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The Interpreter
At the end of a demanding day of translating speeches at an international medical conference in Manhattan, Dominique Green accidentally overhears something she is bound by her interpreter’s contract never to reveal. But she can’t forget it. After discovering a potentially revolutionary HIV treatment, a researcher has decided to keep it a secret from the company he works for, indefinitely postponing its trial and release. It is a treatment that could save Dominique’s close friend, but only if it’s available soon.
The very next day, unaware of his identity, Dominique meets Nicholas Manzini, the Italian researcher who made the discovery. After a lifetime of digesting, transforming, and then releasing the words of strangers, Dominique slowly begins to develop her own voice while speaking to Nicholas. But he, too, is grappling with his own moral dilemma, one wrapped tightly around HIV treatments and ethics, personal needs and exterior pressures. As they fall completely in love, neither knows what the other is hiding—nor can they foresee what startling surprises await them when all is said and done.
The very next day, unaware of his identity, Dominique meets Nicholas Manzini, the Italian researcher who made the discovery. After a lifetime of digesting, transforming, and then releasing the words of strangers, Dominique slowly begins to develop her own voice while speaking to Nicholas. But he, too, is grappling with his own moral dilemma, one wrapped tightly around HIV treatments and ethics, personal needs and exterior pressures. As they fall completely in love, neither knows what the other is hiding—nor can they foresee what startling surprises await them when all is said and done.
- GenresFiction
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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127 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 23, 2025
It’s not about the interpreting, it’s about the betrayal. She betrayed her profession, she betrayed her man, she betrayed her past which brought her to this unique profession. Horrible illogical ending.
Otherwise it’s written beautifully.
Just not every writing is “a book”.
Very realistic descriptions of interpreter’s life. So weird she didn’t get the whole picture, we interpreters do have our voices without breaking the rules of the profession.
Otherwise it’s written beautifully.
Just not every writing is “a book”.
Very realistic descriptions of interpreter’s life. So weird she didn’t get the whole picture, we interpreters do have our voices without breaking the rules of the profession.
February 7, 2018
I obviously wanted to read this book because of the title.
Obviously the author knows about interpreting and some passages are quite realistic ( like the passage with the unpleasant colleague for example). Then some other bits are strange. The linguistic combinations are weird, at one point she is in a biactive en-fr booth but also interpreting from the Italian, German and all sorts of languages into English. I don’t quite get the logisitics. And she has far too many active languages to be realistic : French, Hebrew, Italian...
The narrator also seems very stressed out by her job.
Otherwise the story is too slow and the characters are too two dimensional.
Obviously the author knows about interpreting and some passages are quite realistic ( like the passage with the unpleasant colleague for example). Then some other bits are strange. The linguistic combinations are weird, at one point she is in a biactive en-fr booth but also interpreting from the Italian, German and all sorts of languages into English. I don’t quite get the logisitics. And she has far too many active languages to be realistic : French, Hebrew, Italian...
The narrator also seems very stressed out by her job.
Otherwise the story is too slow and the characters are too two dimensional.
December 2, 2012
This book is so beautifully written. Although the story was good, it was the writing that gives the book 5 stars for me. This is not a book to read quickly for fun on the beach, but slowly to take in the descriptions and words.
September 26, 2025
Well, what can I say. I have yet to find a book about an interpreter where the protagonist wouldn't drive me up the wall. Yet another wallflower without her own opinion who suddenly thought she was a journalist and behaved like a complete asshole (also breaking the rules of her profession).
December 9, 2007
My bookcrossing journal:
Oh my. Well, I was very grateful to dododumpling for adding the link to a colleague's critique of the book, as Colgan managed to pin down a lot of my irritation with the book. I'm sure it's a wonderful read if it doesn't hit you in the guts, as any book describing one's passion is bound to do. And interpreting is in fact one of my passions. I almost couldn't finish reading the book, as I was so pained by Dominique's obvious suffering as an interpreter. The only thing that made it bearable, was that although she makes no explicit mention of it, she obviously has finally given up this profession which clearly is not for her. As has the author. I couldn't help wondering if Glass had ever actually exercised the profession, or whether she just trained. I see it says in the biography that she actually worked as an interpreter for five years.
Ironically, years ago -in the 1980's - I discussed a similar plot with a film-maker for whom I did written translations at the time, but never took the step of writing the novel as Glass did. Maybe part of my feeling is sour grapes? I'm very glad to have read this, and may even decide to see the film someday. I do think Glass has come closer to describing the work we do than many others have, but what I found so difficult to bear was how unpleasant she found it! I kept wondering if there really are many such unhappy colleagues out there. Fortunately this has not been my experience with the dozens and dozens of fascinating, warm and witty colleagues I've had the joy of knowing.
So I guess there was no way I could just read this like any other novel -sorry, but again, thanks for making it available. If nothing else, it's another step towards putting our little understood profession in the general public's awareness.
Oh my. Well, I was very grateful to dododumpling for adding the link to a colleague's critique of the book, as Colgan managed to pin down a lot of my irritation with the book. I'm sure it's a wonderful read if it doesn't hit you in the guts, as any book describing one's passion is bound to do. And interpreting is in fact one of my passions. I almost couldn't finish reading the book, as I was so pained by Dominique's obvious suffering as an interpreter. The only thing that made it bearable, was that although she makes no explicit mention of it, she obviously has finally given up this profession which clearly is not for her. As has the author. I couldn't help wondering if Glass had ever actually exercised the profession, or whether she just trained. I see it says in the biography that she actually worked as an interpreter for five years.
Ironically, years ago -in the 1980's - I discussed a similar plot with a film-maker for whom I did written translations at the time, but never took the step of writing the novel as Glass did. Maybe part of my feeling is sour grapes? I'm very glad to have read this, and may even decide to see the film someday. I do think Glass has come closer to describing the work we do than many others have, but what I found so difficult to bear was how unpleasant she found it! I kept wondering if there really are many such unhappy colleagues out there. Fortunately this has not been my experience with the dozens and dozens of fascinating, warm and witty colleagues I've had the joy of knowing.
So I guess there was no way I could just read this like any other novel -sorry, but again, thanks for making it available. If nothing else, it's another step towards putting our little understood profession in the general public's awareness.
January 10, 2008
The Interpreter is an interesting book. It portrays several ethical dilemmas with honesty and realism. Being an interpreter herself, Suzanne Glass understands the ramifications of overhearing a conversation at a conference; as in all lines of work, there are specific boundaries that must not be crossed in regards to what can be communicated to others. It is a sort of doctor-patient confidentiality.
The two main characters - Dominique, an interpreter, and Nicholas, a medical researcher - find themselves in the midst of a budding relationship that comes to a head over HIV research. This book is very well-written, but moves slowly.
The two main characters - Dominique, an interpreter, and Nicholas, a medical researcher - find themselves in the midst of a budding relationship that comes to a head over HIV research. This book is very well-written, but moves slowly.
July 21, 2009
The Interpreter is all style and no substance: unfortunately, alternating chapters from two narrators sound almost identically and preciously lovely. I read about 70 pages but just couldn't go further. The book just isn't at all compelling.
I'm a former medical interpreter, so thought I might find something interesting about the interpreting profession... I found instead an over-reliance on the cliched idea that interpreters don't have their own voices. Maybe the interpreter-narrator does find her voice later in the book, but Glass, alas, just couldn't keep me interested enough to find out.
I'm a former medical interpreter, so thought I might find something interesting about the interpreting profession... I found instead an over-reliance on the cliched idea that interpreters don't have their own voices. Maybe the interpreter-narrator does find her voice later in the book, but Glass, alas, just couldn't keep me interested enough to find out.
July 1, 2018
Some insights, but a lot of weirdness. Not just the languages but between Jewish and Catholic.
Dominique is very mean at the end, and Nicholas stupid. She might know interpreting, but not science.
Going from his lab observations to marketable would take 4-5 years at least via animal models and hypothesis of action, toxicology etc, so no way would 6 months have helped Mischa.
Disappointing, disjointed.
Dominique is very mean at the end, and Nicholas stupid. She might know interpreting, but not science.
Going from his lab observations to marketable would take 4-5 years at least via animal models and hypothesis of action, toxicology etc, so no way would 6 months have helped Mischa.
Disappointing, disjointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2021
Beautiful, lyrical prose. Sensitive handling of an unusual plot.
November 6, 2018
Dominique is a simultaneous interpreter who is working at a medical conference when she overhears two men discussing a potential groundbreaking treatment for AIDS that is being kept secret largely for financial reasons. With a close friend who is suffering from AIDS, she is torn between exposing this information or keeping the confidentiality oath that her profession requires.
While this premise lends itself to a suspenseful story of greed, corporate espionage and danger, The Interpreter descends into an ordinary romance story and the conflict that takes place in Dominique's mind. This is an okay read told in the first person by Dominique and her lover Nicholas in alternating chapters.
While this premise lends itself to a suspenseful story of greed, corporate espionage and danger, The Interpreter descends into an ordinary romance story and the conflict that takes place in Dominique's mind. This is an okay read told in the first person by Dominique and her lover Nicholas in alternating chapters.
October 16, 2025
Two sides to the same story. One side is an interpreter who overhears people talking about a potential cure for HIV. This is significant to her because her best friend is dying of HIV. A cure could prolong his life. The other story is from the researcher - yes he’s found something that has potential but he’s a leukaemia researcher if he declares his findings he won’t be able to work on it anymore. He confides in a colleague who convinces him to say nothing until he can work on it himself at a rival company. He agrees.
Then the interpreter and the researcher meet and fall in love.
This book has a good story however I just didn’t believe the love story which this book hinges on to create conflict.
Then the interpreter and the researcher meet and fall in love.
This book has a good story however I just didn’t believe the love story which this book hinges on to create conflict.
June 24, 2023
Picked this up at a library book sale for $1 to take on a trip. I was pleasantly surprised. It was a bit unlike anything I have read before. Although it is fiction, I learned a lot about the grueling job of being a simultaneous interpreter, something I have never thought about.
The last part was unsatisfying for me, but I enjoyed the writing.
The last part was unsatisfying for me, but I enjoyed the writing.
August 16, 2018
Interesting premise and curious plot. The story unfolds across multiple cosmopolitan locations. A blend of science and art. Beautifully told story, but in the end I was somehow left underwhelmed. FYI - there is no graphic sensuality in this 'romance' novel.
July 9, 2021
Dominique overhears a comment at a conference -a significant aids breakthrough. Nicholas is overwhelmed by his discovery and is convinced to sit on it until he can change jobs. The revelation of what they know almost destroys their love. Very wordy. Very slow.
September 2, 2020
An unexpected twist near the end was a pleasant improvement.
May 1, 2024
A good story - insight into the reality of HIV treatment. Slow moving at first but then seemed to rush through ending.
November 6, 2021
Dominique is an interpreter at a medical conference, and overhears a conversation regarding withholding a discovery that would improve life for many suffering from HIV. Nicholas is a doctor doing research in New York City. Their love story unfolds as they tell their story in alternating chapters. The language in the book is beautiful! I am jealous of Dominique's interpreting abilities. It seems fascinating to be so skilled with different languages!
July 2, 2009
When I picked this book up at the library book sale, I had the mistaken idea that it was the story the movie "The Interpreter" was based on. I was wrong. I was expecting a thriller of sorts and this was nothing of the genre. Rather, it is a very descriptive narrative dealing with moral dilemmas of when divulge information.
The story is of Dominique Green and Nicholas Manzini who narrate alternate chapters (not one of my favorite styles of writing). Dominique is a simultaneous interpreter in NY. Nicholas is an Italian doctor conducting pediatric leukemia research for a pharmaceutical company in NY. The dilemma stems from the time that Dominique overhears two men talking about a potential AIDS treatment while working at a medical conference. As she has a very close friend dying of AIDS, she struggles with the decision to tell anyone what she hears or to stay true to the oath of translators to never divulge what they hear.
Interwoven into the question of how to deal with this secret is the love story between Dominique and Nicholas. What the reader knows, and what Dominique doesn't, is that Nicholas is the man behind the AIDS treatment. He is facing his own dilemma of whether to tell the pharmaceutical company he is currently working for about his discovery, even when he didn't follow all protocols in his work, or to bring his findings to another company even if it means delaying when a treatment can get out to the public.
I very nearly put the book down and didn't finish it, but instead read a book in between. The story was interesting and the moral dilemma that Dominique fought with kept me just enough to finish it out, although when I put the book down for good, I still felt that there was something missing.
The story is of Dominique Green and Nicholas Manzini who narrate alternate chapters (not one of my favorite styles of writing). Dominique is a simultaneous interpreter in NY. Nicholas is an Italian doctor conducting pediatric leukemia research for a pharmaceutical company in NY. The dilemma stems from the time that Dominique overhears two men talking about a potential AIDS treatment while working at a medical conference. As she has a very close friend dying of AIDS, she struggles with the decision to tell anyone what she hears or to stay true to the oath of translators to never divulge what they hear.
Interwoven into the question of how to deal with this secret is the love story between Dominique and Nicholas. What the reader knows, and what Dominique doesn't, is that Nicholas is the man behind the AIDS treatment. He is facing his own dilemma of whether to tell the pharmaceutical company he is currently working for about his discovery, even when he didn't follow all protocols in his work, or to bring his findings to another company even if it means delaying when a treatment can get out to the public.
I very nearly put the book down and didn't finish it, but instead read a book in between. The story was interesting and the moral dilemma that Dominique fought with kept me just enough to finish it out, although when I put the book down for good, I still felt that there was something missing.
January 18, 2010
The book itself was well composed and written. It's an intriguing story of love and conflicted friendships. The flashbacks add character definition, but the role of Dominique as an interpreter only exists to establish why she has privileged information. The concept of having no voice of her own doesn't come up until the very end when she does something destructive that has zero benefit to anyone. Having seen the movie of the same name, used overheard information as the same premise, I am glad they ditched the premise of the rest of the book and went with overheard African political information at the UN.
October 2, 2007
The book is an easy, good read but a bit heavy on description and detail for my liking. It has potentially interesting subplots, which I consider the mark of a good book. I do think these subplots could have been better developed, made more relevant perhaps.
Language is the focus of this writer's style. Character and point of view are integral to the book as well.
I did not see the subsequent movie with Nicole Kidman, but I think it was, like many movies, different from the book. I'd recommend the book. There is some mystery in it, though I'd not call it a thriller by any means.
Language is the focus of this writer's style. Character and point of view are integral to the book as well.
I did not see the subsequent movie with Nicole Kidman, but I think it was, like many movies, different from the book. I'd recommend the book. There is some mystery in it, though I'd not call it a thriller by any means.
January 5, 2009
I enjoyed this book. I am facsinated by other languages and cultures so the idea of interpreting is interesting to me. This is different than the film with Nicole Kiddman. I initially thought it was the same story...
November 9, 2008
good read with a lot of thought about moral consequences. and no this is NOT the same movie with nicole kidman and sean penn in it. completely different!!
Want to read
January 28, 2012Got this one today (1-27-12) at the 2nd-hand store for $0.50. Mine is a paperback - with this cover. uncorrected proof.
March 26, 2013
I loved the context of the interpreter's world, and I appreciated the mystical feel of the writing, but I found the plot underwhelming.
April 12, 2013
Good love story, story of secrets, very interesting.
Want to read
October 2, 20121 of 21 books for $10. 2/10/12
November 12, 2016
I loved this book, a beautifully written love story.
March 9, 2018
Intriguing look behind the scenes of global debates. A sweet love story woven through.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews