We Never Told is a journey from the 1950s to the present day from the view point of Sonya Alder, who began her life with two glamorous parents living a fabulous Hollywood lifestyle. Sonya and her sister Joan grow up pampered, but aware of the values and expectations that their parents and extended Jewish families have for their futures. As time progresses, however, the sisters are affected by their parents crumbling relationship, diminishing income, and lack of interests in their daughters’ happiness. The sisters each begin to deepen their individuality and make decisions far different from past generations as they and their families grow, both women searching for an ending far different from their parents. This book is billed as a story with a big mystery, as the reader finds out at the beginning that Sony and Joan’s mother, Violet, had a child in secret; however, the title’s true value is in Altman’s fleshing out of characters and family dynamics in a style reminiscent of Wally Lamb, as the characters manage change, pain, opportunities, and growth.

— M

The author speaks with sophistication and style about the experiences of American women in the recent past.

There are stories relating to women that are as timeless as time itself. As advanced as society may become, there are issues that women and their children deal with that seem never to change. We Never Told is one such tale.We all are a result of the influences of those around us. That is the beautiful lesson of We Never Told. Altman weaves together an incredible story of women, children, families, care-takers, the world in the late 20th century and that of today and makes each aspect of her story completely relevant to now. While of the book takes place in the 20th century, it isn’t historical fiction, but a timely read for today’s generation. It is one that I highly recommend.

I enjoyed Diana Altman’s novel. I enjoyed how it went through the years of all the characters with enough details about specific events, and how it would then pass through time to the next big event without details of day-to-day monotony in-between. I had a hard time feeling very sympathetic towards Violet based on how she acted as a mother, daughter, and friend to others. I am surprised her daughters kept the amount of love towards their mother that they did, but that might show the power of a mother-daughter relationship. I can see this book being read by young adults through all ages, especially those who enjoy historical fiction as this novel is set throughout several decades and showcases how culture changes, and in Sonya’s case, how women are viewed and behave.

"We Never Told" examines the author's family's own truths in a painfully honest way that shows Altman's ability to craft artful stories in the sweet spot between fantasy and the truth.