The Little Things
August 12, 2015

Everything I Never Told You, by Celeste Ng, was on my holds list since May. I got the book once but only got 16 pages in before it was returned (and couldn’t be renewed) so it went back on the holds list for another month. By the time I actually sat down to read the book, I was really excited- especially by the premise. Lydia is dead (that’s not a spoiler. That’s the first sentence of the book), but no one knows exactly what happened (including you, the reader). The book switches points of view along the way (Lydia, her younger sister, her older brother, and her parents all share in the story), as well as walking through various times in their lives. The story starts back when Lydia’s parents were growing up and met, all the way through the months following her death. Her parents’ both have intense dreams and expectations for their daughter, informed by their own history and regrets.

Everything I Never Told You Book Review

As a counselor especially, I was interested in the story of how their own regrets and traumas informed their parenting, and how that impacted the next generation. That plot line was deeply poignant and wonderfully written. I also loved the plot line that involved the discussion of race and culture, as Lydia’s father is Chinese (but grew up in the US) and her mother is Caucasian American. Lydia and her family live in a very white community, and that deeply impacts her growing up as well. As her parents process her death and begin to dig further into her life, they realize that the Lydia they thought they knew was quite different than the Lydia who actually was.

Here are a few quotes I highlighted as I was reading:

“They never discussed it, but both came to understand it as a promise: he would always make sure there was a place for her. She would always be able to say, Someone is coming. I am not alone.”

“The things that go unsaid are often the things that eat at you–whether because you didn’t get to have your say, or because the other person never got to hear you and really wanted to.”

“You loved so hard and hoped so much and then you ended up with nothing. Children who no longer needed you. A husband who no longer wanted you. Nothing left but you, alone, and empty space.”

“She understands. There is nowhere to go but on. Still, part of her longs to go back”

There were parts of Everything I Never Told You that I wish had gone deeper- sometimes I was left with a feeling of just wanting more. Overall, however, this was a wonderful story with beautiful little quotes and snippets throughout. I gave the book a 4 out of 5 on goodreads, although probably would’ve given it a 3.75/5 if I could have!

For other book reviews or suggestions, check out my book review page.

Now it’s your turn to share! What makes a book good in your opinion? Does it change between genres?

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4 responses to “Everything I Never Told You Book Review”

  1. Abby @ BackAtSquareZero says:
    August 12, 2015 at 6:09 pm

    Love your book reviews. More for my Goodreads list.

  2. Kelly says:
    August 20, 2015 at 12:37 pm

    This book has been recommended to me several times and once I checked it out from the library, but I haven’t managed to read it yet. I’ve become a major softie since I had my daughter and books with dead children are so sad to me! But I keep hearing that it’s good so hopefully I’ll buck up one of these days. Just found your blog, Am off to check out some of your other book reviews!

    • littlethingscaroline@gmail.com says:
      August 23, 2015 at 1:18 pm

      That totally makes sense, and just because it’s a book people keep recommending doesn’t mean you have to read it now either 🙂 Are you on goodreads?