Scan barcode
wietse111's review against another edition
5.0
Ergens tussen fantasy en historische fictie in, speelt dit boek zich af in Oxford in het begin van de industriële revolutie. De wereld draait op een heel interessante soort magie, gebaseerd op vertalingen en zilver. De hoofdpersoon is uit China meegenomen om in Oxford te leren over en later bij te dragen aan het zilverwerken.
Van een verhaal over zn studietijd wordt het al snel steeds meer een verhaal over kolonialisme, revolutie en antikoloniaal geweld. Dat verhaal wordt niet bijster subtiel, maar wel heel krachtig verteld.
Verder gewoon een heel goed geschreven boek: spannend, de magie is tof, de semi non-fictie stukken over taal zijn interessant en de karakters blijven hangen.
Van een verhaal over zn studietijd wordt het al snel steeds meer een verhaal over kolonialisme, revolutie en antikoloniaal geweld. Dat verhaal wordt niet bijster subtiel, maar wel heel krachtig verteld.
Verder gewoon een heel goed geschreven boek: spannend, de magie is tof, de semi non-fictie stukken over taal zijn interessant en de karakters blijven hangen.
tealeaf_library's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
5.0
hpepperstone's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
hannahhaw89's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
hannie241's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
sadiesullivan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.75
lisalou832's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
5.0
spinebreaker_101's review against another edition
5.0
For all the words that exist in the plethora of languages, and despite the lessons on etymology grâce à Robin’s POV, it remains a struggle to find one appropriate to describe this book. There is no match-pair.
It doesn’t even feel suitable to refer to Babel as a mere book. It goes beyond its tangible form, perhaps solidifying its stance more as a journey than anything else of material shape.
Since starting Babel, I knew I quickly loved it but I didn’t understand why others would.
The contents of this book really scratched my brain in the right way through meshing together the study of international relations, languages, and history in a world propelled by an element of fantasy. In short, things that I’ve passionately studied and that interest me.
However, it’s not at all what I expected and, frankly, I think the small percentage of negative reviews from chronic booktok girlies is due to these differing expectations. Whilst Babel adheres itself to the fantasy genre and the world building is supported by fantasy components, it’s very much also built on historical fiction and the very real discourse of different experience and interactions with colonialism/post colonialism. That is not to say it is boring at all. For me it was a perfect read, but others may find it hard to get through if they’re expecting a very heavy fantasy-oriented book and plot.
Would this fall under dark academia? Yes, though it shouldn’t be boiled down to such confines, and not something that represents an aesthetic at that. Though it goes without saying that this is highly recommended for those who enjoy similar themes.
Though I knew this would end in a Frantz Fanon-esque fashion, I thought the motive behind the characters’ actions and behaviours was so proportionate and deeply justified, albeit not predictable in its entirety.
R.F. Kuang is just as brilliant as she is insane for making such a masterpiece.
It doesn’t even feel suitable to refer to Babel as a mere book. It goes beyond its tangible form, perhaps solidifying its stance more as a journey than anything else of material shape.
Since starting Babel, I knew I quickly loved it but I didn’t understand why others would.
The contents of this book really scratched my brain in the right way through meshing together the study of international relations, languages, and history in a world propelled by an element of fantasy. In short, things that I’ve passionately studied and that interest me.
However, it’s not at all what I expected and, frankly, I think the small percentage of negative reviews from chronic booktok girlies is due to these differing expectations. Whilst Babel adheres itself to the fantasy genre and the world building is supported by fantasy components, it’s very much also built on historical fiction and the very real discourse of different experience and interactions with colonialism/post colonialism. That is not to say it is boring at all. For me it was a perfect read, but others may find it hard to get through if they’re expecting a very heavy fantasy-oriented book and plot.
Would this fall under dark academia? Yes, though it shouldn’t be boiled down to such confines, and not something that represents an aesthetic at that. Though it goes without saying that this is highly recommended for those who enjoy similar themes.
Though I knew this would end in a Frantz Fanon-esque fashion, I thought the motive behind the characters’ actions and behaviours was so proportionate and deeply justified, albeit not predictable in its entirety.
R.F. Kuang is just as brilliant as she is insane for making such a masterpiece.