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

Kelly Rimmer

Adult

Novel

Fiction

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The Things We Cannot Say Summary and Study Guide

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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

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Character Analysis

The Things We Cannot Say Character Analysis

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Themes

The Things We Cannot Say Themes

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The Things We Cannot Say Literary Devices

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Important Quotes

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The Things We Cannot Say

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