Unsaid; Neil Abramson

 

Title: Unsaid

Author:  Neil Abramson

Publication Year: 2011

Publisher: Center Street/Hachette Book Group

Edition:  eGalley

Source: NetGalley

Date Completed: 6/2012

Rating: 4/5

Recommend: yes

In Unsaid former veterinarian Helena Golden, died much too young after losing her battle with breast cancer.  She left behind her grieving husband, David a corporate lawyer and her menagerie of animals which she had rescued over the years.  She was also an advocated against animal experimentation on chimpanzees. She also narrates this story.

Since her death, Helena has been unable to rest peacefully.  Although she is dead, she remains troubled by what she perceives as her unfinished business back on earth.  For example, one particular chimpanzee that she had worked with on language skills is at risk of being placed back other chimps for experimentation.  Her husband David can't seem to move on with his life, and her dogs long for affection, still waiting at the door for her to return each day.  Her spirit is also restless over the animals she was not able to save, as well as her uncompleted advocacy work which is at the heart of the story.

Unsaid is one of those quiet and contemplative stories that will leave most readers, especially animal lovers with a lump in their throats.  It's a story that has a strong focus on animal rights, as well as a story about love, loss and sense of responsibility to those in our lives, regardless if it's a human or animals.

The author is a lawyer and animal rights activist.  This is a debut novel written by the author for his wife, a small town veterinarian who worries about some of the same issues which surface in this novel.