Mistranslation by Madeleine Moss is a thoughtful and emotionally layered literary novel about family, identity, friendship, and the misunderstandings that can shape our lives. Set in upstate New York in 2001, the story follows nine-year-old twins Sabina and Camilla as they grow up alongside a French Algerian family that moves into their neighborhood. When Sabina becomes fascinated by the family’s son, Khalil, an unexpected connection begins that continues to influence all three characters as they grow older. Spanning years and continents, the novel explores family relationships, cultural identity, love, loss, and the lasting impact of choices made during childhood.
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About the Book
Mistranslation is Madeleine Moss’s debut novel and follows the complicated lives of twin sisters Sabina and Camilla and their neighbor Khalil.
The story begins in 2001, when the nine-year-old twins live with their unpredictable mother in upstate New York. Sabina becomes particularly interested in their new neighbors, an Arab French family, because she believes their arrival may help her understand more about her own French heritage and her absent father.
As Sabina, Camilla, and Khalil grow older, their childhood friendship develops into a complicated relationship shaped by attraction, jealousy, family secrets, and personal struggles. Their different personalities and experiences lead them down separate paths, but their lives continue to intersect in unexpected ways.
With its focus on family, cultural identity, sisterhood, and the difficulty of truly understanding other people, Mistranslation offers an intimate and engaging coming-of-age story.
Book Information
- Book Title: Mistranslation
- Author: Madeleine Moss
- Genre: Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Family Fiction
- Format: Novel
- Publisher: University of Iowa Press
- Publication Date: September 22, 2026
- Pages: 334
Why Read Mistranslation?
If you enjoy literary fiction, coming-of-age stories, family drama, complicated relationships, and character-driven novels, Mistranslation is a great choice.
The novel explores how childhood experiences can influence adulthood and how family history, cultural background, and personal choices can shape relationships. Its multiple perspectives also give readers different views of the same relationships and events.
About Madeleine Moss
Madeleine Moss is a fiction writer and the author of Mistranslation, her debut novel. She studied French literature at Cornell University and earned an MFA in fiction from Washington University in St. Louis. She lives in Strasbourg, France.
Her writing explores family relationships, identity, cultural connections, and the complicated ways people understand one another.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote Mistranslation?
Madeleine Moss.
What is Mistranslation about?
It follows twin sisters Sabina and Camilla and their neighbor Khalil as their childhood connection develops into a complicated relationship over the years.
What genre is the book?
Literary fiction and coming-of-age fiction.
When was it published?
September 22, 2026.
Is Mistranslation Madeleine Moss’s debut novel?
Yes, it is her debut novel.
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