Nabokov

Nabokov is a complex figure. If he hated America so much, does that mean he loves Russia? I don't believe he did. I don't think he was capable of that intense kind of love or hate for a country. He was, in my view, too selfish. This can be clearly seen in his writing. He chose each word with such care as if his entire life depended on it. He was infamous for jotting down every thought on three-by-five index cards. His life was a continuous journey of exile, moving from England to Germany, then to France, to America, and finally to Switzerland. It was right after renouncing his Russian nationality that he presented the American public with this novel called Lolita, which some might consider a form of verbal masturbation. Here we have this Russian guy who had only been living in the US for about a decade or so, yet was able to handle the English prose in a way that was almost as wild as Faulkner on acid!

For Nabokov, the simple comparison of Russia versus America would have been too simplistic. If he was tortured, and I believe he was, then it was about something less obvious. The Cold War might have had some influence, but his oddness, that something which doesn't quite make sense about him, goes much deeper. No, I'm not referring to the sexual perversity in his book, which is hardly relevant here, but rather something else. It's the neatness, the systematic design of his life, just like those index cards. Did you know that he lived exactly twenty years on each continent? Twenty years in Russia, twenty in Western Europe, and twenty in America. Before his final attempt in the neutral Switzerland, where he ended up dying in his seventeenth year there. If he had lived, would he have moved again once he filled his twenty-year quota? And where would he have gone?

The movie was rather heavy on character development, but unfortunately, it was quite weak when it came to the plot. The mystery that was presented had some potential, but it really needed better execution to truly engage the audience. There were moments when I found myself losing interest in the story due to its lack of coherence and pacing.

However, there were a few bright spots in the movie. The only parts that I really resonated with were the few paragraphs where the author explained what it is like to be an interpreter. As someone who works as an interpreter myself, I could really relate to the experiences and challenges that were described. It was refreshing to see a movie that accurately portrayed the nuances and difficulties of this profession.

Overall, while the movie had its flaws, it did have some redeeming qualities. The strong character development and the accurate portrayal of the interpreter's experience were both值得称赞的 aspects. However, if the filmmakers had focused more on improving the plot and its execution, the movie could have been a lot better.

Two hundred iPhone pages into it and I felt like I knew absolutely nothing about the main character.

I had been reading intently, hoping to gain some insights into who this person was, what made them tick, and what their story was all about. But as the pages scrolled by, I was left with more questions than answers.

The author seemed to be withholding crucial information, perhaps deliberately, to build suspense or create an air of mystery. But for me, it was starting to become frustrating.

I wanted to understand the main character on a deeper level, to connect with them and feel their emotions. I felt that without this connection, the story was lacking something essential.

Despite my growing dissatisfaction, I continued to read, hoping that at some point, the author would finally reveal the true nature of the main character and everything would start to make sense. But until then, I was left in a state of uncertainty, wondering what lay ahead and whether my patience would be rewarded.

The author paid a visit to my high school.

When the book was published, we were given the task of reading it.

Subsequently, she came to our class and engaged in a discussion about the book with us.

It was truly a great deal of fun.

We had the opportunity to share our thoughts and interpretations of the story, and the author was very receptive and provided valuable insights.

Her presence added a special touch to the whole experience, making it even more memorable.

We all thoroughly enjoyed the discussion and it enhanced our understanding and appreciation of the book.

It was a wonderful event that I will always remember.

Not good, not bad.
Probably it's my fault that I don't read the book descriptions before starting to read them. Instead, I'm guided by the cover, title, and author. Thus, I expect the universe to surprise me, but most of the time, I end up reading mediocre/banal books = good ones. Three stars mean a good book and that's about it.

Regarding Suzy, who is 29 - 30 years old and part of an immigrant family (settled in America; it's never explained why they chose to leave Korea? or maybe I don't remember??). Suzy translates for defendants in court (from Korean to English). The only somewhat interesting thing was how the author played with this concept of the translator - the interpretation of nuances, words, emotions, etc. in various contexts. However, I would have liked it more if the story focused on this aspect and not on the death of the parents, the mystery behind their deaths, and the relationship between the two sisters (Suzy and Grace). Here it's my fault for not reading the description before.
I realized that I don't like stories about families? relationships between brothers/sisters because in most of the ones I've read, there always exists (even if the sisters/brothers don't get along) a mutual understanding, as if you understand your brother 'in spirit' just because you're blood relatives??? And it just seems very stupid to me, I don't know.

I liked the first half more, but after that, meh.
And then her romantic relationship, with that completely unsatisfactory and very stupid ending??? Bleeeah.

Interpreters are those who play a crucial role in bridging the gap between different languages and cultures. They are not just the ones who convey the meaning of words from one language to another, but also those who interpret the essence of one way of life to another.

Suzy Park earns her living as an interpreter. Her work involves translating the questions posed by the lawyer to Korean people who are not proficient in English and also interpreting their responses. Interpreting seems to come naturally to her as she has been doing it all her life. Her parents could only speak Korean, and she and her older sister Grace regularly translated for them.

However, her life takes a drastic turn when she is kicked out of her home by her father after he discovers that she is having an affair with a married man. Years later, her parents are tragically killed in their store, shot through the heart. Suzy is devastated and heartbroken as she never gets the chance to make amends with them. To make matters worse, her sister Grace cuts off all ties with her.

She struggles through life until one day when she happens to overhear a man mention her parents during a deposition. It becomes clear that there is more to the murder of her parents than meets the eye. Only someone who understands the subtleties of the Korean way of thinking can untangle this complex mystery. In the process, we get a glimpse into the seedy underbelly of illegal immigrants, who are caught in a difficult situation, working hard but never quite making it. Some of them fall into depression, while others resort to desperate measures to survive.

While the first generation of immigrants is focused on making ends meet and surviving in a foreign country, their children face a different set of challenges. They are torn between wanting to assimilate into American culture and staying true to their own heritage. They are constantly at odds with themselves.

The pace at which you read a novel depends on how engaged you are with it. I was completely engrossed in this book and could hardly put it down. (In fact, it was my Kindle that I was reading on.) I even sacrificed my sleep to finish the book, and now I have a bit of panda eyes.

The book starts off slowly, and you may wonder why the protagonist, Suzy, is so full of angst. But soon enough, you are drawn into the thick of the action.

Although the book is centered around a murder and the mystery surrounding it, it cannot be simply classified as a thriller. It is more of a noir psychological murder mystery that requires the interpreter, Suzy, to piece together the events of the past and interpret their true meaning in order to solve the case.

"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." This quote sums up the essence of Suzy's role as an interpreter and her journey in solving the mystery of her parents' murder.

Incredible! This book has truly captivated me.

It weaves a heart-wrenching family story set against the backdrop of social injustice among different ethnic groups in New York in the 2000s, all told in a magnificent writing style. I highly recommend it. It prompts us to reflect on our social status and the fact that we are privileged. Moreover, the Korean-American culture presented in the book is based on the historical context of the Korean War, which helps to develop a certain understanding of the two cultures.

The author has a real talent for leaving readers not just amazed but also overwhelmed and astonished at the end of each chapter.

However, I didn't give it a 5/5 because the story is still a bit complicated to follow in some places, and the beginning of the book seems a bit confusing at first glance due to the prose.

Overall, it's a remarkable read that offers both entertainment and food for thought.

The central character in this novel is truly difficult to like.

I understand that it's not necessarily a crucial factor for a great novel, but it indeed makes the reading experience a real struggle.

As I turn the pages, I find myself constantly put off by the character's unappealing traits and actions.

It's as if there is a barrier between me and the story, preventing me from fully immersing myself.

Despite this, I still persevere, hoping to discover some redeeming qualities or a deeper layer to the character that might change my perception.

However, with each passing chapter, my frustration grows, and I wonder if it's really worth the effort to continue.

Maybe this is a deliberate choice by the author to challenge the readers and make them question their own expectations and biases.

Or perhaps it's a flaw in the character development that needs to be addressed.

Either way, it's clear that the central character's lack of likability is having a significant impact on my enjoyment of the novel.

Suki Kim is truly an amazing writer.

The Interpreter unfolds the story of a young Asian American woman who is desperately trying to unearth the crumbs from her dysfunctional childhood that could validate her very existence.

The protagonist's journey is replete with pain and sorrow, making it a difficult read for me, yet it is well worth the arduous journey.

I had an intense longing for her to discover the truth regarding what transpired with her parents and the whereabouts of her estranged sister.

Her profound sense of aloneness and the struggle to find herself are palpable.

As a Caucasian, it deeply hurt my heart to be aware of how cruel America can be towards immigrants.

The brilliance of employing the interpreter to narrate these stories simply cannot be understated. It adds a unique layer of depth and authenticity to the narrative, allowing the readers to truly understand the experiences and emotions of the characters.

Overall, The Interpreter is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that offers a poignant exploration of identity, family, and the immigrant experience.

Good! I never guessed that this would be the outcome.

At first, everything seemed so ordinary. But as events unfolded, I was completely taken aback.

I had my own expectations, my own ideas of how things should go. But reality had other plans.

It's funny how life can surprise us like that. Just when we think we have it all figured out, something unexpected comes along and turns everything upside down.

In this case, I'm not sure if I'm happy or sad about the result. On one hand, it's a pleasant surprise. On the other hand, it means that I have to adjust my thinking and my plans.

But that's life, isn't it? Full of surprises and uncertainties. We just have to roll with the punches and see where it takes us.

I guess only time will tell if this was a good thing or a bad thing. For now, I'm just going to embrace it and see what the future holds.

Tradurre non sempre vuol dire comprendere. This is a profound statement that holds true in many aspects of life. Take Suzy, for example. She is a Korean who has moved to NY with her family. Tragically, her parents are shot dead in their fruit and vegetable store. Suzy, who had stopped speaking to them for a long time due to her scandalous relationship with a married man, now finds herself following the clues left by the police. It seems that the police have no desire to investigate the double murder of these immigrant workers. However, being an interpreter, Suzy discovers that the other Koreans in the ghetto are quite willing to tell her what they haven't told the police. Then there's Grace, the perfect sister, who knew the truth all along but never said a word.

This is a thriller set against the backdrop of the Korean ghetto in NY. The cultural characterization is good but not fully explored. It's a story that could have happened to any immigrant in the US trying to make a life away from their roots. The story itself is simple and believable, but not unforgettable.

Tradurre non sempre vuol dire comprendere

The Interpreter is composed in a rather morose and melancholy tone. I constantly oscillated between loathing and pitying the main character, Suzy. We are presented with a 29-year-old woman who seems deeply depressed and has made a series of bad choices. This, in turn, became the source of the loathing I felt towards her. I simply couldn't fathom the choices she made. Her character appeared hollow to me, teetering on the fence between life and death, doing the absolute minimum to avoid getting stuck on the dead side of that fence.

Depression can be likened to having the desire to \\n  do\\n various things, such as shopping, cooking, socializing, or even going to a pet store to play with the puppies, but being completely unable to engage in those activities that once brought joy. It's as if one is held back by heavy weights, and all they can do is lie motionless, perhaps mustering just enough energy to watch Netflix and see others doing all the things they long to do.

Suzy Park, on the other hand, has no desire, no wish to \\n  do\\n anything at all. She wants her life to be different, yet she doesn't even think about, let alone take action on, what needs to be done to initiate change and bring about regular intervals of contentment. Forgive me if this is also a component of depression that I'm not aware of, but I found this aspect incredibly frustrating.

Things finally began to pick up around page 250. The first 200 pages mainly oscillate between reflecting on past events and the monotonously aggravating present. The mystery became interesting from around page 250 and beyond. However, the ending was somewhat lacking. Although many questions were answered, the relationship between Suzy and her sister, Grace - the dysfunction of which was discussed throughout the novel - remains incredibly uncertain. We have no idea if the sisters will change their lives after finally understanding what had been confounding them for so many years.

In spite of the intriguing mystery, I often found myself, in the middle of a page, a paragraph, or even a sentence, wondering whether those first frustratingly boring 200 pages were truly necessary. After finishing the novel, I can't say that they were. This, along with the dull and lifeless writing and the lack of closure at the end, is precisely why I gave The Interpreter a low rating.