About
Things Unsaid
Things Unsaid
Award-winning book by Diana Y Paul, a tale portraying family in all its emotional complexity, tracing back three generations rooted in guilt, karma, obligation, duty, and broken promises.
Awards
Winner, Silver Medal for Best Fiction
Drama - Readers Favorite
Winner, New Adult Fiction
Beverly Hills Book Awards
Finalist, Literary Fiction and New Fiction
USA Best Book Awards
Nominee, Pushcart Prize
Synopsis
A Family Saga
Things Unsaid is a tale portraying family in all its emotional complexity and broken promises. The story could be about anyone's family. Not a mother's perfect love story. There are lies families sometimes tell in order to survive--no matter how damaging they might become.
Jules, a former professor at Stanford, is sandwiched between competing obligations: to her husband Mike and daughter Zoë and to her dying parents. Jules and Mike have set aside a college fund to pay for Zoë’s tuition as she will be leaving for Stanford soon. But then her parents lose everything in the Great Recession of 2008 and she must choose between her daughter’s future and her dying parents.
Things Unsaid raises the following questions: Do you ever worry about helping your elderly parents with their expenses at the same time you want to help your own children? Are you uncomfortable having to choose between competing obligations? Jules, her sister, and her brother all grew up in the same household--but their views and reactions to their experiences have made them all very different people. Ever-shifting covenants between parents and children reveal mismatches that neither mend nor end. Think: “August: Osage County” meets Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant with a touch of Olive Kitteridge.
Main Characters
Jules Foster
A child psychologist, Jules has always worked hard to have her life go as planned, a systematic, orderly life. A Stanford professor with a lecherous boss, Jules endures her job with the support of her husband, Mike, and teenage daughter, Zoe. Jules is the eldest of the three Whitman children.
Mike Foster
A mild-mannered attorney in mutual funds. Mike is a devoted father and husband angry at how his wife has endured a hostile working environment. He supports her and encourages her to leave her job as a professor.
Zoe Foster
A high school student who is popular and close to her parents...until she isn't. Especially close to her mother, she soon learns of her mother's terrible decision.
Robert Whitman
Jules's father. An elderly small-town physician in an unhappy marriage to Aida. Unaware of the first signs of dementia.
Aida Whitman
Jules's mother. An elderly fashionista and diva who dreamt of being a nightclub singer and still always wants to be the center of attention.
Joanne Whitman
Jules's sister and the youngest of the Whitman children. A jewelry designer and shop owner, she models her behavior after their mother and is the mother of two young daughters.
Andrew Whitman
Jules's and Joanne's brother, the middle and only son of Aida and Robert Whitman. A dentist who has been married twice and has moved to the East Coast to escape their parents.
Excerpt
Chapter 1: Family Matters
Her father’s smile disappeared. “Andrew and Joanne have to pitch in too. But I have a plan—to buy penny stocks with our Social Security. My broker warns me to avoid penny stocks, but I know better. Besides, Jules and Mike will have college tuition for Zoë soon.”
“Andrew has too many financial obligations of his own with three—or is it four?—kids,” her mother said, frowning. “So does Joanne, with her two daughters. Jules has only one child to think about.”
“Hmmm. Uh, check the answering machine, Aida. I think Joanne called and left a message,” her father suggested, ignoring her mother’s comment.
“Guess she can’t get enough of me. Thinking of my birthday.” Her mother looked pleased.
“Yeah, yeah,” her dad said. “Birthdays just remind us that our lives are shorter than the year before. I think I’ll take a short nap. Sleep is practicing for death. Wake me up, if you can, in half an hour.”
Jules watched as her bent-over father, so curved in that he looked like a giant prawn, dragged himself off to the master bedroom with his file folders. A malodorous trace followed behind him, musty and dusty like their dogwood curtains. Jules sighed. She had hoped that on this trip, for once, they could have a good time.
Reviews
“With a grace that is absorbing and deft, Paul tackles many difficult questions, including filial responsibility, depression, marital strife, and sexual identity. …The author depicts heart-wrenching conundrums as the three siblings are forced repeatedly to evaluate their personal priorities….An engaging tale of family dysfunction and intractable senior citizens”.
– Kirkus Review
“It is the simplicity of the writing that makes these relationships- and the story- so powerful. … It is certainly worth it to stick around to the end, as more surprises are revealed. Even for those who prefer more action-packed stories, I strongly advise you to take a peek into the lives of these characters and give this story a try. The characters, including the subtle nuances and intricacies of their lives and experiences, are quite moving and memorable.”
— The Editing Pen
Readers are sure to recognize at least a trace of their own family dynamic in these characters…. Paul chose not to make any of her characters full-on slacker types, or ne’er-do-wells,…Rather, they are flawed and completely relatable individuals, which makes the story all the more compelling….Things Unsaid will make readers ask themselves some tough questions, like “What is your family?” “Is (and should) blood be truly thicker than water?” And finally, “When is enough obligation enough?”
– Sara Hodon, Compulsive Reader
An outstanding book that is not only deeply honest, heartbreaking and hopeful, but also brilliant, poignant and original…. It captures what is at the heart of all of us and showcases that life is what we make it…. Brilliant, just brilliant! 5 stars”
– Emily Lewis, Mrs.MommyBookNerd Blog
“A story of the complexity of the bonds between parents and children and how difficult it can be to escape them, “Things Unsaid” clearly showcases author Diana Paul as having a genuine flair for narrative-driven and truly memorable characters. Very highly recommended, especially for community library General Fiction collections”
— Midwest Book Reviews
Diana Y. Paul is our first to come from the Buddhist tradition. Her novel, Things Unsaid, dissects family and generational relationships not only from the traditional storytelling perspective – and she tells a compelling story – but also from the wellspring of her philosophical beliefs.
– Darrell Laurant, reviewer, Snowflakes Arise
Paul develops each character and situation to its fullest. Her plot development is perfectly executed…For me, I kept seeing my mother and aunt dealing with the difficulties of their aged and ill mother with Alzheimer’s…. Paul skillfully draws the reader in … can I do that when the time comes? Paul is a talented storyteller that has a keen insight into family and emotions.
— WordsaPlenty.com
Where to Buy Things Unsaid
Things Unsaid, Diana’s debut novel, published by She Writes Press, is available on many different platforms.
