"The first time that Christa Malone heard the name of Innokenti Isayeveich Falin it was spoken by the President of the United States, John F. Kennedy," is both the first sentence and the first paragraph of The Translator.
Christa, a high senior, is being received along with other young poets between the day's business and the Kennedy's leaving for an official function. The President and his lady are in full evening dress, and so glamorous that the First Lady's dress reminds the girl of the robes of an El Greco cardinal.
The President takes a little longer to speak with Christa than when any of the other young poets, commenting on the new poet from Russia. The moment inspires that last poem that Christa will write for many years, "What the Tiger Told Me."
Much later, older and wiser, Christa will wonder if the President sensed what she herself didn't yet know then: That she was pregnant.
Even later she will help the Russian poet make a rough, unrhymed translation of the poem he wrote on the plane coming to the US, which plays upon the fact that 1961, can, in many fonts, be flipped over and remain the same year date.
It will be a fulcrum year, not just for her, or for the Russian poet, but for the world: It is the year of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and Christa's father, who has never had much to say about is job, will be one of the faceless players in a chess match which must be a draw for both sides, or the outcome will be the death of millions.
(to be continued)