December 9th 6:30pm
This month we'll discuss Ledia Xhoga's novel about an unnamed Albanian interpreter who becomes enmeshed in the life of one of her clients, a Kosovar torture survivor, and reality begins to shift and blur in Misinterpretation.
Ledia Xhoga is a superb chronicler of post-national existence, of a narrator shifting between disparate views of reality depending on what language she's speaking and with whom. Deft and insightful, Misinterpretation reveals the disorienting process of making choices in one language and then questioning them in another. This is a moving, exceptional first novel. — Idra Novey, author of Take What You Need
Ledia Xhoga's novel about a woman whose life is on the brink of unraveling because of her good intentions explores the complexity of translating our own trauma, even to the people we love. With lyrical prose and a propulsive plot, Xhoga delves deep into the shadows of the human psyche, challenging readers to confront the darker legacies of the past while pondering the delicate balance between empathy and self-preservation. Ledia Xhoga has crafted a literary masterpiece that is as profound as it is unforgettable, solidifying her place as a talent to watch in the world of contemporary fiction. — Maisy Card, author of These Ghosts Are Family
In present-day New York City, an Albanian interpreter reluctantly agrees to work with Alfred, a Kosovar torture survivor, during his therapy sessions. Despite her husband’s cautions, she soon becomes entangled in her clients’ struggles: Alfred’s nightmares stir up her own buried memories, and an impulsive attempt to help a Kurdish poet leads to a risky encounter and a reckless plan.
As ill-fated decisions stack up, jeopardizing the nameless narrator’s marriage and mental health, she takes a spontaneous trip to reunite with her mother in Albania, where her life in the United States is put into stark relief. When she returns to face the consequences of her actions, she must question what is real and what is not. Ruminative and propulsive, Ledia Xhoga’s debut novel, Misinterpretation, interrogates the darker legacies of family and country, and the boundary between compassion and self-preservation.
To receive updates about our monthly International Literature Book Club, please email yvonne@mcnallyjackson.com.
