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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This book was written for white people. I'd wish it'd spend more time word building or establishing the characters than doing colonialist is bad 101. š®āšØ Also there's way too many characters. It would be nice to have a list or something.
That being said I did enjoy the characters for the most part.
In the beginning of the story Robin, the main character whose mother is Chinese and whose father is white (and also very racist towards Asian people) adopts a white name because "white people can't pronounce Chinese names". He tries to get as close to whiteness as he possibly can. As the story progresses, he chooses to identify as a Chinese. Exept his Chinese name isn't even mentioned. Like it makes sense for him to at least consider going by his Chinese name, especially considering that many Black and Brown Babel students kept their foreign names.
I also feel like Letty and Victorie being discriminated against for being women vs the boys being discriminated against for being POC wasn't explored enough. It feels like the boys have no idea what's going on.
I personally understand adopting the identity out of spite. So Babblers indentifying with their homelands because since they'll never be considered English they might as well.
That being said I did enjoy the characters for the most part.
In the beginning of the story Robin, the main character whose mother is Chinese and whose father is white (and also very racist towards Asian people) adopts a white name because "white people can't pronounce Chinese names". He tries to get as close to whiteness as he possibly can. As the story progresses, he chooses to identify as a Chinese. Exept his Chinese name isn't even mentioned. Like it makes sense for him to at least consider going by his Chinese name, especially considering that many Black and Brown Babel students kept their foreign names.
I also feel like Letty and Victorie being discriminated against for being women vs the boys being discriminated against for being POC wasn't explored enough. It feels like the boys have no idea what's going on.
I personally understand adopting the identity out of spite. So Babblers indentifying with their homelands because since they'll never be considered English they might as well.
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Interesting premise, but oh my god does it take long to pick up pace. Seriously, it took until like page 300 to speed up to a tolerable speed. The footnotes are an Interesting addition I quite like though.
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
A slow start with some predictable outcomes but a message and execution strong enough for the predictability to fall by the wayside of the reading experience. The research required to pull off a novel such as this must have been immense.
SPOILER: We love a story that realistically explores the struggle of organizing by for class consciousness and working-class solidarity against the heavy weight of imperialist oppression and the ruling class. Racism IS rooted in classism and Iām glad R.F Kuong is saying it with her full chest.
SPOILER: We love a story that realistically explores the struggle of organizing by for class consciousness and working-class solidarity against the heavy weight of imperialist oppression and the ruling class. Racism IS rooted in classism and Iām glad R.F Kuong is saying it with her full chest.
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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:
Complicated
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-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:
Complicated
an epic dark academia. the only thing holding it back from a full 5 stars is the pacing of the beginning, but once it finally gets moving, it will not let you go