Intimacies by Katie Kitamura is praised for its evocative language and atmospheric narrative. Reviewers appreciate the nuanced exploration of relationships and the protagonist's inner life. However, some find the pacing slow and the plot underwhelming. Overall, it captivates those who favor character-driven stories.

A reader who would enjoy Intimacies by Katie Kitamura is one who appreciates introspective narratives and complex character studies. Fans of Rachel Cusk's Outline or Jhumpa Lahiri's The Lowland will relish Kitamura's exploration of identity, ambiguity, and the human condition. Ideal for those drawn to sophisticated literary fiction.

In Intimacies, an unnamed narrator working as a language interpreter for the World Court in The Hague grapples with moral ambiguities within the diplomatic world while also dealing with personal grief and a complex romantic relationship with a married man. The story explores love, secrecy, and the blurred boundaries that define human connections.

Mysterious / Contemplative / Unnerving / Melancholic / Emotional

- Intimacies was longlisted for the 2021 National Book Award for Fiction, solidifying Kitamura's reputation as a masterful contemporary novelist.
- Katie Kitamura's background as the daughter of a translator plays into the novel's exploration of language, communication, and cultural mediation.
- Kitamura explores themes of identity and belonging throughout her work, which resonates strongly in Intimacies, reflecting on the complexities of human connections within global cities.

**NARRATOR**  
An introspective language interpreter working at an international court in The Hague, who struggles with emotional detachment and the complexities of her personal and professional life.

**ADRIAAN**  
The narrator's love interest and connection in The Hague, whose complex relationship with the narrator is influenced by his marriage and family ties.

**JANA**  
The narrator's friend and an art museum curator in The Hague, who plays a key role in advancing the plot and acts as a foil to the narrator's guarded nature.

**ANTON DE RIJIK**  
The victim of a mugging who owns a bookshop and becomes intertwined with the narrator's life following a violent attack outside Jana's apartment.

**THE DEPOSED PRESIDENT**  
A character on trial at the international court where the narrator works, based on a former leader accused of war crimes, whose trial challenges the narrator's sense of morality.

Katie Kitamura

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Intimacies reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Intimacies | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Intimacies and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Intimacies Summary and Study Guide

Background

Intimacies Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Intimacies Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 4-7

Intimacies Chapters 4-7 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 8-11

Intimacies Chapters 8-11 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 12-16

Intimacies Chapters 12-16 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Intimacies Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Intimacies Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Intimacies Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Intimacies Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Intimacies Essay Topics

Intimacies

Before You Read

Super Short Summary

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Intimacies?

Reading Age

Book Details