This is an okay book.

The writing is good, yet it can be a bit self-indulgent and melodramatic at times.

The mystery of whodunit was essentially left until the very last chapter, which truly bothered me.

By that point, the resolution didn't really appear crucial to the book anymore.

Moreover, most readers will have already guessed by the midway point who the culprit was.

In addition to this, I thought the two plot lines of Suzie's parent's murder and Suzie's relationship with Damian seemed like two disparate books forcibly combined.

It felt as if the author was trying to cram too much into one story without properly integrating the elements.

The flow was disrupted, and it made it difficult for me to fully engage with the narrative.

Overall, while there were some redeeming qualities in the writing, the book fell short in terms of its plot structure and the handling of the mystery.

I expected more from this novel and was ultimately left a bit disappointed.

I will begin by stating that this title might be slightly misleading. In fact, it pertains to an “interpreter” (albeit one who landed the job by chance, much like many others before and some still do today, due to being the children of immigrants, bilingual, and so on!). However, it is far from being the central plot. The job is merely a kind of “side-personality” that the main character possesses. It is also a bit of a reflection of how having this job can be both a blessing and a curse, similar to her immigrant identity, I would argue.

The book is extremely engaging. I could hardly put it down. It is part thriller, part murder mystery, yet it still makes you contemplate about life, identity, and the struggles of first and second-generation immigrants.

It is very well-written as well.

I gave it 4 stars only because, as an interpreter myself, I was a bit misled into thinking that this would be more about what it means for the main character to be an interpreter or something along those lines.

3.5 stars.

This moody novel, centered around NYC, commences as a psychological exploration of an immigrant family's arduous journey of striving and struggling, only to conclude as a mystery.

The main character, Suzy, the younger daughter, is gradually unveiled, yet everything about her remains vague. Her older sister, Grace, who mostly appears as an apparition in the work, is also extremely mysterious.

The parents seem to shuttle from one deli, dry cleaning store, and other establishments more like indentured servants than employees.

At approximately the midpoint of the story, the various pieces begin to coalesce. However, the second half was less successful in my opinion. It devolved more into synthesizing the clues to reach an end.

Nonetheless, I truly relished the first half of the novel, and based on that, I would be more than happy to peruse something else penned by Ms. Kim.

Suki Kim's "Without You, There Is No Us" has always been one of my favorite books. It holds a special place in my heart, and that's why I was determined to get around to reading this particular one.

If I were to rate it, I would give it a three-and-a-half star review. The beginning of the book is a bit sluggish, and it takes some time to really get into the story. However, as I delved deeper, I found myself becoming more and more engaged.

Unfortunately, the ending felt a bit disappointing. It seemed to waste a lot of the build-up and potential that had been created throughout the book. Despite this, everything in between was truly remarkable. The author painted such a vivid and detailed portrait of perpetual loneliness that it was impossible not to be drawn in.

I found myself completely immersed in the story, and I was able to finish it within just three days of my daily commute to and from the city. Overall, while the book had its flaws, it was still a captivating read that left a lasting impression on me.