Misinterpretation
About the book
Author: Ledia Xhoga
Publisher: Tin house
More info:
The StoryGraph | Goodreads
Note: Content and trigger warnings are provided for those who need them at the bottom of this page. If you don’t need them and don’t want to risk spoilers, don’t scroll past the review.
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My review
I picked up Misinterpretation because of its inclusion on the Booker Prize longlist, and what a curious little conundrum. On the one hand, I understand, because this chaotic, fuzzy little book is just the kind of thing I’ve found the Booker judges to be partial to. On the other hand, it got NO professional trade reviews (?) and people in my circles seem to be pretty torn on it.
The book is about an Albanian woman who works as an interpreter/translator in NYC. Unfortunately, she has a tendency to give a little too much of herself to those in need, whether the person asks for help/welcomes help or not. This puts incredible strain on her marriage and, as the book goes on, even puts her in danger.
Here’s the thing: I recognize that this book is impressive and well-written; there is much being explored when it comes to the line between doing good and doing harm and how past trauma may or may not affect it. The problem is, I simply do not love a messy main character. (The eldest daughter in me just wants to fix things and gets stressed, but not in a fun way.) So I landed mixed on this one, because HOOO BOY are these characters messy, especially the main character. I really just wanted to shake her. But honestly, nobody in this book acts like a normal person. The whole thing reads a bit like a fever dream.
So it wasn’t the book, it was me, but I probably would have DNF’ed it if it hadn’t been up to me to lead my Booker book club discussion on it. Still, if you don’t mind the mess, you might give this one a shot!
Content and trigger warnings
Stalking
Toxic relationship
PTSD/panic attacks
Drug use
