More Than Words Can Say

A Novel

By: Robert Barclay

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

From the author of If Wishes Were Horses comes a novel of long-buried secrets and self-discovery, showing us that sometimes what goes unsaid is more powerful than words....

Chelsea Enright never expected to inherit her grandmother's lakeside cottage deep in the Adirondacks - a serene getaway that had been mysteriously closed up decades ago. This is no simple bequest, however, because when Chelsea finds her grandmother's World War II diaries, she's stunned to discover that they hold secrets she never suspected - and they have the power to turn her own life upside down.

Even more surprising is the compelling presence of local doctor Brandon Yale, and Chelsea soon finds her "short stay" has stretched into the entire summer. She cannot put this cottage and her family's past behind her easily - and the more she learns about the woman her grandmother truly was, the more Chelsea's own life begins to change. And nothing will ever be the same again.

©2012 Robert Newcomb (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

Poorly written

This was a 'sale' book and I regret the purchase. The writing is overdone and the narrator adds more to it so that I feel like I'm listening to a soap opera.

Ugh, waste of money

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

The narrator sounds prissy, and I can't get past it. The story might be better than the rating I gave it, but I don't know because the narration has ruined it for me.

What do you think your next listen will be?

It's Not Me, It's You

What didn’t you like about Cassandra Campbell’s performance?

She sounds really, really girly, and I can't take her seriously.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Maybe if I can force myself to get further into it.

Great vacation from everyday life.

Would you recommend More Than Words Can Say to your friends? Why or why not?

While I found More Than Words Can Say a little bit light and predictable. I could relate to the main character's situation. I also liked the characters and descriptions of the area. I would really like to visit them there. Also, it is read by Cassandra Campbell who has a very nice voice and delivery. This was an enjoyable read as long as you don't expect lots of action and angst.

Which scene was your favorite?

I can think of several. I bought it because it was set in the area around Syracus, NY. I live a bit further north, but am somewhat familiar with the area. The description of the lake cottage culture seemed dead on. And the characters were developed pretty well, too.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, but it was really nice because of Cassandra Campbell's voice and pacing. I really found it easy to listen to her. There was a sort of mystery/problem in the book that I did want to get to the end of. Also, most of the people in this book were the kind of people you would like to know. No cussing or sex that I can remember.

Any additional comments?

This really isn't my kind of book. I am drawn more to Swedish detective stories. That being said, the reader and the story were interesting enough for me to finish the book. The characters were interesting and rang true, as did the events. The book dealt with a woman learning about her grandmother's secrets and deciding what to do with the knowledge. I could easily relate to that. Revelations can effect different people in a family very differently. Sometimes knowledge can be a burden.

Probably good if you like sappy romance

I got this book on sale, and I didn't really read the summary very well before purchasing it. I was expecting more of a historical fiction novel, and this was a romance novel. Therefore, even though I hated this book, I wouldn't say that it's horrible. If you like romance novels, you might like this one. The overall plot was good, but I didn't like the sappy dialogue at all and thought it took away from the story.

Melodramatic

I can't honestly tell if the story ever got any better. The first 30 minutes introduced a bit of the mystery but also characters that I had no sympathy or interest in. I am sorry I bought this and will avoid anything by this author again. So if you like cliches and stereotypes, go for this but otherwise don't waste your time

Oh Lordy

I do wish I kept track of why I purchase what I purchase. I have no clue about this one. The story is awful enough but the narration makes it even worse. I went back to see what else I have listened to by this narrator. She was sappy in them as well, but not so bad as in this story.

Granted, both of my grandmothers had died before I was born so I know little of the joy of having one in my life. But this was too far fetched, even for romance novels. I will warn readers I am about to do a spoiler alert.

Generations do differ but not to the point in this story. War time made things very different. So Grandma fell in love while hubby is off at war. Then when he dies, she consummates the love. And then she leaves him, and they both suffer forever ...apart. And this is devastating to granddaughter? Really? And what was all the big deal about this devastating car accident that was irrelevant to the plot.

And granddaughter convinces next door neighbor guy to read it with her? And he is as excited about the suspense (not!) as she is? Oh come on. And of course he has a horrific love history that he gets over oh so quickly for her. And this relates how to Grandma's story?

I could go on and on but others have expressed these faults well. The whole book was really awful and made worse by the terrible narration. She distinguishes characters nicely. But everything is so sugary, sappy sweet!! Yuck!!

Unrealistic at points

Wait a minute. You find your grandmother's diary, and you're so afraid to read what it says that you convince some guy you just met to read it with you? And even when you really want to keep reading, you restrain yourself until he comes over again so you can read the next part? And when you know one of your grandmother's friends owns a restaurant downtown, you just can't go until the guy can come along with you? I just don't think that's what a real person would do. It made Chelsea seem to me pretty spineless and without the curiosity that would drive anyone else to sit down with the diary and read it through the night. All this quivering over what the diary could possibly tell her next just seemed fake and a way to draw out the story more. I really couldn't think of one person I know personally who would react the way Chelsea did to any of the circumstances in the plot.

Barfety Barf Barf

Holy Moly that was one bad book.

I was expecting something along the lines of a WW2 intrigue based on quotes like this in the description: “when Chelsea finds her grandmother's WWII diaries, she's stunned to discover that they hold secrets she never suspected . . . and they have the power to turn her own life upside down”.

I never suspected it was a romance! I thought she’d discover her granny was a spy or worked in a secret government department during the war and lead rescues attempts or was a hidden Nazi! Something INTRESTING! Nope, I was duped. (I really have to learn to read more customer reviews before buying!!)

I hate romances; they are just not my thing. I find them boring and slow and melodramatic and cliché… is it just because I haven’t read a good one? I decided to give this one a go because I was fairy certain I could get through it in one day and I don’t have anything else downloaded right now that I’m dying to read.

I really hated it. The start was just blatant exposition, I didn’t care about any of the characters; I found them all stupid, the dialogue was sappy “She urgently wanted him to leave yet desperately wanted him to stay”. Barf. Everything felt set-up and contrived and dumb and predictable... you could basically guess the next steps in the story as you read along, it’s was all so cliché and unoriginal!!

The basic plot made no sense me: If someone bequeaths you a cottage and gives you secret letter with instructions that leads to the discovery of a secret journal are you REALLY going to PURPOSEFULLY delay reading the journal? Are you going read the entries slowly over the course of a few days? NO. You’re going to rip into it on the spot and devour it in one sitting - don’t tell me otherwise. I think even the author suspected readers might think the same thing and that’s why he makes a point of explaining and justifying Chelsea’s intention to read the journal this way. Ridiculous.

In addition, she really needs to see cardiologist. Evert 5 minutes something is tugging at her heart… that might be serious.



The narration only gets one star from me because of my #1 irritation (I am quoting myself from previous reviews): a narrator who doesn’t have a knack for foreign languages or accents. In this case it was French. It was terrible.

MORE SYRUP, ANYONE?

Clearly, this book was written by an author who appears to be condescending to weak-minded females. No one spoke like that in that time period. I have seen the silent screen films and even those corny epics of the thirtes. But, no one in the forties would speak in such patheticf, flowery phrases. As far as the story goes, it added nothing new. Two lonely people abandon themselves to one night of passion. The end result is admirable and one of sacrafice. The story moves from one generation to present day life. I admit to having wasted time on this nonsense.

Reads like a middle school journal.

What disappointed you about More Than Words Can Say?

It was utterly boring. The focus was on attire, childish and superficial thoughts. I gave up after the second chapter. Both Chelsea and her grandmother seemed so similarly pretentious. Flirtatious and pretending not to be...annoying.

What do you think your next listen will be?

None from this author. Already ordered "The Night Circus," and because it is narrated by Jim Dale, it just has to be premium!

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Annoying voice.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from More Than Words Can Say?

The kitchen scenes...the schoolgirl front, the emphasis on the clothing...

Any additional comments?

This book lacked spice and intelligent dialogue. It just didn't captivate my interest. The plot: spending time to analyze the journal just seemed too weak a ploy to get to know someone and kindle a relationship.