The Things We Cannot Say Review

The Things We Cannot Say, narrated in its audiobook form, is a deeply moving and emotionally stirring novel by Kelly Rimmer. The story alternates between two timelines—one set during World War II in Nazi-occupied Poland and the other in present-day Florida. Rimmer weaves together the narratives of two women connected by family, history, and the unspoken stories that transcend generations.

The dual narratives bring to life the struggles and endurance of individuals during two very different but equally harrowing periods of history. On one side, we have Alina Dziak, a young Polish girl whose life is torn apart by the Nazi invasion during World War II. On the other, we have Alice, a present-day woman who is grappling with the challenges of raising her autistic son, Eddie, while also caring for her ailing grandmother, Babcia. As Alice’s grandmother’s health deteriorates, she becomes fixated on a long-kept secret—a story buried in the past—that she needs Alice to uncover.

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Plot Overview:

The story opens with Alice, a modern-day mother, struggling with the pressures of family life. Alice’s life has been consumed by the demands of her son Eddie’s autism. The emotional strain on Alice is compounded by her grandmother Babcia’s failing health. Babcia, who grew up in Poland, has always been a pillar of strength in Alice’s life. As she nears the end of her life, Babcia suddenly becomes obsessed with a mysterious unfinished story from her past, urging Alice to travel to Poland and uncover the truth. Despite the overwhelming responsibilities in her own life, Alice is compelled to honor her grandmother's wish, feeling a deep sense of duty to fulfill Babcia’s last request.

In the parallel storyline, we are taken back to 1939 in Poland, where Alina Dziak is living a seemingly idyllic life in her small village. She is engaged to Tomasz, the love of her life, and they dream of a happy future together. But the outbreak of war shatters their dreams. Poland is invaded by the Nazis, and Tomasz, who is a medical student, is forced to flee for his safety. Alina, like so many others, is left behind to deal with the horrors of Nazi occupation, clinging to the hope that Tomasz will one day return.

As the war progresses, Alina’s life becomes increasingly dangerous. She witnesses the atrocities of war, her family is torn apart, and she is forced to make life-and-death decisions to survive. All the while, she holds onto the memory of Tomasz and their promise to each other, determined that they will be reunited one day.

The two timelines gradually converge as Alice begins to unravel the truth about her grandmother’s past. Through her investigation in Poland, Alice discovers the heartbreaking sacrifices that Alina made during the war and the devastating choices she faced in order to protect those she loved. The secrets of Babcia’s past are finally revealed, and Alice comes to understand the deep connection between her grandmother’s experiences and her own struggles in the present.

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Themes and Emotional Depth:

The Things We Cannot Say is a story about love, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit. At its core, it explores the things that are left unsaid in relationships—the unspoken emotions, traumas, and histories that shape who we are. Rimmer masterfully weaves together the personal and the historical, showing how the echoes of the past resonate in the present.

One of the strongest themes in the book is the idea of survival—both in the literal sense, as Alina fights to stay alive during the war, and in the emotional sense, as Alice navigates the daily challenges of caring for her son. The story also delves into the impact of trauma across generations, as Babcia’s experiences during the war cast a long shadow over her family, even though they were never openly discussed. This theme of intergenerational trauma is particularly poignant, as it highlights how the past can influence the present in ways that are often unseen or unacknowledged.

The novel also tackles the theme of motherhood in a deeply nuanced way. Both Alice and Alina are defined by their roles as mothers, but their experiences are vastly different. Alina’s love for her family drives her to make unimaginable sacrifices, while Alice’s love for her son motivates her to push through the exhaustion and isolation she feels as a parent of a special-needs child. Through these two women, Rimmer explores the complexities of motherhood, showing that it is both a source of great strength and deep vulnerability.

Narration and Audiobook Experience:

The audiobook is narrated by two voices: one for Alice and one for Alina. This dual narration effectively brings the two timelines to life, allowing the listener to fully immerse themselves in both the past and the present. The narrators do an excellent job of capturing the emotional weight of the story, particularly in the more intense scenes where the characters are grappling with loss, fear, and heartbreak.

The use of different narrators for the two timelines also helps to distinguish between the two narratives, making it easy for the listener to follow along as the story shifts back and forth between Alice and Alina’s perspectives. The narration is well-paced, with moments of quiet reflection balanced by moments of high tension, mirroring the emotional highs and lows of the story.

Listeners have praised the audiobook for its ability to evoke strong emotions, with many describing it as a "tear-jerker" that left them feeling deeply moved. The narrators’ performances are often cited as a highlight, adding an extra layer of depth to the already powerful story.

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Character Development:

The characters in The Things We Cannot Say are richly developed, with each one possessing a unique voice and perspective. Alice and Alina, in particular, are complex and multi-dimensional, making them easy to empathize with, despite the vastly different circumstances they face.

Alina’s character arc is one of growth and resilience. At the beginning of the story, she is a young woman in love, full of hope for the future. But as the war progresses, she is forced to confront the harsh realities of life under Nazi occupation. Through her experiences, Alina becomes stronger and more determined, driven by her love for Tomasz and her desire to protect her family. Her journey is one of survival, but it is also one of self-discovery, as she learns the depths of her own strength and courage.

Alice, on the other hand, is struggling with feelings of inadequacy and guilt as a mother. She loves her son deeply, but the demands of caring for a child with autism often leave her feeling overwhelmed and isolated. Throughout the novel, Alice grapples with her own limitations and fears, but her journey to uncover Babcia’s past ultimately helps her to find a sense of peace and acceptance.

Babcia, though not a central character in the same way that Alice and Alina are, is the thread that ties the two timelines together. Her character is shrouded in mystery for much of the novel, but as Alice uncovers the truth about her grandmother’s past, we come to understand the full extent of Babcia’s sacrifices and the impact that her experiences during the war had on her life.

Historical Context:

The historical backdrop of The Things We Cannot Say is meticulously researched, and Rimmer does an excellent job of capturing the horrors of Nazi-occupied Poland. The novel doesn’t shy away from the brutality of the war, but it also highlights the resilience and courage of those who lived through it.

The depiction of life in Poland during the war is harrowing, with scenes of violence, starvation, and fear vividly portrayed. Rimmer’s attention to detail helps to immerse the reader in this period, making it easy to understand the fear and desperation that Alina and her family felt as they struggled to survive.

At the same time, the novel also explores the emotional and psychological toll of the war, showing how the trauma of those experiences can linger long after the conflict has ended. This theme is particularly relevant in the present-day storyline, as Alice grapples with the weight of her grandmother’s unspoken history and the ways in which it has shaped her own life.

Conclusion:

The Things We Cannot Say is a powerful and poignant novel that explores the enduring impact of war, trauma, and the things that go unspoken between generations. Kelly Rimmer’s skillful storytelling and deep emotional resonance make this a compelling read, and the audiobook format only enhances the experience with its dual narration and immersive performances.

This is a story about love and loss, about the sacrifices we make for the people we love, and about the strength that can be found in even the darkest of times. Fans of historical fiction and emotional, character-driven stories will find much to admire in The Things We Cannot Say, and the audiobook is a particularly strong choice for those looking for a deeply engaging listening experience.

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