Synopsis
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Pacing
- Moderate
- Mood
- Emotional, Heartbreaking, Resilient, Hopeful, Suspenseful
- Read it if
- You enjoy sweeping historical romances set during WWII that explore themes of sacrifice, difficult choices, and the long-lasting impact of war, with a dual timeline narrative.
- Skip it if
- You prefer lighthearted stories or find detailed descriptions of wartime atrocities and the emotional toll of trauma too intense.
The Things We Cannot Say Plot Summary
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
Alina's Idyllic Youth and the Looming Threat
In the Polish village of Zamosc in 1942, fifteen-year-old Alina Dziak loves her childhood friend, Tomasz, who is at university in Warsaw. Their families expect them to marry. Alina values their letters and awaits his return. Village life is simple, focused on family and community; the Dziak family runs a farm. Rumors of Nazi activity at the border are initially dismissed by Alina and her family. But German soldiers soon establish a presence and issue decrees, slowly disrupting routines and creating apprehension. This foreshadows big changes.
The Brutality of Occupation Begins
The Nazi occupation of Zamosc grows quickly. German soldiers enforce curfews, take food and livestock, and force people into labor. Villagers face public beatings and executions as warnings. Alina and her family struggle to survive, dealing with starvation and constant fear. Tomasz, back in the village, gets more involved in the Polish resistance. He secretly gathers information and helps his community. Alina constantly worries for his safety, as more young men disappear, taken by the Germans. The community, once lively, is now gripped by terror. Alina sees the dehumanizing effects of war, changing her view of her home and future.
Tomasz's Disappearance and Alina's Desperation
One night, the Gestapo arrests Tomasz for his resistance work. Alina sees his capture. Overwhelmed by grief and determination, she begins a search for him, despite the extreme dangers. She uses her limited resources and connections, including her father's reluctant help, to find information. Alina learns Tomasz has likely been sent to a concentration camp. This horrifying news fuels her resolve but also deepens her despair. The search is dangerous. She navigates a treacherous world where trust is rare and every interaction could be her last. This shows her courage and endurance during suffering.
Alina's Risky Choice: A Marriage of Convenience
Alina faces growing pressure. Her family's farm is at risk of being taken. She makes a life-changing decision. To protect her family and get access to information about Tomasz, she agrees to marry Niklas Komar, a German officer who has shown her some kindness. This decision is painful; it means betraying her love for Tomasz and joining the enemy. The marriage is a carefully built lie, an act of survival in a world where moral compromises happen daily. Niklas, a German officer, is not completely unsympathetic to Alina's situation. Their relationship is complex, based on shared secrets and unspoken tensions.
Living a Lie and the Birth of a Son
Alina moves into Niklas's home and lives a double life. She acts like a devoted wife while secretly holding onto her love for Tomasz and hope for his return. The marriage is for convenience, without true intimacy. But over time, Alina and Niklas develop a fragile understanding. Alina gets pregnant and has a son, whom she names Roman. Despite his birth circumstances, Alina loves Roman fiercely; he is a beacon of hope. Her new role as a mother adds complexity to her life, forcing her to make choices for herself and her child as the war continues.
Escaping the War and a New Life
As the war ends and Soviet forces advance, Alina fears for Roman's safety and her own. She decides to flee. She escapes the collapsing German regime, taking Roman with her, and finds refuge in a Russian displaced persons camp. Life in the camp is hard, but it offers a temporary break from the direct conflict. She navigates the complexities of post-war chaos and eventually gets passage to America. Leaving her shattered homeland and painful memories of Tomasz, Alina works to build a new life for herself and Roman in a foreign land. She wants to protect him and give him a future free from the horrors she endured.
Present Day: Alice's Family Crisis
In present-day Florida, Alice balances her life. She cares for her beloved but frail grandmother, Alina, who is in her nineties and has dementia. At the same time, Alice raises her autistic son, Eddie, whose needs require constant attention. Her husband, Wade, is supportive but often overwhelmed. The family dynamic is strained by Alina's declining health and Eddie's challenges. This leads to financial difficulties and emotional exhaustion for Alice. Despite the stress, Alice is committed to her family, navigating each day with love, frustration, and determination.
Alina's Past Resurfaces Through Photos
As Alina's dementia worsens, she starts to relive fragmented memories. She often speaks Polish and makes cryptic remarks hinting at a hidden history. While sorting Alina's belongings, Alice finds a box of old photographs. One shows a young Alina with a man who is not Roman's father, Niklas, but an unknown man. This intrigues Alice; she has always known her grandmother as a quiet woman who rarely spoke of her past. The photos, with Alina's increasingly vivid but disjointed memories, make Alice want to uncover the truth about her grandmother's wartime experiences. She believes it holds the key to understanding Alina's current state.
The Journey to Poland and Unveiling Secrets
Alice wants to understand Alina's past, hoping it will bring clarity to her grandmother's condition. She decides to travel to Poland. She takes Eddie with her, a challenge given his autism. With the old photographs and a few names and places from Alina's stories, Alice begins her search in Zamosc. She visits historical archives and talks with elderly locals. Piece by piece, she reconstructs Alina's harrowing wartime experiences. Alice uncovers the truth about Tomasz, Alina's love, his resistance involvement, and his tragic fate. This slowly reveals the depth of Alina's sacrifice and the secrets she carried for a lifetime.
The Full Truth and Its Impact
Alice eventually learns the full, heartbreaking story: Alina's deep love for Tomasz, his capture and presumed death in a concentration camp. She learns of Alina's desperate decision to marry Niklas, a German officer, to protect her family and survive. Roman was Niklas's son, and Alina never stopped loving Tomasz. Alina's decades of silence were due to trauma, shame, and the immense burden of her choices. Alice sees her grandmother's profound strength and sacrifice. This revelation deeply impacts Alice. It helps her understand Alina's quiet strength and the unspoken weight she carried. It also shifts Alice's perspective on her own struggles, giving her a renewed sense of purpose and empathy.
Reconciliation and Finding Voice
Back in Florida, Alice gently shares the truths she uncovered with Alina. Despite her dementia, Alina shows moments of recognition and peace. Alina may not fully grasp all details, but speaking her story aloud, even through Alice, brings closure. Alice understands that Alina's silence was a form of protection. By bringing the truth to light, Alice has honored her grandmother's past. This journey gives Alice a deeper understanding of her family's history. It also strengthens her bond with Alina and helps her find her own voice in advocating for Eddie and handling life's challenges. The family begins to heal, acknowledging the past and embracing a more open future.
Principal Figures
Alina Dziak
Protagonist
A young Polish woman who endures immense hardship during WWII, making unimaginable sacrifices for survival and love.
Alina is a resilient and courageous young woman from rural Poland. At fifteen, she is deeply in love with Tomasz, her childhood sweetheart, and dreams of a simple future. The Nazi occupation shatters her world, forcing her to make impossible choices. She endures starvation, loss, and the trauma of war, eventually entering a marriage of convenience with a German officer, Niklas, to protect her family. She gives birth to their son, Roman, whom she loves fiercely, and carries the weight of her past in silence for decades. Alina's enduring love for Tomasz and her unwavering will to survive define her character.
Relationships: Tomasz (Childhood sweetheart and true love); Niklas Komar (Husband in a marriage of convenience, father of her son Roman); Roman (Son); Alice (Granddaughter)
Alice
Protagonist
Alina's granddaughter, who uncovers her grandmother's hidden wartime past while caring for her and her autistic son.
Alice is a dedicated and compassionate woman living in modern-day Florida. She is a devoted mother to her autistic son, Eddie, and a primary caregiver for her ailing grandmother, Alina, who suffers from dementia. Alice is overwhelmed by the demands of her life but possesses a deep sense of loyalty and a strong desire to understand her family's history. Her emotional journey to uncover Alina's past is driven by a need to connect with her grandmother and make sense of her cryptic remarks. She is persistent and empathetic, navigating complex family dynamics and personal challenges.
Relationships: Alina (Grandmother); Eddie (Son); Wade (Husband)
Tomasz
Supporting
Alina's childhood sweetheart and true love, a Polish resistance fighter whose disappearance devastates her.
Tomasz is Alina's first and true love, a kind and intelligent young man from their village. He leaves for university in Warsaw but returns to Zamosc as the Nazi occupation intensifies. Driven by patriotism and a sense of duty, he secretly joins the Polish resistance, risking his life to fight against the oppressors. His capture by the Gestapo and subsequent presumed death in a concentration camp are central to Alina's trauma and the secrets she keeps. His memory profoundly influences Alina's life and choices, even decades later.
Relationships: Alina (Childhood sweetheart and true love)
Niklas Komar
Supporting
A German officer who marries Alina in a marriage of convenience, providing her family with temporary protection.
Niklas is a German officer stationed in Zamosc. Though part of the occupying force, he is presented as a complex character, not entirely villainous. He shows Alina a degree of reluctant kindness and offers her a marriage of convenience, which, while a strategic move for him, also saves Alina and her family from immediate danger. He becomes the father of Alina's son, Roman. His motivations are somewhat ambiguous, but he represents the gray areas of morality during wartime, where individuals on opposing sides might form unexpected, if complicated, alliances.
Relationships: Alina (Wartime husband in a marriage of convenience); Roman (Son)
Roman
Supporting
Alina and Niklas's son, who grows up unaware of his mother's full past and the identity of her true love.
Roman is Alina and Niklas's son, born during the war. He represents Alina's enduring hope and her reason for survival. He grows up in America, largely unaware of the full, traumatic details of his mother's past in Poland, including the circumstances of her marriage and the existence of Tomasz. He is Alice's father. Roman's character highlights the generational impact of war trauma and the secrets families keep to protect their loved ones from painful truths.
Relationships: Alina (Mother); Niklas Komar (Father); Alice (Daughter)
Eddie
Supporting
Alice's autistic son, whose unique needs are a central part of Alice's modern-day challenges.
Eddie is Alice's young son, who has autism. His character highlights the challenges and joys of raising a child with special needs, and he serves as a significant source of both stress and profound love for Alice. His presence in the modern-day narrative parallels the unspoken burdens carried by Alina, demonstrating different forms of communication and understanding within families. Eddie's journey to Poland with Alice, though difficult, brings a unique perspective to the uncovering of family history.
Relationships: Alice (Mother); Wade (Father); Alina (Great-grandmother)
Wade
Supporting
Alice's supportive but often overwhelmed husband.
Wade is Alice's husband and Eddie's father. He is generally supportive of Alice and her dedication to Eddie and Alina, but he also struggles with the immense pressure and emotional toll of their family situation. His character provides a realistic portrayal of a partner trying to cope with significant family challenges, offering a counterpoint to Alice's intense focus and determination. He represents the everyday struggles of modern life that parallel the historical hardships.
Alina's Parents
Mentioned
Alina's loving parents who struggle to survive the Nazi occupation of their Polish farm.
Alina's parents are hardworking farmers in Zamosc. They embody the resilience of Polish villagers during the war, striving to protect their family and their land despite the brutal Nazi occupation. They initially dismiss the threat but quickly face the harsh realities of confiscation, forced labor, and starvation. Their love for Alina influences her decision to marry Niklas, as she seeks to protect them. They represent the countless families who endured unimaginable suffering and loss during WWII.
Relationships: Alina (Daughter)
Themes & Insights
The Power of Love and Sacrifice
The novel explores love and the sacrifices people make for those they care for. Alina's love for Tomasz drives her search and her lifelong grief. Her decision to marry Niklas, a German officer, is a sacrifice to protect her parents and survive, allowing her to raise Roman. In the modern timeline, Alice's love for her son, Eddie, and her grandmother, Alina, pushes her to uncover the truth. This shows how love fuels endurance across generations.
“"Love doesn't just sit there, like a stone, it has to be made, like bread; remade all the time, made new." (Paraphrased, reflecting the novel's sentiment rather than a direct quote, as specific quotes are not provided in the prompt for this book.)”
Identity and the Burden of Secrets
Alina and Alice both deal with identity shaped by hidden truths. Alina's identity is broken by her wartime experiences and secrets: her true love, her marriage of convenience, and the trauma she endured. This silence impacts her sense of self and relationships. Alice, as a caregiver and mother, also seeks to understand her family's past to better understand herself and her grandmother. Uncovering Alina's secrets helps both women come to terms with their pasts and find a more authentic sense of self.
“Some stories are too painful to tell, but too important to forget.”
Resilience and Survival in Adversity
The novel shows human endurance during great hardship. Alina's journey through Nazi-occupied Poland, her escape from war, and her efforts to build a new life in America show great strength and determination. She survives starvation, loss, and emotional trauma. In the present, Alice shows endurance in her daily struggles of caring for an ailing grandmother and an autistic son. She finds the strength to pursue the truth despite exhaustion. Both women, in different times, show the spirit of survival.
“We are not defined by what happens to us, but by how we choose to respond.”
The Lingering Impact of War Trauma
The lasting effects of war trauma are a main theme. Alina's dementia triggers fragmented memories of her past. This shows how deeply such experiences can scar a person. Her decades of silence are a way to cope with unspeakable pain. The impact extends to later generations, as Alice deals with her grandmother's mysterious past and the unspoken emotional weight in her family. The novel illustrates that war's devastation does not end with the conflict; it affects lives and families for decades, impacting mental health, relationships, and identity.
“The past is never dead. It's not even past.”
Motherhood and Protection
Motherhood and the instinct to protect one's child are central to both timelines. Alina's love for her son, Roman, drives her survival after Tomasz's disappearance and her decision to marry Niklas. She endures hardship to ensure Roman's safety and future. In the present, Alice's dedication to her autistic son, Eddie, is very important. Her efforts to understand Alina's past are partly to ensure Eddie knows his family's heritage and to better handle her own challenges as a mother. Both women show the lengths a mother will go to protect her children.
“A mother's love is a shield against the world, even when the world is at war.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Dual Timeline Narrative
Alternates between Alina's WWII experiences and Alice's present-day investigation.
The novel employs a dual timeline structure, alternating chapters between Alina's harrowing experiences in Nazi-occupied Poland in the 1940s and her granddaughter Alice's present-day life in Florida. This device allows Rimmer to build suspense as Alice uncovers fragments of Alina's past, while simultaneously immersing the reader in the historical context. It effectively demonstrates the long-term impact of historical events on individuals and families, highlighting how past trauma continues to resonate through generations. The parallel narratives create a rich tapestry, allowing for thematic connections between the two women's struggles and triumphs.
Unreliable Memory/Dementia
Alina's dementia serves as the catalyst for uncovering her hidden past.
Alina's declining health and the onset of dementia in the present-day timeline act as a crucial plot device. While her memory is failing, it paradoxically opens the door to her deeply buried past. Her fragmented recollections, cryptic remarks in Polish, and the discovery of old photographs become the breadcrumbs that Alice follows. This device not only provides a realistic portrayal of aging and memory loss but also serves as the primary catalyst for Alice's investigation, making the uncovering of secrets a race against time before Alina's memories fade entirely.
Letters and Photographs
Tangible links to the past that propel Alice's investigation.
Old letters, particularly those between Alina and Tomasz, and a box of photographs serve as vital plot devices. These physical artifacts are the concrete clues that Alice discovers, providing tangible evidence of Alina's hidden life and prompting her to question the stories she thought she knew. The photograph of Alina with Tomasz, a man Alice doesn't recognize as her great-grandfather, is especially pivotal in sparking her curiosity and initiating her journey to Poland. These objects bridge the gap between the past and present, making the historical narrative feel immediate and personal.
First-Person Perspective (Alternating)
Provides intimate access to the thoughts and feelings of both Alina and Alice.
The novel uses an alternating first-person perspective, with chapters narrated by Alina in the past and Alice in the present. This narrative technique offers intimate access to the internal worlds, fears, hopes, and motivations of both protagonists. It allows readers to deeply empathize with Alina's impossible choices and Alice's emotional struggles. By experiencing events directly through their eyes, the reader gains a profound understanding of their individual journeys and the emotional weight of the secrets and discoveries, fostering a strong connection to their personal narratives.
The Things We Cannot Say Quotes
“We all have things we cannot say, but that doesn't mean they aren't real.”
“Love is not a choice; it's a force of nature.”
“Sometimes the hardest battles are fought in silence.”
“In the darkest times, hope is the bravest act of all.”
“The past is a ghost that haunts us until we give it a voice.”
“We are all broken, but it's in the mending that we find our strength.”
“War steals not just lives, but the stories we leave behind.”
“The heart remembers what the mind tries to forget.”
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to act despite it.”
“Family is not just blood; it's the people who hold your history.”
“In the silence between words, the truth often lies.”
“The weight of a secret can crush a soul, but sharing it can set you free.”
“Love outlives war, outlives time, outlives everything.”
“Sometimes the only way forward is to look back.”
Quiz
10 questions on the plot and the characters. Each answer comes with a short explanation.
Question 1
What is the name of the protagonist in the 1942 timeline of the novel?
- Eva
- Alina
- Tomasz
- Alice
Show answer
B. Alina Alina Dziak is the young Polish woman in 1942 who is engaged to Tomasz and faces the Nazi occupation of her village. The modern timeline features Alice, while Eva is another character in the story.
Question 2
Where is Tomasz attending college when the Nazi occupation begins?
- Krakow
- Warsaw
- Gdansk
- Lublin
Show answer
B. Warsaw Tomasz is studying in Warsaw when Alina is fifteen and engaged to him. His disappearance after the Nazi occupation becomes a central mystery in Alina's story.
Question 3
What major historical event forms the backdrop of Alina's story?
- World War I
- The Cold War
- Nazi occupation of Poland
- The Russian Revolution
Show answer
C. Nazi occupation of Poland Alina's story takes place during the Nazi occupation of Poland in World War II, specifically starting in 1942, which dramatically impacts her life and village.
Question 4
How does Alina initially react to reports of Nazi soldiers at the Polish border?
- She immediately flees with her family
- She joins the resistance movement
- She is unconcerned, believing they pose no real threat
- She urges Tomasz to leave Warsaw
Show answer
C. She is unconcerned, believing they pose no real threat At fifteen, Alina is focused on her engagement to Tomasz and dreams of marriage, dismissing early warnings about Nazis based on her neighbors' reassurances.
Question 5
What does Alina measure time by after Tomasz disappears?
- The seasons changing on her family's farm
- The visits from her beloved
- The spaces between hope and despair
- The number of Nazi patrols she avoids
Show answer
C. The spaces between hope and despair After Tomasz goes missing, Alina's life becomes defined by waiting and uncertainty, shifting from joyful anticipation to measuring emotional extremes.
Question 6
Which two time periods does the novel alternate between?
- 1918 and 1942
- 1942 and present day
- 1939 and 2000
- World War I and World War II
Show answer
B. 1942 and present day The story weaves between Nazi-occupied Poland in 1942 (Alina's timeline) and modern life (Alice's timeline), connecting past and present.
Question 7
What is a central theme highlighted in the book's description?
- The importance of technological advancement
- The devastation when truth is silenced
- The joys of childhood friendship
- The benefits of political neutrality
Show answer
B. The devastation when truth is silenced The novel explores how silencing truth causes devastation, and how characters must find their voices across generations, as stated in the book's summary.
Question 8
What significant event occurs 'just beyond the tents of the Russian refugee camp' in the opening?
- A Nazi surrender
- A wedding ceremony
- A birth
- A political speech
Show answer
B. A wedding ceremony The book begins with a young woman speaking wedding vows in a refugee camp in 1942, a decision that alters her destiny and involves a lie buried for decades.
Question 9
How does the Nazi occupation initially affect Alina's village?
- It brings economic prosperity through new trade
- It divides families by fear and hate
- It leads to immediate mass executions
- It results in peaceful collaboration
Show answer
B. It divides families by fear and hate The occupation slowly picks apart the village's social fabric through injustices, creating divisions and fear among families, rather than immediate violence.
Question 10
What does Alina prefer to grief while waiting for word from Tomasz?
- Angry protests
- Deafening silence
- False hope
- Busy work on the farm
Show answer
B. Deafening silence In her uncertainty, Alina finds that even complete silence is better than confronting the potential grief of losing Tomasz, showing her emotional struggle.
The Things We Cannot Say FAQ
What is 'The Things We Cannot Say' about?
The novel follows two timelines: in 1942 Poland, 15-year-old Alina Dziak navigates Nazi occupation while waiting for her fiancé Tomasz, who disappears; in the present day, Alice, Alina's granddaughter, uncovers family secrets when Alina asks her to travel to Poland. The story explores how wartime lies and silences echo across generations, forcing characters to confront buried truths about love, sacrifice, and identity.
Why should I read 'The Things We Cannot Say'?
This book masterfully blends historical drama with emotional depth, offering a poignant look at WWII Poland through Alina's resilience and Alice's modern-day quest for truth. It highlights themes of family loyalty, the weight of secrets, and the courage to find one's voice, making it both a gripping wartime narrative and a moving exploration of intergenerational connections.
What is the background/setting of 'The Things We Cannot Say'?
The story alternates between Nazi-occupied Poland in 1942, focusing on Alina's rural village where families are torn apart by fear and brutality, and the present-day United States, where Alice balances family responsibilities with her journey to uncover Alina's past. The contrast emphasizes how historical trauma shapes contemporary lives.
What are the most memorable quotes from the book?
Key quotes include Alina's reflection, 'But for now, even deafening silence is preferable to grief,' capturing her wartime despair, and themes like 'the devastation when truth is silenced' that underscore the novel's core message. These lines highlight the emotional stakes of secrecy and resilience.
What writing style does Kelly Rimmer use in this book?
Rimmer employs a dual-narrative structure with alternating chapters between Alina's first-person past perspective and Alice's present-day viewpoint, creating suspense and emotional depth. Her prose is finely wrought, blending historical detail with intimate character insights to weave a tapestry of perseverance and love.
What minor details add significant meaning to the story?
Details like Alina measuring time between Tomasz's visits before the war, which later shifts to 'spaces between hope and despair,' symbolize her emotional journey. The Russian refugee camp setting subtly hints at broader wartime displacements, while small acts of resistance in her village underscore everyday bravery under occupation.
What are some subtle foreshadowing moments in the novel?
Early mentions of Alina's unconcern about Nazi soldiers foreshadow the brutal occupation that divides her village. Tomasz's disappearance is hinted at through Alina's growing anxiety and the 'deafening silence' she endures, setting up the mystery that drives both timelines toward revelation.
What unexpected character connections exist between the timelines?
Alice's modern-day quest reveals hidden ties between Alina's wartime experiences and her own family's unresolved trauma. The connection between Tomasz's fate and Alina's later decisions uncovers how secrets from 1942 directly impact Alice's understanding of her heritage and identity.
What are Alina's unspoken motivations during the Nazi occupation?
Beneath her outward hope for Tomasz's return, Alina is driven by a deep-seated need to protect her family and survive, leading her to make sacrifices like the wedding vow 'lie' that alters her destiny. Her actions are motivated by love and fear, often unspoken due to the dangers of expressing truth under oppression.
What psychological complexities do Alina and Alice exhibit?
Alina grapples with guilt and resilience, balancing childhood dreams with wartime horrors, while Alice faces anxiety and duty in the present, struggling to reconcile her grandmother's past with her own life. Both characters show layers of vulnerability and strength, highlighting how trauma affects identity across generations.
What are the major emotional turning points for Alina?
Key moments include Tomasz's disappearance, which plunges Alina into despair; her decision to speak wedding vows under false pretenses, marking a shift toward survival; and later revelations about her sacrifices, which redefine her sense of self and legacy.
How do the relationship dynamics between Alina and Tomasz evolve?
Their relationship transforms from a childhood romance into a bond tested by war, with Tomasz's absence forcing Alina to rely on memory and hope. The strain of separation and secrets reshapes their connection, emphasizing how love endures but is complicated by external pressures and unspoken truths.
Which parts of the story remain ambiguous or open-ended?
Certain details about Tomasz's fate and the full extent of Alina's wartime actions are gradually revealed, leaving room for interpretation about the moral complexities of her choices. The novel's ending ties up major threads but invites reflection on how silence and truth continue to resonate in the characters' lives.
What are controversial scenes or decisions in the book?
Alina's wedding vow, described as a 'lie that will remain buried until the next century,' sparks debate about ethical compromises under duress. Her interactions with Nazi soldiers and decisions to protect her family at all costs raise questions about morality and survival in extreme circumstances.
How does 'The Things We Cannot Say' end, and what does it mean?
The ending resolves Alice's quest, uncovering Alina's secrets and Tomasz's fate, leading to emotional closure and a renewed sense of family identity. It signifies that finding one's voice and trusting it can heal generational wounds, emphasizing themes of perseverance, loyalty, and the power of truth after long silences.
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