More Than We Can Tell
Book Description
Secrets claw at the edges of every family, and some truths cut deeper than others. In a world where past mistakes can dictate the future, two teens find themselves entangled in a web of haunting revelations and fierce loyalties. When their lives collide, long-buried secrets threaten to shatter everything they hold dear. Trust is put to the ultimate test, and choices made in shadows can have devastating consequences. As tensions rise, will love be enough to heal the wounds of the past, or will it spark an explosion that changes everything? What happens when the price of truth is too high?
Quick Book Summary
"More Than We Can Tell" by Brigid Kemmerer is a poignant young adult novel that explores trauma, resilience, and the healing power of connection. The story follows Rev Fletcher, a teen grappling with painful memories from an abusive upbringing, and Emma Blue, who is facing escalating online harassment over her passion project, a video game. When their paths cross, they form an unexpected bond, rooted in mutual understanding and shared struggles. As both teens confront personal demons and hidden family secrets, their journey is complicated by issues of trust, loyalty, and the burden of telling the truth. Through emotional vulnerability and hard choices, Rev and Emma discover the strength to face their fears and learn that love and support can provide hope, even when life feels overwhelming.
Summary of Key Ideas
Table of Contents
Coping with Trauma and Mental Health
The novel introduces readers to Rev Fletcher, a high school student haunted by memories of severe abuse from his birth father. Though adopted by loving parents, Rev struggles to reconcile his dark past with the present, especially when he receives a disturbing letter from his father. This triggers a renewed sense of fear and self-doubt, threatening the stability Rev has worked hard to achieve. Concurrently, Emma Blue is dealing with her own crisis. Passionate about coding, she is the creator of a popular online video game. Instead of support, she faces growing harassment and intrusive online threats, at the same time her parents’ marriage is under strain. Emma feels isolated, unable to confide in those closest to her, fearing judgment and misunderstanding.
The Challenges and Risks of Online Life
Emma and Rev’s paths cross unexpectedly, and they are drawn to each other’s emotional honesty and vulnerability. Their supportive friendship blossoms as they find comfort in sharing hidden secrets. The developing connection not only offers solace but also helps them question their self-imposed boundaries: Emma learns she isn’t alone in facing pain, while Rev sees the value in opening up rather than retreating into silence. As their relationship grows deeper, it challenges both to confront the truths they’ve been avoiding.
Family Secrets and the Complexity of Trust
Family looms large in both characters’ lives, each wrestling with different but equally powerful forces. Rev must decide whether to confront or reject his biological father’s attempts at contact, fearing the risks of reopening old wounds. Emma, on the other hand, faces disappointment from her parents’ lack of support and increasing distance. The novel deftly examines how family can be both a source of strength and intense anxiety, and how secrets—kept to protect or shield—can sometimes do more harm than good.
The Healing Power of Friendship and Support
Technology and online life provide central conflict, especially for Emma, whose creative outlet quickly becomes a source of alienation and real-world danger. The harassment she faces reflects broader themes about digital life, highlighting the blurry line between the safety of anonymity and the vulnerabilities it exposes. The story encourages empathy for victims of online abuse and questions the responsibilities of creators and users in these digital spaces.
The Difficulty of Facing the Truth
Ultimately, "More Than We Can Tell" is a story about survival, compassion, and hope. Rev and Emma, through trust and shared experience, learn to face their pasts while acknowledging the possibility of better futures. Though the novel doesn’t offer easy solutions, it affirms the importance of choosing vulnerability, seeking help, and allowing friendship and love to heal even the deepest wounds. The courage to reveal the truth, despite the risks, becomes the greatest act of all.
Download This Summary
Get a free PDF of this summary instantly — no email required.