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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

A story of an unsolved death haunts the daughters who are left behind. This is told from the perspective of one of the daughters, Suzy. She had been estranged from her family for years before the murder of her parents. Also, she was abandoned and deliberately forgotten by her sister, who was her only known relative. So, she is left to find the answers on her own.

Although this story may not be outstanding and brilliant in a traditional sense, it has a haunting and gripping quality. It will take the reader back to the very core of their being and make them think deeper about their identity, especially from a cultural perspective. These are Korean daughters whose family migrated to America in pursuit of the American dream. With both cultural aspects deeply ingrained in them, yet without the feeling of belonging to a single culture, we get a unique glimpse into the decisions they make and the lives they choose in relation to this huge gap in cultural identity.

Often, we neglect the importance of culture and family background in our lives. However, this book brings us back to the fundamental realization that these elements can have a crucial effect on how we decide and act in our daily lives. It makes us reflect on how our cultural heritage shapes our choices and who we ultimately become.

One of my all-time favorites is a story that is truly chilling and dark.

It has the power to send shivers down your spine and make you feel a sense of unease.

The atmosphere it creates is so palpable that you can almost taste the fear.

The characters are well-developed, and their actions and decisions add to the overall sense of dread.

The plot twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

It's a story that lingers in your mind long after you've finished reading it, making you question the nature of good and evil.

Despite its darkness, there is also a strange allure to it that keeps drawing you back for more.

It's a masterpiece of horror and mystery, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good scare.

Please provide the article that needs to be rewritten and expanded so that I can help you.

  "Being bilingual, being multicultural should have brought two worlds into one heart, and yet for Suzy, it meant a persistent hollowness. It seems that she needed to love one culture to be able to love the other. Piling up cultural references led to no further identification.”

Suzy Park exists in a compartmentalized, almost ghostlike existence within her unfurnished Manhattan apartment. Lacking a family to rely on, having few friends, and engaging in unhealthy relationships with unavailable men, Suzy finds solace in her anonymous role as a Korean interpreter. As part of the “1.5 Generation,” she often reminisces about the arduous process her family endured when assimilating to life in New York after arriving from Korea. Not permitted to forget the customs of a country she scarcely recalls, yet never feeling American enough, Kim skillfully portrays the isolation and loneliness that plagues Suzy and this particular group of adolescents and adults.



On the fifth anniversary of her parents’ mysterious demise, Suzy receives a foreboding gift, followed by a succession of disconcerting coincidences. Her pursuit of answers to long-forgotten questions leads her back to old neighborhoods and the haunts of her youth. Along the way, she is thrust into memories she has been striving to escape for the past ten years. Did she truly know her parents? Why has she not grieved their deaths? Is she even capable of love?



I was deeply affected by Suzy’s loneliness and grief. Kim’s prose is so vivid that I could almost feel the protagonist’s burden weighing heavily on my own shoulders. Consider this sentence and see if you understand what I mean:

  “Nothing is as desolate as a late-autumn beach. The motels with “Vacancy” signs wear the dejected face of the abandoned. The fish-and-chips stands have pulled down their shutters, closed for the winter. Fickle and selfish, the rest of the world has skipped out.”

Immigrant life is far from easy, and I adored the way Kim gently introduced me to the Korean communities in Queens and Brooklyn. It was like taking a virtual journey! The mystery element of this novel kept me eagerly turning the pages, but Kim’s prose was equally outstanding. Many times I found myself marveling at the craftsmanship of her analogies. For instance, Suzy is a Literature major in college, and I relished her bookish conversations with her friend about Nabokov and other authors, as well as the linear connections to artists like Van Gogh during her discussions with her Art major roommate. It’s these details that truly tie this book together in a neat little package. An excellent read that I highly recommend. I’m eagerly looking forward to reading her memoir, Without You There Is No Us.