What’s Left Unsaid by Deborah Stone – book review
What’s Left Unsaid is a book I was asked to review by the author herself. It has taken me a while to post this review but I highly recommend that you read this superb novel. It covers the themes so many of us confront in a lifetime like different types of love, parenting, caring, substance abuse, sexuality and baby loss.
What’s Left Unsaid
I remember when I was pregnant with my first child how I told my husband we must never lie to that child. Although my family were amazing in many ways, there would be cover-ups of less palatable truths leading to confusion as I was growing up. Of course, truths usually will emerge often at the worst possible times or in the middle of family strife. Largely I have stuck to being honest with my children even on difficult topics and I hope this was the right thing to do. Even then there are 2 secrets of my own that I do not share.
The Characters
We have Sasha who a mum juggling work, parenting and caring for her elderly parent as so many of us do. Her son is a teenager with all that that entails. Her husband seems strangely disconnected from his family a lot of the time. Sasha’s mother is ageing fast and also has a long-standing issue with alcohol. A big player in the book is Sasha’s deceased father who has his say on events past and present along the way.
The plot
Sasha’s son wants his family to take part in a film project sharing their lives and memories. This inevitably opens us a can of worms as Sasha and her mother Annie are prompted to reflect on their current lives and what has gone before. Traumas are revealed including evacuation during the war, abuse, infidelities all of which fall into that category of what’s left unsaid. Secrets are revealed that will rock each of the characters’ worlds.
Why I loved the book
I liked the book immediately as it hit the ground running and was engaging from the start. As a mum to teenagers myself and someone who has cared for a parent, I could empathise easily with Sasha’s struggles. I loved how the chapters are short and written from different character’s perspectives. I particularly enjoyed Sasha’s dead father’s input as he was at a distance and could take a perhaps more objective view. Also it felt that he had a wisdom that maybe only comes to us fully after death. I enjoyed the big span across different decades and looking how characters are shaped by the historical and personal happenings in their lives. It was good to be reminded that when people act in a less ideal fashion it often is a result of terrible things happening to them in their past. Again these type of things are what’s left unsaid all too often.
Conclusion
I cannot rate this novel highly enough. As I said to a friend, “This is a book I would love to have written myself”. I think that demonstrates that I would definitely give this particular read 10 out of 10.
https://www.whatsleftunsaid.co.uk/
Kate Davis-Holmes
Award-winning writer, blogger, social media consultant and charity campaigner. Social Media Manager for BritMums, the UK's largest parent blogging network Freelance clients include Firefly Communications and Save the Children UK. Works with brands on marketing projects. Examples include Visit Orlando, Give As You Live, Coca-Cola and Kodak. Cambridge Law graduate with many years experience working across three sectors in advice, media relations, events, training and project management. Available for hire at affordable rates.
13 Comments
RaisieBay
That sounds like a book I would enjoy. It’s true that we often leave things unsaid which only come back to haunt us later on in life. Great review x
#mmbc
Louisa (@LouisaInsideOut)
This books sounds very intriguing. I always try to be honest with my children and often wonder if I say too much! A 10 out of 10 rating is very impressive and makes me want to read it too #mmbc
Chantelle Hazelden (@MamaMummyMum)
Sounds quite a thought provoking novel!! Thanks for sharing with #readwithme
Catherine @ Story Snug
I like the sound of this novel. I enjoy reading books that are told from more than one character’s point of view 🙂
#ReadWithMe
mumjd
Different to my usual read, but sounds like something i would enjoy #readwithme
shelllouiseblog
It’s not something I would normally choose, but it does sound like one I’d enjoy.
sarahmo3w
This sounds fantastic and definitely a book I would enjoy, particularly as a parent of teenagers! Thankfully I haven’t been called on to care for my parents yet, but I remember my mum going through it with my grandparents and it was really hard work. She was also looking after my small children and my sister was still at university!
Coombe Mill
Oh I do like the sound of this. I think there is something here most adults can relate to, the characters sound so real. #TriedTested
MrsShilts
Sounds like an interesting book, I need to read more this year. I have three on my bedside table to get into so maybe I’ll pop this on the list to read this year too #TriedTested
Helen - from Mummy to Mum
Sounds like a book I would enjoy to read! Thank you
Hannah - Life Appears
Sounds like an interesting read!
#TriedTested
Karen Dennis
Sounds like a great book, I will download it on to my Kindle #bloggerclubuk@_karendennis
Heather Keet
I love books that get going at a good pace. #BloggerClubUK