The Things We Cannot Say: A WWII Historical Fiction Novel – A NYT Bestseller Romance Drama of Polish Courage

I purchased this book for my wife, and she thoroughly enjoyed it. She found the story engaging and emotionally powerful, with well-developed characters and an interesting WWII backdrop. The blend of historical fiction and personal drama kept her turning the pages. A wonderful choice for anyone who enjoys historical novels.

This is a wonderful and complex love story that takes place during the most horrific moments of WWII. It’s a generational story of family, tragedy, sacrifice, love, trust and loyalty. The author shows the depth of characters rarely seen today.

The story begins in 1942, Alina Driak, loves her best friend Thomasz, and they plan to marry.. However, war comes in between that happening so fast. He leaves with the intent of going to college in Warsaw. BUT national soldiers take over and bring, fear, hate, and despair. Alina lives on a farm and the soldiers come by to monitor what is going on. There is a second story line of the present running along the war story. The lead is Alice, a stay at home mom. She has two children, a gifted girl, and a difficult autism son, Eddie. The dad, Wade, tends to favor the girl. An entire section goes on about their relationship. I think in my opinion it was distracting and not necessary. Alice's Grandma, Babcia, had a massive stroke and can not communicate except on a device. She continually, shows Alice, Babcia fire Tomasz. She wants Alice to go to Poland and find him. She does and it is an interesting part of the story. Alina, the war part of the story is somewhat sheltered because of her parents. She notices smoke in the distance and no one tells her about the holocaust and the news. She becomes aware of the persecution of the jews. The story has heartbreaking parts, uplifting parts, horrifying and cruel parts. The only part I had to stop was to keep track of the ton of characters and who relates to who. But, if you love reading war stories, while not as factually written as other books. It has what it was like for the families and people to try and live thru the war in Poland. As well as the ones who don't make it. I recommend reading the book!

This was such a great read. At times heartwarming and others it was gut wrenching. The two storylines were perfection. I’m so glad I read this.

what a beautifully written story. Inspirational. Reflective. If you’re wondering if it’s worth reading. The answer is yes. Yes. Yes.

This book will hold your attention. A true story of love, survival and bravery. A story that makes you understand survival during the holocaust and what life was like and how love can truly be your reason for living.

So sad and happy at the same time. The strength of people to survive in the worst circumstances and the love of family!

Loved the story about Alina and Tomasz. The family life of Alice I could have done without. She was really annoying. I felt as if her story with her family and the constant “sorry” between her and Wade were annoying as well. Felt as if her family dynamic was just a filler for the story. I literally skimmed through her chapters, until near the end when the truth came out. The storyline of Alina and her family was beautifully told and kept me engaged. It was a bittersweet story.

The multi layered narrative is a real page turner. I learnt historical information that I was not aware of - it was a true eye opener. The difficulties encountered by Alice as a mother, were things I could identify with. I am a huge fan of Kristen Hannah and Ken Follet - Kelly Rimmer is now officially one of my favourite authors too !!

After reading this book, one cannot help but compare the terrible invasion of Poland in 1939 with the senseless invasion taking place in Ukraine today. Perhaps that is why Poland is so ready to assist the refugees pouring into its country today, because the memory of what happened so long ago is still in everyone's mind. Why don't we learn from our past mistakes? Alina and Tomasz are childhood sweethearts. The night before he leaves for university in Warsaw, he proposes to her. But when her village of Trzebinia falls into Nazi hands, Alina doesn't know whether Tomasz is dead or alive. The story is told in two timelines, both equally compelling. It is 2019 when Alice's Polish grandmother suffers a stroke and has little time to live. Unable to speak, she desperately conveys the urge to seek out Tomasz in Poland. But Tomasz was Alice's grandfather, who died last year. Is Grandma suffering from a memory lapse or is she hiding a bigger secret? I absolutely loved this book. The characters were multi-layered and so imperfect that they seemed real. We follow Alice, who struggles with a young son with Asperger's Syndrome, a prodigy daughter and a work-addicted husband as she travels to Poland and begins to uncover a heartbreaking story that will touch her family in more ways than one. I braced myself for the ugly cry I knew was coming and I wasn't wrong. It made me feel so many emotions. 😢 The writing style was exquisite and I loved how each chapter slowly brought us closer to the truth as I hoped Grandma 𝐵𝑎𝑏𝑐𝑖𝑎 would hang on until Alice could give her the answer she had been waiting for. This is a poignant story of loss, sacrifice, unconditional love and family bonds. Can't recommend it enough.

I think I have read the book in less than a week. I couldnt stop reading. Alina and Alice family had a hard Time, but love is above all.

Written in a way that English 2nd language young adolescents can read it.

Read it in four days. I went through a valley full of emotions. My mother was born in Breslau in 1939. It couldn't be her story, and yet it was her story and mine. Polish history. Jewish history. German history. The title says what's going on inside me. The unspeakable wants to come to light, and yet no words can be found. Instead, unspeakable pain. Guilt. After all these years. Hope. Humanity. This story is one of many, and at the same time, it is the story. I wish I could put this story into the hearts of everyone. We could use this salvation.