"The Extinction of Irena Rey" by Jennifer Croft is a mesmerizing and thought-provoking novel that explores the world of translation, art, and the enigmatic disappearance of a renowned author.

The story revolves around eight translators from different countries who gather at a remote house in the Polish forest to translate Irena Rey's magnum opus, "Gray Eminence." However, their mission takes an unexpected turn when Irena vanishes without a trace. As they delve deeper into the forest and Irena's mysterious past, they uncover secrets and deceptions that challenge their reverence for the author.

Jennifer Croft's writing is nothing short of brilliant. Her prose is rich and immersive, drawing readers into the lush and primeval forest setting. The descriptions of the natural world, from slime molds to lichens, are vivid and captivating, adding a layer of enchantment to the narrative.

The novel explores themes of art, celebrity, the power of language, and the relationship between author and translator. It delves into the complexities of translation, how it can be both an act of love and a source of tension among the translators. The characters are beautifully developed, each with their own quirks and perspectives, and their interactions drive the narrative forward.

One of the novel's strengths is its exploration of the blurred lines between reality and fiction, and the way it challenges the notion of authorship and ownership of stories. It keeps readers guessing and questioning throughout the story.

As the translators become increasingly entangled in their search for Irena Rey, the novel takes on a sense of paranoia and obsession. The tension builds, and readers are kept on the edge of their seats, eager to unravel the mysteries surrounding Irena and her work.

"The Extinction of Irena Rey" is a unique and unforgettable literary adventure that combines elements of mystery, surrealism, and intellectual exploration. Jennifer Croft's debut novel is a testament to the power of language and storytelling, and it will leave readers contemplating its themes long after they've turned the final page. It's a must-read for those who appreciate literary fiction that challenges conventions and leaves a lasting impact.

An original, fascinating tale about... translators! This novel was exciting, if you allow yourself to fall into the adventure of it all. I can't say I've read anything quite like this (maybe Sheila Heti's last novel?). Thanks to the publisher for the e-galley!

This intricately woven novel presents a challenging narrative, delving into the intricate journey of a diverse group of international translators summoned by their revered author to her secluded residence in the remote woodlands of northeastern Poland in 2017. However, their excitement is short-lived, as the author promptly abandons them, leaving them to embark on the translation of her latest work while grappling with the mystery surrounding Irena. Is she a victim of foul play, a captive, a recluse, a source of ridicule, an enigma to be dissected, an experiment, or a form of punishment?

As the story unfolds, it explores the evolving relationships between these translators, their enigmatic surroundings within the captivating forest, their dedication to their craft, and their vanished mentor. The narrative is narrated through the perspective of one of the translators, a young Argentinian woman, who observes the growing chasm between herself and her fellow colleagues as they gradually unveil the layers of Irena's complex character.

The characters in the story are meticulously portrayed, drawing readers into their captivating struggles, both together and apart. Additionally, the novel seamlessly weaves in real-world political and environmental events, enriching the narrative. Ultimately, this is a mystical and psychosocial journey that challenges readers to explore the depths of human connections and the enigmatic forces that shape our lives.

DNF - The premise sounded interesting & I was eager to read this, so I started right away. Unfortunately, I didn't find the narrative style very engaging & I struggled to motivate myself to return. I might come back to this one in the future as it really did pique my interest. Ultimately, for now, we just did not gel well.

*** Note: I will not be posting a review for this book on Goodreads since I didn't make it through a good portion of the text. The three-star rating on NetGalley is solely because I'm forced by the system to leave a rating. ***

DNF @ 20%. I hate DNF'ing books, especially ARCs, but this one is just not at all for me. I didn't care for the writing style and found the narrative confusing. I also didn't particularly enjoy the fact that the translators are all called by their language names (and, in the same vein, the “Our Author” stuff was grating, too). I didn't feel that the characters had much going on personality-wise, and I think that the naming issue was part of it. It's a great premise and I'm sure that there are lots of readers who will love this book – the setting especially is fantastic – but unfortunately I'm not the intended audience for this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.