The Things We Cannot Say: Storyline and Book Review

The year is 1942. Fifteen-year-old Alina lives a quiet life with her parents and two devoted brothers in the small Polish town of Trzebinia. She is engaged to her childhood friend, Thomas, who has now become the love of her life. While Thomas moves to Warsaw to complete his college education, Alina stays behind on the family farm, yearning for his presence. Her dreams of a happy future with him give her strength as the world around them begins to change.

As World War II escalates and Nazi forces close in on Poland, fear and uncertainty seep into their once peaceful lives. Persecutions intensify, and chaos descends swiftly. Alina, the youngest and most protected member of her family, is shielded from the horrors as long as possible. But after the brutal public execution of Thomas’s father, it becomes impossible to hide the truth. The family realizes no one is safe—not even Alina.

When Thomas’s younger sister, Emilia, is in danger, Alina knows she must act. Defying her mother’s warnings, she bravely takes Emilia to safety, leaving her in the care of Thomas’s sister and brother-in-law. This selfless act marks the first of many moments that will test Alina’s courage and resilience.

Soon after, Alina’s brothers are taken to work for the Nazis, leaving her to manage the farm with her grieving parents while avoiding the ever-watchful eyes of enemy soldiers. The devastating news of her brothers’ deaths crushes the family, and Alina finds herself clinging to prayer and the hope that Thomas is still alive.

When Thomas returns unexpectedly to the village, Alina is overwhelmed with joy. But their reunion is short-lived. Thomas is now a marked man—hunted by the Nazis for secretly aiding a Jewish family: Saul, Eva, and their infant daughter, Tikva. Despite her fear, Alina agrees to help, drawing strength from Thomas’s unwavering belief in her.

Tragedy soon follows. Alina’s parents are arrested and deported to a concentration camp. Eva and baby Tikva are murdered. With danger closing in, Thomas devises a plan to smuggle evidence of Nazi atrocities out of Poland in exchange for safe passage. The plan is for him and Alina to escape together—but at the last moment, he urges her to go with Saul instead, promising they’ll reunite soon.

Alina embarks on a harrowing journey eastward, side by side with Saul. They assume false identities to survive—identities that will become permanent, redefining their futures forever. Through hunger, loss, and fear, Alina endures, driven by the hope of reunion and survival.

Eventually, she reaches America. Though safe, her life is marked by loss: her name, her family, and the love of her life, Thomas. For decades, she lives in the shadow of her past, without answers or closure.

Now, at 95, hospitalised and nearing the end of her life, Alina makes one final request of her granddaughter, Alice: to return to Poland.

Alice, overwhelmed by the demands of raising two children—Eddy, who is autistic, and Callie, an intellectually gifted daughter who requires constant attention—hesitates. With her husband Wade offering only occasional support, the idea of leaving feels impossible. Still, the desire to fulfill her grandmother’s dying wish and uncover the truth compels her forward.

Much like her grandmother, Alice embarks on an unexpected journey—one that challenges her fears, tests her strength, and leads her not only to long-buried family secrets but to her own transformation. In tracing Alina’s footsteps, she discovers a deeper understanding of herself and her heritage.

This moving and meticulously researched novel intertwines the lives of two remarkable women across generations. Set against the harrowing backdrop of World War II, it is a story of love, sacrifice, and enduring resilience. Both heart-wrenching and hopeful, it reminds us that even in the darkest times, courage and compassion can light the way.

A powerful, unforgettable read. Highly recommended.