Yup, I cried, but no one is surprised.
Nothing Sung and Nothing Spoken is a story of resistance and making joy during dark times, as well as family and love. It is a story that examines when safety stops being enough and it’s time to resist and push back against harmful regimes. It is also the story of a group of friends navigating their friendship and society when it’s not safe to be Jewish, it’s not safe to be queer, it’s not safe to be disabled.
Even though it was the ending that really got me crying, this still feels like a book of hope and resistance. Set during the lead up to and beginning of World War II in Germany, it shows regular citizens trying to survive and help those they love survive, and having to make difficult choices on what survival can look like. I also really enjoyed the messy aspects of their friendships and so many of Charlie’s experiences with Geli of getting close and then having new distance felt familiar, even as reasonings and motivations don’t match my experiences. I adored the development between Charlie and Renate, the way their friendship gradually shifted and developed into romantic feelings. And the ways they support one another and keep hope alive for one another is so deftly done.
Overall, this is a fantastic book and Tyndall once again shows their ability at crafting an emotional, moving story. If you liked Malinda Lo’s Last Night at the Telegraph Club, this book has similar vibes in storytelling and with the historical setting. Definitely recommend picking this up!
