Monday 6 May 2013

The Things We Never Said

Author: Susan Elliot Wright

Published: 23 May 2013



Publisher: Simon and Schuster


What They Say: In 1964 Maggie wakes to find herself in a psychiatric ward, not knowing who she is or why she has been committed. She slowly begins to have memories of a storm and of a man called Jack and slowly the pieces of the past begin to come together...In 2008 Jonathan is struggling to put his differences with his parents aside to tell them he and his wife are expecting a baby, when a detective arrives to question him about crimes committed long ago...And as these two tales interweave, the secrets of the past, long kept hidden, start to come to light in unexpected and sometimes startling ways. The Things We Never Said is a powerful novel about fatherhood and motherhood; nature and nurture; cruelty and kindness; and mental breakdown. Written in beautiful, compelling prose, it is by turns revealing, witty and moving.

What Sheli Says: I don't think the cover of this book does it justice as I don't think I would have read it if I hadn't carefully read the blurb for it.

The story follows two main characters, Maggie and Jonathan, 40 years apart and we find how their seemingly separate lives are very much intertwined. The book alternates between 2008 and the 60s and we see Jonathan's life start to fall apart as Maggie has to put together the pieces of hers after waking up in a mental hospital with no idea of why she is there.

The book is really well written and I wanted to know more about the characters all the way through. The story was heartbreaking in parts, and I found that I couldn't put it down. The short chapters helped me to stay up a lot later than planned to read it as I kept thinking "just one more"!

I really enjoyed the book, although I found the ending a little anti-climatic. I think this was because there are some unresolved issues in the book that I wanted to know more about.

I was sent an advance copy of this book for review by Lovereading.

Sheli's Rating: 8/10


1 comment:

  1. OK you've convinced me.. I'm halfway through this now and although I'm enjoying it, I am finding it a little slow to pick up pace... I much prefer Maggie's story, would rather delve deeper into what happens with her than Jonathan! Great review Sheli ��

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