Interpreters

by Sue Eckstein

Interweaving universal themes – the nature of identity, the meaning of family, the emotional legacy of the past – Interpreters magnificently unravels the impact of a war that resonates across four generations. One woman wants to uncover the truth about her family history. Another guards her secrets in order to stay sane. When Julia Rosenthal returns to England and visits her suburban childhood home, the memories and unspoken tensions of family life come flooding back. Looking for clues and determined to find some answers, she tries to make sense of her odd childhood and understand why her free-spirited brother has a much easier relationship with her teenage daughter. In a different place and time, Julia’s mother struggles to tell her own story, gradually revealing the secrets of her early years in wartime Germany – secrets she has carried through the century – until past and present collide with unexpected and haunting results. Sue Eckstein is also the author of The Cloths of Heaven (Myriad, 2013).

Genres: Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Joan Fallon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished this moving story about an extended family. Although beautifully written I found myself exasperated at times because I was confused about who was who in this story where each chapter takes you to a different time period and often a different country. The main protagonists are Julia, a middle aged woman, her brother Max, their mother and father and Julia's daughter. Various stories emerge and are all finally pulled together at the end. A satisfying read but could have done with more signposting.

[Anette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book written from three viewpoints. As Julia revisits her past and tries to rationalise the the way that she's brought up, her mother's secret life is revealed in alternate chapters during a counselling session. Julia's daughter's view of her upbringing is revealed gradually through a colour supplement interview.

A clever complex book with twists and hooks that won't let you go. The late night I promised myself vanished as I read this in one sitting, and didn't mind a bit.

[Sally-W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mothers and daughters. Secrets, truths and memories. Are we remembering or interpreting the past? A compelling work of fiction.

Memorable lines:
I don'€™t remember how long my mother spent in that place. I don'€™t know how many times they strapped her down with leather belts, put a block of rubber in her mouth, attached the wires and flicked the switch.

And no one thinks any worse of them for having once been persuaded to believe in a lie. They'€™re not damned for life, and never allowed to be forgiven, for having once believed the lie.

What'€™s the point of looking back all the time,€“ wondering how things might have been, what would have happened if things had been different? Things are just how they are or how they were.€™

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are several characters in this book who are haunted by their memories and are isolated by them from those around them. Although interpreters work with language,this book is mainly about interpreting those memories.
It is a very good book and the role of nationality, language, history and family relationships are personalised in a way which makes sense of them. I had sympathy for all of the main characters. I will be reading more of this author's books.

[D.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was disturbing, heartrending, beautifully written, and exactly what I would expect from Sue Eckstein. The story line weaves back and forth between this century and the last seamlessly tying together several key plot points and gripping the reader tighter with each chapter. I look forward to novel number three.

[Wendy Greenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the story and premise of this book. I was, however, confused at almost every turn by the continuous switch of point of view.