Things we cannot see

Remarkable story told in two voices, Alice and Alina, and in two timelines, current and WWII. 

Alice has been dealt a rough hand.  Her son, 7-yr-old Eddie, is on the autism spectrum and is non-verbal.  His daily routines are extremely scheduled and if anything is out of order, a tantrum is sure to follow.  Alice’s husband is distant and not very involved in Eddie’s schedule.  Weekly, Alice visits her grandmother in the nursing home and brings Eddie along.  Her grandmother recently suffered a stroke and is also non-verbal.  These visitations are extremely important to Alice, as she feels very close to her grandmother.

Alina is 15 years old when we meet her.  She has her whole life ahead of her.  She has a boyfriend named Tomasz who is away in Warsaw studying medicine.  She spends most days dreaming about her life with Tomasz. In 1944, her village is over run by the Germans and her life changes dramatically.

What’s remarkable about this story is how the author is able to intertwine each story and each timeline.  Significant events occur to both women and their stories are so different, but in the end, we find out how they are connected.  The devastation of war changes Alina.  Her story is compelling and heartbreaking.  Alice also changes and her story is one of forgiveness and triumphant.

I loved this book and I absolutely recommend it for book clubs who might like to delve into a good historical fiction novel.