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lucyatoz'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
It tells the story of four young adults, Robin, Victoire, Ramy and Lettie, as they come together as the 1st year cohort at the Oxford University's Royal Institute of Translation in 1836, as they each have amazing talents when it comes to learning languages that can be used for the benefit of the British Empire, regardless of the cost for them and those they love and care about.
It is a big and ambitious novel tackling big topics although it starts off quite slowly, but when the group come together, the action starts apace and takes you on a fantastical journey, which, at times, I could not tell was real or imaginary.
I borrowed a copy of this book from Taunton Library and listened to it on BorrowBox. I read this for prompt 26, hybrid genre, for the 52 Book Club Reading Challenge 2024.
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Moderate: Blood, Vomit, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic
discocaptain'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
4.25
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, Medical content, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
genorgana's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, and Classism
bugsybugs'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? No
5.0
Minor: Death, Misogyny, Racism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Colonisation, and Classism
jiwiz's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
I'd describe this book in one sentence as a very loud 'Fuck you' to western colonialism. I've seen people criticise how on-the-nose it is. It drives its point home in such a glaringly obvious way that it's impossible to misinterpret it. I think it definitely could stand to deliver its message in a more subtle, nuanced manner. That being said, it was a solid read. I think R.F. Kuang does a good job at writing less-than-perfect protagonists and the magic system is very fresh and unique.
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, Murder, and Colonisation
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood
psitstorrie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Colonisation
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Islamophobia, Death of parent, War, and Classism
neonskylite'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: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
Moderate: Child abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, and War
Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use
liafiles'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Sexual harassment
melodyseestrees'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? Yes
4.5
There are several characters that I wish had been explored more
It also would have been interesting to see the effects Britain was having on other places in addition to China, which may have helped cement each of our four main characters' motivations a bit better. We know explicitly that Robin and Ramy want to help their homelands but Victoire is a little unclear and Letty is Letty.
There is a really great quote about Letty and how her upbringing shapes her world:
The ending was unsatisfactory because of the epilogue.
Graphic: Child abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Colonisation
Moderate: Ableism, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Hate crime, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, Blood, Grief, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Death, Gun violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
We see body horror-esque violence precisely in one scene. There is a lot of blood-related description from that scene on.wordywashington'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
I don't think I've considered a book this much of a must-read in at least a decade. I'll elaborate further once I get my thoughts and emotions in order, but right now, I struggle to think of a more relevant and poignant fiction book to read in the current state of the world. Just...wow. Please read Babel.
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment