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Reviews tagging 'Drug use'
Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution by R.F. Kuang
328 reviews
booksjessreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book is an absolute marvel. It is completely astonishing. The characters are so human, fully dimensional and uniquely complex. The story: devastating. But, anything that is about empire and colonialism is. Kuang has such incredible skill at interweaving themes of empire, colonialism, racism, religion, gender and so many more themes. Sometimes, I came across sentences that put the themes and topics so well that I physically could not think of a way to rephrase things. Her style is just so clever and intricate and nuanced. Simply brilliant.
This book is also incredibly emotional. There are characters in this book that felt like friends of mine and I haven't felt this close to characters in a book for a long time. They feel so real and they are written so exquisitely. Furthermore, Robin as an unreliable narrator just adds to the appeal of reading it for me. An unreliable narrator is one of my favourite things about a book, and this was executed so well.
Babel is just a complete masterpiece. I write a lot of reviews with the mindset of 'how could what I write do this book any justice'. But I mean that from the bottom of my heart writing this review. This book is essential and so cleverly crafted. One of my favourite books of all time.
Graphic: Colonisation, Violence, Death, Racial slurs, Sexism, and Racism
Moderate: War, Child abuse, Death of parent, Slavery, Murder, and Drug use
penofpossibilities's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Violence, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Racial slurs, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Blood, Sexism, Murder, Death of parent, Death, Cultural appropriation, Ableism, Xenophobia, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Gun violence, Colonisation, Classism, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Grief, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, and Hate crime
Moderate: Addiction, Vomit, Islamophobia, Genocide, Gore, Infidelity, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug abuse, Slavery, Pandemic/Epidemic, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Child death, and War
carlapastor's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Also, I don't think it was ever dense. This is one of those books that just make you want to keep reading. If I'm honest, I hope next time I read it it's not before bed, because I just can't put it down.
One of the few 5 stars I've read in my life.
Graphic: Drug abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Cursing, Racial slurs, Slavery, Colonisation, Drug use, Murder, Sexism, War, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction
annamary54's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Colonisation, Blood, Death of parent, Gore, Racial slurs, Racism, Body horror, Child abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, Police brutality, Slavery, Toxic friendship, Xenophobia, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, War, Hate crime, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Suicide
nie_fertig's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I don't want to spoil anymore, but it's absolutely worth the read and I will say here and now ROBIN X RAMY !!! 🥺🥺🥺
Graphic: Torture, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Murder, Misogyny, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death, Sexism, Colonisation, Drug use, and Death of parent
beckyvh523's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Moderate: Misogyny, Death, Cultural appropriation, and Racism
Minor: Racial slurs, Abandonment, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Gun violence, Deportation, and Death of parent
quinn24's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Medical content, Blood, Alcohol, Child abuse, Classism, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Racism, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Drug use, Addiction, Cursing, Drug abuse, and Vomit
mr_ryancowboy's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Colonisation, Xenophobia, Violence, Grief, Racism, Murder, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Misogyny, Blood, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Slavery, and Physical abuse
Minor: Addiction, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Drug use
samugranjo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Colonisation, Classism, Murder, Grief, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Toxic friendship, War, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Islamophobia, Misogyny, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Child abuse, Bullying, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Drug use, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, and Sexism
Minor: Confinement, Alcohol, Blood, Addiction, and Genocide
folkofthebook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
however, i can see how some readers don't like the second half as it slows down in action, but underneath it's an emotional build.
i think overall this is a very solid addition to dark academia. honestly still processing that last 10% 😭
def check TWs
Graphic: Gun violence, Classism, Alcohol, Colonisation, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Racial slurs, Torture, Racism, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Xenophobia, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and War
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Addiction