows her weaknesses and selfishness at times. Alice’s son is autistic and was drawn with accurate behavioral traits. His melt downs, to the control she felt, and how he affected her marriage were all spot on. I wonder if his obsession with a dreidel was supposed to be a foreshadow of some kind.
The title of the book sums up the story with accuracy and irony. As you read, you’ll see how very true those words mean. Alice and her husband, Edison and his dad and Alina after her stroke; they all can’t say what they want. As with the characters, I’m struggling with things I cannot say so I don’t give away any spoilers.
Kelly Rimmer is a new author for me and while waiting for an ARC of this gem, I picked up an earlier book of hers, Before I Let You Go. This one tackles addiction straight on and definitely packs a punch. I knew I’d love this new book and can’t wait to read what’s next from her.
Quotes I liked:
Our love is bigger than this war – I promise you that”
“In these recent years – I know that Wade loves me, and I know that I love Wade. Sometimes I know that Wade loves me, and I know that I love Wade. Sometimes I kind of hate him , but mostly, I love him. That’s marriage sometimes.”
“I love being a mother, and I love being a wife. I even love being a daughter and a granddaughter. But as I stand here on the mountaintop, I’m not any of those things. I am simply Alice, and for one breathtaking moment, I’m completely present.”
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