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karmapen's review
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Torture, Sexual violence, War, Xenophobia, and Violence
deedireads's review
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.
TL;DR REVIEW:
Intimacies is a sharp, taut novel that was very different from what I expected based on the synopsis. It’s much more about tension, power, and character than events or plot.
For you if: You like books that examine character, but without much plot or resolution.
FULL REVIEW:
I read Intimacies because it was longlisted for the 2021 National Book Award. It was my first book by Katie Kitamura and very different from what I’d expected.
The story is about a woman who’s moved to The Hague to take a temp job as a court interpreter with the UN’s International Court. She’s lacking a sense of home and looking to put down roots somewhere. Throughout the book’s ~200 pages, we see her interpreting for a political criminal, grappling with a teetering new relationship, and navigating new and old friendships.
The synopsis on the book’s cover makes it feel like it’s going to be twisty and full of drama, but it’s not. The book is more about tension and power dynamics than anything that actually happens. In fact, this is true to the point that I found it frustrating. Doors were opened and never closed. Weird things happened for no reason. I waited hopelessly for patterns to be explained. From what I’ve heard, this isn’t unusual for Kitamura. I think if I’d known that, I would have enjoyed the book more. But as it happened, I felt a little misled and unmoored.
Still, the strength of Kitamura’s prose and examination of power and character can’t be denied. I think I’ll plan to reread it, now knowing what to expect.
TL;DR REVIEW:
Intimacies is a sharp, taut novel that was very different from what I expected based on the synopsis. It’s much more about tension, power, and character than events or plot.
For you if: You like books that examine character, but without much plot or resolution.
FULL REVIEW:
I read Intimacies because it was longlisted for the 2021 National Book Award. It was my first book by Katie Kitamura and very different from what I’d expected.
The story is about a woman who’s moved to The Hague to take a temp job as a court interpreter with the UN’s International Court. She’s lacking a sense of home and looking to put down roots somewhere. Throughout the book’s ~200 pages, we see her interpreting for a political criminal, grappling with a teetering new relationship, and navigating new and old friendships.
The synopsis on the book’s cover makes it feel like it’s going to be twisty and full of drama, but it’s not. The book is more about tension and power dynamics than anything that actually happens. In fact, this is true to the point that I found it frustrating. Doors were opened and never closed. Weird things happened for no reason. I waited hopelessly for patterns to be explained. From what I’ve heard, this isn’t unusual for Kitamura. I think if I’d known that, I would have enjoyed the book more. But as it happened, I felt a little misled and unmoored.
Still, the strength of Kitamura’s prose and examination of power and character can’t be denied. I think I’ll plan to reread it, now knowing what to expect.
Content Warnings
Minor: Genocide, Sexual violence, Violence, and Infidelity
quickermorequickly's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Short, thoughtful read about the space between languages, between individual people— even between national jurisdictions (our scene is among the elite interpreters at The Hague, who interpret proceedings in international court). Our heroine even spends weeks alone at someone else's apartment, among unfamiliar belongings. There are big questions here on what human beings owe one another.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Genocide
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexism, War, and Infidelity
Minor: Sexual content and Sexual violence
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