Reviews - Babel | The StoryGraph

64.7k reviews for:

Babel

R.F. Kuang

4.34 AVERAGE

charmspeakers's review against another edition

4.0

emotional informative medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

hafertaler's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

As both a Fantasy reader, a culture and language student myself and someone that just LOVES a food etymological rabbit case this book is a treasure trove.

The MC is able to tell the story of being foreign and struggling in the new environment so well that in moments I forgot that I was a white privileged scholar myself. All characters are given time to develop and show themselves and what drives them, the blooming of a friendship is authentic and takes in account how ups and downs and opposite values are part of most friends groups. While all of the langue hints and explanations obviously taking a big part of the story writing, I thoroughly enjoyed how I believed the 4 unlikely friends to become a group that depends and trusts each other. And how any brittle this trust is and manages to gut very deep when broken regardless of reasoning.

This book should surely be part of educational curricula as it not only explains the British colonial times from a British yet foreign perspective, but also invites to view the world in words and to reflect on how globalisation might have started with words not weapons and slaves. At least not only with those...

emma_reards's review against another edition

4.25

challenging emotional informative mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This was such an interesting read, as its primary theme explored the negative aspects of British imperialism in the 1800s, but it was set in a fantasy setting that takes place primarily at Oxford.

I was initially drawn to this book due to the use of language and translation, and how it utilized translation as a form of magic to make the 1800s operate with much more modern technology. But, as you progress more and more throughout the book, you see how the main characters suffer from racial/gender inequality.

Content Warnings

la_biblio_fille's review against another edition

3.0

I'm conflicted about Babel; I respect and appreciate the messaging, but DANG is this a lengthy, verbose read. The verbosity makes sense in regards to the prestigious setting, but I found myself losing interest frequently and easily. I'm unsure if I'd give this one another read/listen, but I can also think of a few people that I'd recommend Babel to. Overall I'm giving 3 stars because I'm simultaneously confused about, affronted by, and in awe of this book.