Reviews

Intimacies by Katie Kitamura

martina_otr's review against another edition

5.0

Prosa minimale, trama minimale. E allora qual è la forza di questo libro, cosa genera il magnetismo che lo caratterizza? Tutto quello che c’è nel mezzo, il tono così sommesso da essere un sussurro, il ritmo così lento e delicato da sembrare inerzia volontaria. E la consapevolezza che spesso, se si è predisposti, per fare rumore non serve clamore, basta un sussurro confidenziale, un soffio delicatissimo.

Rarefatto. E nuovo libro della mia vita, come da pronostico.

joetatum24's review against another edition

5.0

Really thoughtfully written by someone you can tell is an observer of human behavior. It didn’t really matter to me what “happened” in this novel because I was so taken by the character’s observations of herself and those around her. I loved the prose and words that were used throughout, and would love to read more from this author.

emmareids's review against another edition

mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

sethudlamz's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny informative tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

rekevin's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

adelesaintamand's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

dragonsnoot's review against another edition

informative reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

yvlie's review against another edition

challenging reflective tense slow-paced

4.0

savvylit's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

This is a quiet novel about a woman who is being exploited to varying degrees by her job, her romantic relationship, and a developing friendship. Her lover has gone to visit his ex-wife and stopped texting. Her position at the ICJ requires her to constantly translate gruesome war crimes. A new friend doesn't tell the whole truth. Our protagonist is consistently in a state of transition and indecision - should she stay in the Hague, should she extend her contract?

Overall, Intimacies is an interesting slice-of-life novel. But it's almost too quiet and too plotless. There were hints of mystery that I had hoped would develop further but ultimately petered out. Perhaps I just wasn't in the right mindset to appreciate this novel.

Lastly, this was a belated read for @occuhazard.bookclub which I love and which consistently has thought-provoking workplace novels on the roster.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, and Violence

abbeyrode's review against another edition

mysterious reflective 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? No

3.75