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A review by nouriareads
Babel by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
With only one book R.F. Kuang joins my fav authors!
I have only a few issues with Babel. The pacing is uneven: it’s gripping in the beginning and as things unravel, but the middle drags. Although the footnotes were interesting, some were long (even unnecessary or should’ve been integrated into the text) which pulled me out and made the book denser than it already is.
I felt so many things while reading this book. Outraged (but not surprised) by white people’s audacity, endeared by Robin and Ramy’s friendship, intrigued by the translation theories and their ties to colonialism, and tense during the climax. R.F. Kuang made me go THROUGH it 😭
It’s an exceptionally well-crafted and researched book. Analysing colonialism through the lens of language and translation is original and fascinating; it was an opportunity for the author to flex her degree, as she should!! It was amazing to see the characters nerd out about translation, languages and silver-working. It seems that there are inappropriate expectations for the magic system: Babel is not high fantasy. Silver-working is a light magic system even if the theory behind it is complex.
Colonialism and the need for violence to resist it are very relevant subjects. Babel does an excellent job of dissecting how a colonial empire operates, depicting how racism can be insidious, and how different people can serve the revolution at their level. We are for the liberation of all oppressed people on this account. I think a lot of people will resonate with Robin’s journey from turning a blind eye to Britain’s imperialist purpose, to seeing the effects on his people and deciding whether he can continue to be a part of it. He goes through an amazing character arc with the help of great side characters.
I think Babel is a must-read, but only if it sounds intriguing despite the density, slow pace and light magic system because it’s not a book I would recommend to everyone!!
I have only a few issues with Babel. The pacing is uneven: it’s gripping in the beginning and as things unravel, but the middle drags. Although the footnotes were interesting, some were long (even unnecessary or should’ve been integrated into the text) which pulled me out and made the book denser than it already is.
I felt so many things while reading this book. Outraged (but not surprised) by white people’s audacity, endeared by Robin and Ramy’s friendship, intrigued by the translation theories and their ties to colonialism, and tense during the climax. R.F. Kuang made me go THROUGH it 😭
It’s an exceptionally well-crafted and researched book. Analysing colonialism through the lens of language and translation is original and fascinating; it was an opportunity for the author to flex her degree, as she should!! It was amazing to see the characters nerd out about translation, languages and silver-working. It seems that there are inappropriate expectations for the magic system: Babel is not high fantasy. Silver-working is a light magic system even if the theory behind it is complex.
Colonialism and the need for violence to resist it are very relevant subjects. Babel does an excellent job of dissecting how a colonial empire operates, depicting how racism can be insidious, and how different people can serve the revolution at their level. We are for the liberation of all oppressed people on this account. I think a lot of people will resonate with Robin’s journey from turning a blind eye to Britain’s imperialist purpose, to seeing the effects on his people and deciding whether he can continue to be a part of it. He goes through an amazing character arc with the help of great side characters.
I think Babel is a must-read, but only if it sounds intriguing despite the density, slow pace and light magic system because it’s not a book I would recommend to everyone!!