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yveningstar's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
kkayla113's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this book! I randomly picked it up at fondy and it ended up being really cool. Author did a great job of putting us into Suzy’s headspace and how lost and directionless she is. Most of the “action” or like revelations happen towards the end yet the book doesn’t feel slow and I liked the atmosphere that was built. Very contemporary and moody while also being a mystery. Really interesting twist on the title. Do I wish Suzy would make some better life/romantic choices? Yes but they were great in highlighting her self destructiveness. Also I will eat up books with complicated family and sibling relationships
mpmccarthy_'s review against another edition
1.0
One of those books that makes you hate reading. (1/5).⠀
⠀
While favorable on Goodreads, I was happy to return this unfinished. The character’s self-deprecating inventory of her life affairs was so stale and exasperating to the plot; despite being over 40% through, I observed no character development nor headway towards a potentially thrilling concept for mystery.
⠀
While favorable on Goodreads, I was happy to return this unfinished. The character’s self-deprecating inventory of her life affairs was so stale and exasperating to the plot; despite being over 40% through, I observed no character development nor headway towards a potentially thrilling concept for mystery.
raquelraquel's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Honestly the first five chapters were a drag but once the plot was introduced I was hooked
libreroaming's review against another edition
3.0
The synopsis of a Korean American woman who accidentally stumbles on the mystery of her parents murder five years ago really does not accurately describe The Interpreter. Ironic in a way, because the novel is all about how expectations can be fraught with mistakes and there are things whose meaning are always out of comprehension's grasp.
The good is that Suki Kim has wonderful scenes and turns of phrases. There's a melancholy tone throughout that aches and you really do get into the skin and sadness that inhabits Suzy Park. The scene of the last deposition is really the emotional payoff of the novel, with Suzy as the witness but finally understanding the interplay of what goes on. It is the perfect blend of emotion, symbolism and character development.
The bad is that it drags. The more compelling story of how Suzy deals with her troubled relationships regarding her parents and especially he sister are often overshadowed by retreading of her romances with older, married men. In fact, it takes more than half the novel for Suzy to actually even begin to examine the evidence that her parents' murder was more than it seemed, opting instead to meander through Suzy's romantic complications and hang ups. Meanwhile, the actual plot of the whodunnit is sparse, padded out and largely held up by the uncommunicative nature of the participants.
The Interpreter at its most effective is a study of culture and loneliness seen through the fractured set up of a person who was orphaned literally and figuratively by her family's behavior. The plot is more a frame that allows Kim to segue from one scene to the other, and the best parts come as observations rather than a culmination of the other elements. Best read in moody introspective moments, but people who want tightly paced stories with proactive motion should find something else.
The good is that Suki Kim has wonderful scenes and turns of phrases. There's a melancholy tone throughout that aches and you really do get into the skin and sadness that inhabits Suzy Park. The scene of the last deposition is really the emotional payoff of the novel, with Suzy as the witness but finally understanding the interplay of what goes on. It is the perfect blend of emotion, symbolism and character development.
The bad is that it drags. The more compelling story of how Suzy deals with her troubled relationships regarding her parents and especially he sister are often overshadowed by retreading of her romances with older, married men. In fact, it takes more than half the novel for Suzy to actually even begin to examine the evidence that her parents' murder was more than it seemed, opting instead to meander through Suzy's romantic complications and hang ups. Meanwhile, the actual plot of the whodunnit is sparse, padded out and largely held up by the uncommunicative nature of the participants.
The Interpreter at its most effective is a study of culture and loneliness seen through the fractured set up of a person who was orphaned literally and figuratively by her family's behavior. The plot is more a frame that allows Kim to segue from one scene to the other, and the best parts come as observations rather than a culmination of the other elements. Best read in moody introspective moments, but people who want tightly paced stories with proactive motion should find something else.
katisfullybooked's review against another edition
4.0
The writing in this novel felt so real, almost like it was a memoir.
I really enjoyed reading it, but I just wish there was a bit more plot. I understand that the focus was more on character dynamic and past trauma, but they teased at home plot that didn't come through and I was left feeling a bit unsatisfied.
However, this was an amazing read. The emotion was raw and felt real. Highly recommend!
I really enjoyed reading it, but I just wish there was a bit more plot. I understand that the focus was more on character dynamic and past trauma, but they teased at home plot that didn't come through and I was left feeling a bit unsatisfied.
However, this was an amazing read. The emotion was raw and felt real. Highly recommend!
madkc4ever's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
This book has a very slow start but I wanted to stay with it until the end because I really wanted to love this book. The author definitely had so many good things to say about immigrant life and the struggle of being bilingual and trapped between two cultures never quite knowing where you belonged and those parts of the book were well-crafted.
However, Suzy was such a hard character to read about sometimes. I found her incredibly frustrating and annoying at times. I feel like this book would have been better if it had been from Grace’s perspective because I would have loved to hear her thoughts on why she did some of the things that she did. Suzy just never wanted to go or do anything.
I was also frustrated that certain loose ends in the book weren’t completely tied up and I was still left with questions such as (SPOILER): what was the point of the silent phone calls Suzy kept getting What was the significance of the four rings? We never really found out.
However, Suzy was such a hard character to read about sometimes. I found her incredibly frustrating and annoying at times. I feel like this book would have been better if it had been from Grace’s perspective because I would have loved to hear her thoughts on why she did some of the things that she did. Suzy just never wanted to go or do anything.
I was also frustrated that certain loose ends in the book weren’t completely tied up and I was still left with questions such as (SPOILER): what was the point of the silent phone calls Suzy kept getting What was the significance of the four rings? We never really found out.
jesskco's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I read this year. I don’t usually read fiction, but this was a page-turner. I’m sorry I didn’t pick it up sooner.
mecariam's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really enjoyed this book.
Suki Kim allows Suzy Park to explore interstices of translation, bilingualism, and multiculturalism. She informs the experiences of exile within one’s self, in family, and reality. Kim also considers the politics of desire and fetishization in a refreshing and haunting fashion.
Suki Kim allows Suzy Park to explore interstices of translation, bilingualism, and multiculturalism. She informs the experiences of exile within one’s self, in family, and reality. Kim also considers the politics of desire and fetishization in a refreshing and haunting fashion.