Things We Left Unsaid

I read this book in translation.  As a native of the country the author is from, I found the translation fell short at times.
I liked the story.  Clarice, the protagonist, is a full time mom and housewife.  She has three children, the twins Arsineh, Armineh, and her son Armen.  Her husband, Artoush, is a man with strong political convictions, something Clarice openly objects.  Her mother is a perfectionist, and she is not shy in pointing out to Clarice her shortcomings in being a housewife.  Her sister, Alice, is her complete opposite.  She thinks highly of herself, has too much self confidence,  and has an opinion about anyone and anything (more often unfavorable).
The story is almost insignificant; recounts the daily lives of Clarice's family, and her social interactions with friends and neighbor.  Through out these insignificant events we meet the new neighbors, Emile, a widower, his daughter, Emily, and his mother.   They add an element of enigma to the story of Clarice's life.  Clarice interacts with them, almost reluctantly, and only because others wants her to do so.   Ironically, this forced relationship opens Clarice up to a whole new level of self awareness.  She questions her current status and wonders about the choices she has made in life.
I could empathize with Clarice.  I too often find myself putting everyone else's needs ahead of mine.  But, I hoped the story offered a shift, but instead, I think, it offered a middle ground, where Clarice was still the same person, doing the same things, but now, recognized [instead of taken for granted].

All My Puny Sorrows

This is one incredible story of strength of a family supporting, and loving each other through the toughest times. It may not be even a story, as I have heard that there's an autobiographical element to it. It is told from the perspective of the younger sister, Yolanda. 
Yolanda, the narrator, is an aspiring author. She has married twice, and about to divorce out of her second marriage. She has two children from each of her marriages. She has moved to Toronto to enable her daughter to follow her dream of becoming a dancer. She is originally from Edmonton, where her mother, and sister still live. 
Multiple unsuccessful suicide attempts of Yolanda's sister, Elfrieda, brings her back to her hometown. And why would Elfrieda want to take her own life? She has everything going for her; an established pianist who has reached fame and fortune very early in her career, and a married woman; her husband's life revolves around her.
This book is not going to answer your burning question about mental health. It is also not going to provide [false] hope that the system in place is efficient, and well equipped to care for patients in this category. But, it is going to tell you an honest story one family's courageous [futile] fight to keep their loved one safe. 
I loved reading this book, but it left the desire of hearing Elfrieda's voice unanswered. I wish the author would had disclosed more of Elfrieda's emotions in this story.