Things Unspoken

by Anitra Sheen

The halcyon days of Los Angeles in the '50s are the seductive setting for this mesmerizing novel, chosen by the Los Angeles Times as one of the Best Books of the year. After her mother's death, young Jorie grows up with her two older brothers and a mostly absent physician-father. While her brothers become increasingly wild, Jorie becomes the central force holding the family together. And as they discover more of their father's entangled secret life, Jorie embarks on her own relationships that threaten their strange-but-stable world.

Genres: Fiction, Book Club

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is marked as the first novel for Anitra Sheen. I hope there are many more to follow. The writing is spare and deeply honest. I have just now closed the cover after reading and re-reading the last words. I am leveled. Beautiful writing.

[Kathy Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of a very sad and lonely childhood. Jorie was the youngest of three children and tried the best she could to fulfull the role of mother. It is sad that children are sometimes forced to grow up way too soon and that her father did not know how or didn't want to bother to be a parent. Jorie tries desperately to create a "normal" family.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written. Not a page turner in the typical sense, but she leaves you wanting to see what happens next. There were certain points in the book that were real "aha" moments for me. They really helped me understand moments in my own life when my child's mind made meaning of things in a way only a child can make.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strong beginning, but I quickly lost interest in the characters. It felt like so much more could have been addressed about the Father and his other lives

[Dominique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t believe I read this in like 7th grade……..it wasn’t a good idea to have this available for teens imo

[Jaymi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just read this book...and yet, I can barely even remember it.
That can't be a good sign, right? I mean, I think I liked it, thought it was enjoyable and read it relatively quickly. I have a really bleak outline of the story in my head right now. I remember that I liked the main character enough to be interested in what was going to happen to her. But it all just seemed so sad and I remember wanting to kick the Dad in the shins. Ok, so I remember a little more than I thought, but that still isn't a glowing review, is it?

[Tracey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just didn't have any feelings for the characters or really care at all what happened to them. If you are going to have a "mobster" undertone, then shouldn't your setting be in Chicago or NYC not LA?

[Brandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty good. It was such a strange disturbing and weird story. You really felt for the characters. I felt let down at the endthough about really understanding the father and what his secrets were. I also would have liked to know what happened as she grew up and left home.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting and unusual perspective on life through the eyes of a young girl. The descriptive writing was quite good and overall the book was truly a good read.

[Lindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale of a young girl growing up in Hollywood in the 1940s. A hard read because her mom dies and her dad is very removed from parenting, but an enjoyable tale of her childhood.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark and disturbing

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a slow book, not a lot of drama but the end of the book is VERY good.

[Alli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The emotional neglect is infuriating & sad to read, but so well done I couldn't put the book down.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book
recommend

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this 3-1/2 stars. The writing was really strong and the story interesting but just too depressing overall for my taste.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books that I have read recently. I felt such a connection to the characters.