The Interpreter by suki kim

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Emotional baggage. Emotional damage. The encyclopedia of pain and sadness.

This book is truly a remarkable piece of work. It is filled with a beautiful sadness, a profound grief, and the artful yearning of childhood. It delves deep into the exploration of immigrant life, uncovering the cultural boundaries of language and the personal suffering that stems from grieving the loss of a family member.

Kim's writing is incredibly succinct and perfectly curated. With every word, she manages to establish a sort of melancholic atmosphere that draws the reader in and doesn't let go. It is a masterful display of storytelling that leaves a lasting impact.

This was really an amazing book, and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to pick it up. As someone who has a passion for translated literature, I can say without a doubt that this is a must-read. However, be prepared to shed a lot of tears along the way... It is a powerful and emotional journey that will touch your heart.

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RohitKun

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Review from Asia Thrills - https://asiathrills.com/the-interpret...

I first discovered Korean-American writer Suki Kim through her 2014 book “Without You, There Is No Us.” This remarkable work details her experiences teaching the sons of the North Korean elite at the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology, a unique institution staffed solely by foreigners.

However, she has also penned “The Interpreter,” her first (and, to date, only) novel. It chronicles the life of a young Korean-American woman, Suzy Park, who works as a court interpreter in New York. The story unfolds as she uncovers clues about the mysterious circumstances surrounding the murder of her parents.

I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed this book for the rich and vivid atmosphere it creates, depicting the lives of Koreans living in America. Doubtless, part of my enjoyment stemmed from the fact that my wife is Korean, and I frequently encounter Koreans who have chosen to leave their homeland and reside abroad.

Yet, it is a somewhat peculiar book. In some respects, it leans more towards a family saga as we delve into Suzy's complex and somewhat tortured relationship with her parents. We also gain significant insights into her lovers and her sister. There are several amusing and realistic courtroom vignettes that showcase Suzy's struggles to assist downtrodden Korean immigrants.

Then, midway through the book, it transforms into a murder mystery as Suzy realizes that the killing of her parents five years ago was not the random tragedy it initially seemed. It appears that there were individuals with motives for wanting them dead. So, what were her parents truly involved in? Suzy is determined to find out, and she now ventures into a terrifying world of Korean gangs and mafia-like figures.

I must concede that it is a little sluggish and not as suspenseful or gripping as it could potentially be. Nevertheless, Kim's writing is so fluid, and she is so adept at creating strong characters and portraying the lives of Korean immigrants that I couldn't help but keep turning the pages.

“The Interpreter” was published in 2003. A writer as talented as Kim should undoubtedly be producing many more books. I eagerly anticipate her next novel.

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MAITcoelho

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Suki Kim is truly an outstanding writer. Her work is of such high quality that it is extremely difficult to put down once you start reading.

What makes her latest book even more captivating is that it is not just a simple murder mystery. Instead, it delves deep into the lives of immigrants and the complex relationships that exist within their communities.

However, at times, it can be a bit challenging to follow the narrative as she skillfully weaves together the events that are happening in reality with the thoughts and experiences that are taking place in the main character's mind.

Despite this minor drawback, I am absolutely hooked and cannot wait to get my hands on her next book. I have no doubt that it will be just as engaging and thought-provoking as her previous works.

I highly recommend Suki Kim's books to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a deeper meaning and a unique perspective on the immigrant experience.

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DjangoUnchained2

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

The blurb was truly promising. It had all the elements that could have potentially drawn the readers in and made them eager to explore the story further.

However, as one delved into the narrative, it became disappointingly underwhelming. Suzy seemed to go on and on with a plethora of random memories or rambled about her extremely toxic relationships. But throughout all of this, nothing truly relevant or significant seemed to occur.

I couldn't help but wish that the author would have taken the opportunity to dig deeper into more interesting aspects. For instance, Suzy's parents' case, their life as immigrants in the US, or her job as an interpreter. These were areas that held great potential for rich and engaging storytelling.

If the author's intention was indeed to make the readers feel as empty and unfulfilled as Suzy, then perhaps they achieved their goal. However, from a different perspective, if the aim was to tell a captivating and meaningful story, then I really don't see the point of this particular narrative. It left me feeling rather dissatisfied and longing for more substance.

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TruthSpitterTM

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

The interpreter, however, is the shadow. The key is to be invisible. She is the only one in the room who hears the truth, a keeper of secrets.

I ended up liking Suki Kim’s The Interpreter quite a lot. However, after the opening chapters, which helped establish the personality and some quirks of the heroine, Suzy Park, it took considerable time before I felt engaged in the story. That might be the only complaint I have with this novel. The writing was good and the story, once it kicked into gear, was compelling.

The mystery of the story was really a mystery of identity. Who is Suzy Park? Are her parents and sister really who she thinks they are (or were)? In that respect, it reminded me somewhat of a Haruki Murakami novel where you have this history which doesn’t always make sense unless you somehow make it personal. And to engage in history at a personal level is always potentially dangerous.

Looking forward to reading more from Suki Kim!

“The interpreter, in this context, is like a silent observer, a shadow that blends into the background. Her role is to be invisible, to fade away so that she can hear the unfiltered truth. She is the keeper of secrets, the one who holds the key to understanding the hidden motives and emotions of those around her. In Suki Kim’s The Interpreter, this concept is explored in depth. The story follows the life of Suzy Park, a young woman who finds herself in the middle of a web of mystery and deception. The opening chapters do a great job of introducing us to Suzy and her unique personality. We learn about her quirks and her struggles, and we begin to empathize with her. However, it is not until later in the novel that the story really takes off. Once it does, though, it is impossible to put down. The mystery of Suzy’s identity is what drives the story forward, and it keeps the reader guessing until the very end. Overall, The Interpreter is a well-written and engaging novel that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.”

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Cynical-Psycho

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

A beautiful and spare novel

It is a beautiful and spare novel that presents a world that is bleak and cold.

The setting of the story is in New York City, which is depicted as one of the bleakest and coldest characters in the narrative.

The city's harsh streets, tall buildings, and impersonal atmosphere all contribute to the overall sense of desolation.

The characters in the novel are also affected by this environment, struggling to find meaning and connection in a world that seems to offer little.

Despite the bleakness, however, there are also moments of beauty and hope that shine through, making the novel a powerful and moving exploration of the human condition.

Overall, it is a novel that will stay with readers long after they have turned the final page.

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Zemas

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I have several "to read" Korean books on my list, and this particular one happened to be the first that became available. It has a really good story and engaging narrative. The mystery within the book could have potentially taken a few different directions towards the end. However, it actually went in a way that I didn't anticipate at all. And you know what? I really liked that about it. It added an element of surprise and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the reading process. It makes me look forward to exploring the other Korean books on my list, hoping to have similar exciting experiences.

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kaonasi_mV

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This is a very good book that presents an interesting point of view on North Korea.

It offers unique insights into the country's history, culture, politics, and society.

The author has done extensive research and presents the information in an engaging and accessible way.

The book challenges some of the common misconceptions and stereotypes about North Korea and provides a more nuanced understanding of the country.

It is a must-read for anyone interested in learning more about North Korea or international relations in general.

Whether you are a student, a researcher, or simply a curious reader, this book will surely provide you with valuable knowledge and food for thought.

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