The Things We Cannot Say

Kelly Rimmer’s The Things We Cannot Say is a gripping WWII novel that has sold over a million copies and captured the hearts of readers worldwide. It’s perfect for fans of All the Light We Cannot See and The Tattooist of Auschwitz. The story follows Alina Dziak, a young Polish girl engaged to her best friend, Tomasz, as the Nazi occupation slowly tears apart her village and her life. At just fifteen, Alina’s dreams of marriage and peace are shattered by fear, hate, and the brutal realities of war. When Tomasz disappears, Alina is left waiting in silence, caught between hope and despair.

What makes this novel truly compelling is how it weaves together two timelines: Alina’s harrowing experiences in 1942 Poland and the modern-day journey of Alice, Alina’s granddaughter, who is trying to uncover the family secrets her grandmother never spoke of. Alice’s story is deeply moving, as she balances caring for her autistic son with the urgent task of understanding her grandmother’s past. Through Alice’s quest, readers are reminded how silence can bury painful truths for decades—and how finding one’s voice can be a lifelong struggle.

Rimmer’s writing is emotional and finely crafted, blending perseverance, loyalty, love, and honor into a narrative that resonates long after the last page. This is not just a historical novel; it’s a powerful exploration of family, memory, and the courage it takes to face the past. If you love The Nightingale or Lilac Girls, you’ll find The Things We Cannot Say impossible to put down (1378).