Book Summary Contents
- 1 Introduction: The Power of Silence and Secrets in The Things We Cannot Say
- 2 The Things We Cannot Say Summary & Characters & Themes
- 3 About the Author: Kelly Rimmer
- 4 FAQ Section
- 5 Conclusion: Why This Book Stays With You ?
- 6 Get Your Copy
- 7 Sources & References
Introduction: The Power of Silence and Secrets in The Things We Cannot Say
What happens when the past is too painful to speak?
Have you ever wondered what secrets your family might be hiding?
The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer is a powerful dual-timeline novel that explores the weight of unspoken truths across generations.
In Nazi-occupied Poland, Alina Dziak fights for survival while clinging to her love for Tomasz Slaski. Decades later, her granddaughter Alice Michaels races against time to unravel a cryptic plea from her dying grandmother: “Find Tomasz.”
This The Things We Cannot Say summary will guide you through the emotional journey of two women connected by history, sacrifice, and the desperate need to be heard.
TL;DR: Quick Takeaways
Genre: Historical Fiction (Dual Timeline)
Themes: Love, war, sacrifice, family secrets, resilience
Tone: Heartbreaking yet hopeful
Perfect for fans of: The Nightingale, All the Light We Cannot See
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – A must-read for historical fiction lovers
Why You’ll Love It?
✔️ Gripping dual-timeline narrative
✔️ Unforgettable characters
✔️ Emotional depth & historical authenticity
✔️ A twist that changes everything
As you dive into this The Things We Cannot Say Summary, you’ll uncover the untold stories of survival, love, and identity through the lives of Alina Dziak and her granddaughter, Alice Michaels.
Related to Love and War:
- Broken Country Summary: A Tale of Love, Loss, and Mystery
- Only the Beautiful Summary: Susan Meissner’s Haunting WWII Tale
- All the Light We Cannot See Summary: A Poignant WWII Tale
Reader Reviews: Standout Quotes
“A beautifully written and emotional story about love, family, and the impact of secrets. I couldn’t put it down.”
“A gripping historical fiction novel that brings the past alive while exploring the importance of understanding our history.”
“The intertwining stories of Alina and Alice were so powerful. This book touched my heart in ways I didn’t expect.”
“Rimmer’s detailed research and storytelling create a deeply moving experience. The themes of sacrifice and love are timeless.”
“I loved how the book didn’t just focus on the past but also on how the truths of the past affect the present.”
Questions The Things We Cannot Say Answers
What motivates Alina to adopt a new identity during World War II?
How does Alice’s family dynamic evolve throughout the novel?
What role does Tomasz’s sacrifice play in the overall theme of heroism?
Why does Alina keep her past a secret from her family for decades?
How does the novel portray the lingering effects of trauma across generations?
What is the significance of the “Righteous Among the Nations” medal?
How does Alice’s journey to Poland impact her relationship with her husband, Wade?
How does the theme of love transcend time in this novel?
What does the novel reveal about the impact of war on both the survivors and their descendants?
How does Alice’s understanding of her own identity change throughout her journey?
The Things We Cannot Say Summary & Characters & Themes
Plot Summary of The Things We Cannot Say
1942: Alina’s Fight for Survival
Fifteen-year-old Alina Dziak dreams of marrying her childhood sweetheart, Tomasz Slaski, but World War II shatters her peaceful life in Poland. As Nazi forces tighten their grip, Tomasz disappears, leaving Alina to navigate hunger, loss, and impossible choices.
Present Day: Alice’s Race Against Time
Alice Michaels, a devoted mother struggling with her autistic son’s needs, is stunned when her grandmother (Babcia) suffers a stroke and desperately types on her iPad: “Find Tomasz.” With only an old photograph as a clue, Alice travels to Poland, uncovering a past more painful—and heroic—than she ever imagined.
Spoiler Section: The Full Story (Skip if you want to avoid spoilers!)
Alina’s Story: Love and Sacrifice in War-Torn Poland
Alina’s village is torn apart by Nazi occupation.
Tomasz, forced into the Wehrmacht, deserts to help Jewish refugees, including Saul Weiss and his family.
Alina joins the resistance, hiding refugees in her home.
In a heart-wrenching sacrifice, Tomasz turns himself in to the Nazis so Alina and Saul can escape.
Alina and Saul assume new identities—Hanna and Tomasz Slaski—and flee to America.
Alice’s Discovery: The Truth Behind Babcia’s Past
Alice travels to Poland, where she learns:
Her “grandfather” (Pa) was actually Saul Weiss, a Jewish doctor Tomasz saved.
Tomasz died a hero, helping Jews escape the Holocaust.
Babcia’s final wish? To be buried beside the man she truly loved—Tomasz.
The Things We Cannot Say Summary by Chapter (Detailes Breakdown)
Chapter 1 (Alice): Alice struggles to manage her nonverbal autistic son, Eddie, in a grocery store. She is also worried about her grandmother, Babcia, who has recently had a stroke and is hospitalized. A stranger helps calm Eddie, highlighting Alice’s deep concern for her family.
Chapter 2 (Alina): Alina Dziak, a 15-year-old Polish girl, is engaged to Tomasz Slaski, a college student in Warsaw. Unaware of the impending Nazi threat, Alina dreams of a life with Tomasz, but the war disrupts everything.
Chapter 3 (Alice): Alice visits Babcia in the hospital, where Babcia uses an AAC app to repeatedly ask for “Tomasz.” This prompts Alice to promise to find Tomasz, although she doesn’t understand the request at first.
Chapter 4 (Alina): Nazi forces invade Alina’s village, and bombings force her family into hiding. After witnessing Tomasz’s father’s execution, Alina vows to protect Tomasz’s sister, Emilia, while hoping for Tomasz’s safe return.
Chapter 5 (Alina): As the war escalates, Alina’s brothers volunteer for forced labor. Alina continues to endure Nazi brutality and fears for Tomasz’s life, while the occupation intensifies, especially targeting Jewish communities.
Chapter 6 (Alice): Alice’s mother, Julita, continues searching for a box of mementos, which Alice eventually finds under Babcia’s bed. Meanwhile, Alice struggles with her family dynamics and Eddie’s daily needs.
Chapter 7 (Alice): Babcia opens a memento box containing a photograph of a man named “Henry Adamcwiz,” leading Alice to promise to find Tomasz in Poland. Babcia’s cryptic messages raise more questions about her past.
Chapter 8 (Alina): Alina continues working on the farm, grappling with Tomasz’s absence and the increasing dangers of the Nazi occupation. She helps Emilia cope with the trauma of war.
Chapter 9 (Alina): Alina learns that her mother has secretly been hoarding food to survive, and she receives devastating news about the deaths of her brothers. She resolves to stop asking about Tomasz to avoid further heartbreak.
Chapter 10 (Alice): Alice struggles with a heated argument between her daughter, Callie, and her husband, Wade. Meanwhile, she discovers a letter Babcia wrote asking her to uncover family secrets, including those about Tomasz.
Chapter 11 (Alina): Alina secretly meets Tomasz in the woods. He explains his desertion from the Wehrmacht and his involvement in helping Jewish families escape. Alina commits to helping Tomasz in his resistance work.
Chapter 12 (Alice): Alice reflects on her promise to Babcia and her ongoing frustrations with her family. Babcia insists Alice visit Poland, leading Alice to make plans to travel.
Chapter 13 (Alina): Tomasz and Alina continue their secret meetings, and Tomasz reveals more about his involvement in the Warsaw Ghetto. Alina embraces the mission to help Tomasz in his dangerous work.
Chapter 14 (Alice): Alice discovers her mother’s hidden sentimentality, including the fact that Babcia wanted to name her “Alina.” Tensions rise as Alice prepares to leave for Poland, with her mother voicing concerns.
Chapter 15 (Alina): Tomasz and Alina share dreams of a future beyond the war. Alina, now deeply involved in helping Tomasz’s cause, grows stronger in her resistance efforts.
Chapter 16 (Alina): Alina and Tomasz hide in a cellar, receiving assistance from Alina’s mother, who provides food and shelter for Jewish families in hiding. Tomasz is at great risk, but Alina remains steadfast.
Chapter 17 (Alina): Alina convinces Tomasz to take refuge in the cellar, overcoming his reluctance through both determination and humor.
Chapter 18 (Alice): Alice struggles with Babcia’s request to travel to Poland, feeling torn by family responsibilities. However, she impulsively books a flight, promising to fulfill Babcia’s wish.
Chapter 19 (Alice): Alice discusses her decision to go to Poland with Wade. They reconcile, with Wade promising to care for Eddie and Callie in her absence.
Chapter 20 (Alina): Tomasz arrives at Alina’s home, weak from starvation. Alina provides him with food, and they discuss their survival plans amid the escalating war.
Chapter 21 (Alice): Alice informs her family about her trip to Poland. Callie initially resists, but later supports Alice’s decision. Julita expresses anger, but Babcia scolds her through the AAC app.
Chapter 22 (Alina): Nazi soldiers arrive at Alina’s home, and her parents are taken away. Tomasz and Alina hide in the cellar as Alina’s world shatters.
Chapter 23 (Alina): Alina struggles with panic and grief after learning her parents have been taken to Auschwitz. Tomasz insists they must escape Poland to survive.
Chapter 24 (Alice): Alice prepares for her trip, conflicted about leaving her family behind. At the airport, Wade reassures her, and Alice departs for Poland, determined to uncover the truth.
Chapter 25 (Alice): Alice arrives in Krakow, where she is struck by the city’s modernity and beauty. She begins to feel the weight of her mission and fears leaving her family behind.
Chapter 26 (Alina): Tomasz introduces Alina to Saul and Eva, who are hiding nearby. Alina is moved by their suffering and resolves to aid their escape, despite the grave risks.
Chapter 27 (Alina): Tomasz reveals plans for the escape, including smuggling film out of Poland. He confides in Alina about his hope for a future with her in America, and they dream of a new life together.
Chapter 28 (Alice): Alice meets Zofia, her Polish guide, and learns that Babcia had adopted a new identity after the war. Zofia decodes Babcia’s notes, which indicate a deep connection to Tomasz.
Chapter 29 (Alina): Alina prepares for the dangerous escape, with Tomasz applying a plaster cast to hide film. Alina fears for her life but is determined to follow through with the escape plan.
Chapter 30 (Alice): Zofia reveals that Babcia is actually Alina Dziak, and Alice is shocked by the revelation. Alice also learns about Babcia’s hidden identity and her family’s wartime secrets.
Chapter 31 (Alina): Alina and Saul prepare for the escape. Tomasz sacrifices himself to ensure their safe passage, and Alina promises to protect Saul, leaving behind everything she knew.
Chapter 32 (Alice): Alice meets Emilia, Tomasz’s sister, and learns that Tomasz died in 1942. She uncovers the truth that her grandfather, Pa, may have assumed Tomasz’s identity after the war.
Chapter 33 (Alina): Alina and Saul escape to Soviet territory, but their journey is perilous. They eventually reach a refugee camp, where Alina prepares for their next steps toward freedom.
Chapter 34 (Alice): Alice spends her remaining time in Poland reflecting on her trip. She realizes that the journey is about more than finding answers—it’s about personal growth.
Chapter 35 (Alina): Alina and Saul endure a difficult journey to safety. They finally reach a camp where Saul begins his work under the false identity of Tomasz, while Alina finds purpose in helping others.
Chapter 36 (Alice): Alice struggles with her decision to stay in Poland but eventually embraces the experience, leading to a deeper understanding of herself. She receives urgent news about her family and prepares for the next steps.
Chapter 37 (Alina): Alina and Saul prepare to meet British officers who will help them escape. Alina clings to Tomasz’s memory, knowing that his sacrifice has led her to this moment of hope.
Chapter 38 (Alice): Alice meets Emilia and learns the truth about Tomasz’s sacrifice. She reconciles with her mother and discovers a newfound understanding of her family’s past.
Chapter 39 (Alina): Alina and Saul make their way to the US embassy, and Alina is given new identity papers. Saul agrees to live under Tomasz’s name for safety, and they begin their journey to America.
Chapter 40 (Alice): Alice returns home after Babcia’s death. She fulfills Babcia’s final wish by spreading her ashes at Tomasz’s grave. Alice and her family reconcile, finding peace and understanding in their shared journey.
Main Characters and Their Roles
| Character | Role |
|---|---|
| Alina Dziak / Hanna Slaski | A brave young Polish woman who survives the horrors of Nazi occupation and later adopts a new identity to protect her past. She is Alice’s grandmother (Babcia). |
| Tomasz Slaski | Alina’s fiancé and a former Wehrmacht soldier who deserts the Nazis to aid Jewish families during World War II. His sacrifice and love for Alina form a core theme of the story. |
| Saul Weiss / Pa | Alice’s grandfather, originally a Jewish doctor whom Tomasz helps escape Nazi oppression. He adopts Tomasz’s identity after the war, unknowingly becoming part of Alice’s family history. |
| Alice Michaels | The protagonist in the modern timeline, a mother of two, who embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about her grandmother’s past. |
| Julita Slaski-Davis | Alice’s mother, who struggles with the secrets her parents have kept. Her journey mirrors Alice’s as she confronts the past and its impact on their family. |
| Wade Michaels | Alice’s husband, who grapples with the emotional distance in their relationship. His growth throughout the book highlights themes of personal growth and understanding. |
| Zofia | Alice’s guide in Poland, who helps uncover Alina’s past and provides crucial insights into the history of the Dziak and Slaski families. |
| Emilia Slaski | Tomasz’s younger sister, who believes Tomasz died in 1942, but later plays a significant role in unveiling the truth about Tomasz’s life and sacrifice. |
| Lia Truchen | Emilia’s granddaughter, who initially denies the truth about Tomasz’s survival but eventually helps Alice uncover the full story. |
The Things We Cannot Say Themes & Analysis
| Theme | Analysis |
|---|---|
| The Enduring Impact of War and Trauma | The novel illustrates how the trauma of war and Nazi occupation affects both the survivors and future generations. Alina’s sacrifices and the secrets she kept carry a heavy emotional burden. |
| The Power of Secrets and Silence | Alina’s silence about her past and the family’s refusal to speak of it creates a chasm of misunderstanding. The novel highlights how suppressed truths can shape relationships. |
| Sacrifice and Heroism | Tomasz’s decision to sacrifice his life to save others is a central act of heroism in the story. Alina’s courage to protect Tomasz’s memory and the sacrifices made for survival are pivotal. |
| Love and Loyalty | The enduring love between Alina and Tomasz transcends time, as Alice’s journey to Poland demonstrates the deep bonds of loyalty and love across generations. |
| Identity and Self-Discovery | Alice’s journey is not only about uncovering her family’s past but also about discovering her own strength and identity, leading to reconciliation with her own life. |
About the Author: Kelly Rimmer
Kelly Rimmer is a USA Today bestselling author known for her emotional and poignant storytelling. With several bestsellers under her belt, including Before I Let You Go and The Secret Daughter, Rimmer writes deeply personal and evocative novels.
Her inspiration for The Things We Cannot Say came from her own family history, particularly her Polish grandparents’ experiences during and after World War II.
Rimmer’s storytelling is grounded in her extensive research and her ability to weave complex historical and emotional narratives. Her writing explores themes of family, love, sacrifice, and the profound effects of war. In addition to her novels, Rimmer has a deep commitment to representing diverse experiences in her books, which is evident in her portrayal of autism and the Holocaust in The Things We Cannot Say. She currently resides in rural Australia with her family, continuing to create stories that resonate with readers worldwide.
FAQ Section
1. Is The Things We Cannot Say a true story?
While The Things We Cannot Say is not based on a true story, it draws heavily from Kelly Rimmer’s own family history and her research into Polish experiences during World War II.
2. What are the main themes of The Things We Cannot Say?
The main themes include the enduring impact of war and trauma, the power of silence and secrets, sacrifice, love, and the journey of self-discovery.
3. Who is the protagonist of The Things We Cannot Say?
The protagonists are Alina Dziak, a young Polish woman during World War II, and her granddaughter, Alice Michaels, who uncovers the truth about Alina’s past.
Conclusion: Why This Book Stays With You ?
The Things We Cannot Say is a deeply moving novel that weaves together history, love, and the exploration of family secrets. Kelly Rimmer creates a story that resonates with readers on an emotional level, encouraging reflection on the profound effects of war, trauma, and silence across generations.
The novel’s exploration of sacrifice, loyalty, and the search for truth makes it a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction with a deep emotional core.
If you’ve enjoyed stories about resilience and uncovering hidden truths, this book is for you.
Start your journey through The Things We Cannot Say today and discover the unforgettable story of Alina and Alice.
Ready to dive in? Now, grab the tissues and start reading!
Get Your Copy
Sources & References
- Amazon’s book page
- Goodreaders’s book page
- Author’s image source: kellyrimmer.com
- Book Cover: Amazon.com
- Quotes sources: Goodreads
