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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
achei que seriam 3 estrelas até um pouco depois da metade, mas depois da loira ter feito Aquilo fiquei com raiva o bastante para querer continuar. o fim era inevitável, mas a construção foi bem bonita. as últimas cenas são ótimas.
algo que eu fiquei pasma foi o cuidado da autora com as notas de rodapé!
algo que eu fiquei pasma foi o cuidado da autora com as notas de rodapé!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
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:
Complicated
I appreciated the message of the book and found it in many ways representative of issues of concern in today's real world.
I did find the pace a bit slow. And the technical detail of the history of languages, while informative, was over the top for me and I found myself skimming over these long narratives.
The characters were diverse and seeing situations from their individual perspectives was something I did appreciate and enjoy.
I did find the pace a bit slow. And the technical detail of the history of languages, while informative, was over the top for me and I found myself skimming over these long narratives.
The characters were diverse and seeing situations from their individual perspectives was something I did appreciate and enjoy.
Este libro es como si estuviera vivo, debo darle estrellas porque es la forma de escribir una reseña pero en mi corazón no tiene. Me despido de forma triste de este libro.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A story about language set in Oxford has an irresistible appeal. While adopting a mostly realistic historical setting of the 1830s, there are some magical elements associated with the use of matching words on silver bars which help to improve the efficiency of all sorts of operations. The protagonist, Robin Swift, illegitimate son of Professor Lovell and a Chinese woman, is brought by his father from Canton to Oxford when his mother dies. The story takes shape when he goes to Oxford and meets up with Rami, an Indian, Victoire and Letty (girls, of course), all students at the Babel language institute. They are being trained as translators and their knowledge of unusual languages is critical as it serves as a major resource for the operation of the silver bars. The author takes advantage of the unusual group to address issues of racial prejudice and sexism which result in the exceptional solidarity of the little group. By chance, Robin encounters his half-brother, Griffin, who is a member of a secret society, Hermes, working to counter the negative impact of imperialism and colonialism which is abetted by Babel. With many exciting twists and turns the story follows the years of the students’ degree course at the institute, culminating in a trip to China. This does not go as planned and leads to the final showdown.
Apart from the story itself, I enjoyed the etymology and the footnotes of the author which were always illuminating. A light read with some points of reflection linked to the prejudice displayed.
pretentious academic setting. murder. betrayal. secret illegal society. morally gray characters. group of friends that implodes throughout the book but is briefly beautiful. slow descent into madness. corrupt politicians. uprisings. protests. devastation. i could not love a book more.