2nd July, 2025 in Recommended Reads

The Things They Didn’t See by Angela Shaeffer

“Her smiling boy, untouchable now by waves and storms, and sheltered from disagreements, disappointments, and heartache.” The novel, The Things They Didn’t See, by Angela Shaeffer, places us soon before an unfathomable tragedy as the protagonist, Jill, a high school Spanish teacher with a compassion for her students, attempts a relaxing vacation with her family. Once a sudden death occurs, anguish soon follows each family member, as they must endure the guilt of their individual survival. As they blame each other while repressing their grief, the family begins to spiral in conflict, reflecting over their perceived mistakes. The Things They Didn’t See masterfully captures the heartache and courage involved in reaching out to others during hard times and shows how connection can lead to healing and hope, once we decide to quit running from the pain of our loss.