The Story That Cannot Be Told by J. Kasper Kramer tells of Ileana, a girl who loves stories, during the height of Romania’s Communist regime. Despite its historical setting, this book reads like a good story. Ileana will capture readers’ sympathies with her spunk, love of stories, and occasionally unwise decisions.
Y’all know fantasy is my favorite. But when I find a beautifully told historical fiction novel like this, especially one with hints of magical realism (where the reader must decide if the supernatural elements are real or explainable), I can’t help but share it.
The Story
Ileana is a young girl who loves stories. She collects stories and writes her own. But she lives in Communist Romania, and stories can get you in trouble. Her uncle has been sent to prison for his writing. And when Ileana’s parents learn their house has been bugged, they send her to her grandparent’s remote village for safety.
As Ileana adjusts to her new life, she weaves a fairy tale around her own story. When the very danger her parents tried to protect her from arrives in their town, Ileana becomes brave (strengthened by stories, no doubt). Yet there’s one story that no one will tell her: the story that cannot be told. And that one story is key to everything going on around her. I won’t give away the ending, but brave Ileana uses story in a beautiful way to help overcome her fears and the enemy powers around her.
What I Loved
Interwoven stories–Many layers of story weave through this book. There’s the Romanian revolution, Communist oppression, folk tales, Ileana’s own fairy tale, and the stories of many other character’s throughout the book. Often times, Ileana isn’t sure which version of a story is true and is trying to uncover that truth.
Hints of magical realism–This thread becomes stronger as the story goes on. The reader must decide what is real and what is imagination.
Historical setting–Many of us are familiar with the communist revolution and overthrow in Russian. However, I wasn’t aware of Romania’s Communist history. This story organically spans the end and overthrow of that regime.
Bird’s eye view–Though we read the story from Ileana’s point of view, Kramer still clues us in when Ileana makes a foolish decision (like allowing the “electrician” in the house). The reader sees what Ileana cannot.
Parents should know
Disturbing images–There are a few disturbing descriptions that make this book best suited to kids twelve and older. Ileana finds a badly beaten man. Ileana’s grandfather recalls being forced to spray Jews with gasoline to be burned and having to clean up blood and guts after an explosion. For the most part, although this book deals with serious issues like war and tyranny, it stays away from anything very graphic.
Peril–Ileana and her family and friends confront the real danger of being killed or tortured (like her uncle) by the communist soldiers.
Paternal relationship–Ileana is angry with her father for much of the book after he destroys her stories. She even claims to hate him. This does resolve by the conclusion. In the end, Ileana comes to see that her father acted out of a desire to protect her.
Witch–There’s an old Roma woman who may or may not be a witch. The story never seems to come down on one side or the other. At one point she helps dig an old curse box from under someone’s house. There are a few other mentions of curses, luck, and superstition.
I highly recommend The Story That Cannot Be Told. This beautifully wrought historical fiction story with hints of magical realism is suitable for kids (and adults) age twelve and up.
Looking for more great middle-grade books? Check out my Beyond Narnia Booklist.
