shoba's review against another edition
3.0
It was the job of the interpreter not simply to state or perform but to repeat the unspeakable. Perhaps that was the real anxiety within the Court, and among the interpreters. The fact that our daily activity hinged on the repeated description- description, elaboration, and delineation- of matters that were, outside, generally subject to euphemism and elision.
yuna's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide
Minor: Ableism
elke_l's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
intastic's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thegrandnarrative's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kbrown5455's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
There are many intimacies here - relationships between men and women, between friends - but there is also the intimacy of a man accused of war crime and his interpreter, whose language is whispered into his ear.
There are many intimacies here - relationships between men and women, between friends - but there is also the intimacy of a man accused of war crime and his interpreter, whose language is whispered into his ear.
kaloughl's review against another edition
3.0
Overall underwhelmed by this book. I really enjoyed this glimpse into life in The Hague and the court system. I have never thought about translation and how it affects court systems around the world and appreciated all the little moments Kitamura included to really grasp what this kind of life entails. I felt like the plot was kind of all over the place and though I enjoyed little parts, I wasn't quite sure what the book was trying to say in the end.
mariamichaela's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0