What We Left Unsaid, Winnie M Li
What We Left Unsaid, Winnie M Li
List: $26.99 | Sale: $18.89
Club: $13.49

What We Left Unsaid

Author: Winnie M Li

Narrator: Vera Chok

Unabridged: 11 hr 31 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 08/19/2025


Synopsis

On an unexpected road trip, three estranged siblings uncover a startling family secret and larger truths about being Asian American in a post-COVID world—from the author of the “dazzling and devastating” (Chris Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author) thriller Complicit.

The Chu siblings haven’t seen each other in years but when they’re told that their ailing mother is scheduled for an operation next month, they agree to visit her together. Then their mother makes an odd request: before seeing her, they must go on a road trip together to the Grand Canyon.

Thirty years ago, a strange incident had aborted a previous family road trip there. No one’s ever really spoken about it, but during this journey, the middle-aged Chu siblings have no choice but to confront their childhood experience.

Together, Bonnie, Kevin, and Alex travel along Route 66—but as the trip continues, they realize the Great American Road Trip may not be what they expected. Facing their own prejudices and those of others, they somehow learn to bridge the distances between them, the present-day, and their past.

With “powerful and beautiful writing” (Sarah Pearse, New York Times bestselling author), Winnie M Li weaves an emotive and eye-opening exploration of family, race, growing up, and what it means to be American.

About Winnie M Li

Winnie M Li is an American author and activist living in the UK with her partner and young son. A Harvard graduate, Winnie has written for travel guidebooks, produced independent feature films, programmed for film festivals, and developed eco-tourism projects. Her first novel, Dark Chapter, was nominated for an Edgar Award and translated into ten languages, followed by the critically acclaimed Complicit. A survivor and advocate against gendered violence, she holds a PhD from the London School of Economics and teaches creative writing and media studies.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Bkwmlee on October 25, 2025

As I sit down to write this review, it dawns on me that I have now read two road trip themed books back-to-back -- while this was definitely unintentional, I appreciate how different the experience reading each book was. Specifically, what I found most interesting was seeing how two authors from ent......more

Goodreads review by Anne on February 24, 2025

This is a sweet story of three Taiwanese siblings--Bonnie, Kevin, and Alex--whose family had attempted to go to the Grand Canyon on a road trip, but something unexpected stopped them. Now as adults, they return--immersed in memories as they grow closer to acknowledging their bond and stay true to ea......more

Goodreads review by Kristen on May 08, 2025

A timely journey that is vast in character and emotion, all the while capturing the ever-changing landscape of America in all its troubling and beautiful intricacies. Winnie M Li manages that tricky balance between the warmth of family and the challenges they can pose at the same time. Peppered with......more

Goodreads review by Olga on April 06, 2025

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the e-ARC. I have mixed feelings about this book. I really wanted to spend more time with the family in 1991; the current day bickering grew so frustrating after awhile. Eventually I started skimming it. It also felt like the author tried to shoehorn a lot......more

Goodreads review by Elena on August 15, 2025

1991 - a Taiwanese family goes on an unexpected road trip to Grand Canyon however they don't finish the trip. Post-COVID - the Chu estranged siblings (Bonnie, Kevin, and Alex) are forced to experience the Great American Road trip as a request from their ailing mother. When suppressed trauma comes to......more