“Every act of communication is, in some way, an act of translation,” explains Gregory Rabassa, author of If This Be Treason: Translation and Its dyscontents.   As one of the most celebrated American translators, Rabassa offers a unique perspective to the craft of communicating across lingual and cultural barriers.  However, this memoir, which details his fascinating life, also provides insight into the valuable skill of understanding others and comprehending meaning and subtext.

We’re reading this book this month for a couple of reasons. First, I hope to get a unique perspective of the world that will give us insight and skills to help us communicate more effectively. Just as importantly, it’s an enjoyable read and includes a glimpse into some of the most influential writers of our time.