The Interpreter (review)

One would not expect a book heavily based on a novel to be a credible historical work, but in The Interpreter Alice Kaplan does a remarkable job of documenting a difficult and troubling period in the history of race relations in the US Army. She accomplishes this feat because of her thorough research involving military records and other primary source material, oral interviews, and her ability to grasp the workings of the army in France during the period 1944-1946.

Kaplan's book tells the story of Louis Guilloux, a French writer who for a short period in 1944 worked for the US Army as a translator. Guilloux was himself the author of OK, Joe, published in France in 1976 after 12 years of work. Guilloux translated for a capital case involving an African American soldier who was found guilty and executed. Looking at the case through the eyes of the soldier, lawyers, and Guilloux, Kaplan is able to show that the evidence against the soldier was weak and that the execution was not justified. Guilloux was involved with another case involving a white officer, a combat hero also accused of murder. Here the evidence against him was strong, but better legal counsel led to an acquittal. Kaplan believes that race was a determining factor, and she illustrates how much the issue of race entered into the picture. The fact that the white officer's record was outstanding and that his lawyer was more experienced and skillful than the one defending the African American weakens her comparison somewhat, but her position is strong nonetheless. In an ironic twist of fate, the excellent prosecutor in the case involving the African American became the excellent defense attorney for the white officer.

Along with the discussions of these two cases comes a fascinating analysis of soldiers, lawyers, commanders, and racial conditions in the Brittany area of France after the Normandy invasion, much of which is described in Guilloux's book. For example, African Americans had to deal with the negative impact of racism and segregation, both in their state-side training camps and in the operational theater. One indicator of the conditions Kaplan documents is the racial disparity in the sentencing of whites and blacks in Europe, especially for capital crimes.

As would be expected from a professor of Literature and History at Duke University, Kaplan researches and writes well in creating a powerful book; it is gripping because of the subject matter and her handling of it. Her references consist of valuable trial records and oral histories from descendants, relatives, and friends of all parties involved. As much as possible, she provides an analysis of the individual personalities, including those charged, court officials, lawyers, witnesses, and commanders. Throughout the book, we get a sense of knowing real human beings dealing with genuine issues. Alice Kaplan successfully demonstrates that during this period racial conditions, trial location, and lawyer selection were important in determining the resolution of trials of service troops in the US Army.