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A review by morethanmylupus
Babel by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
This book is a triumph. It's an alternative history with some magical realism. It's a clear commentary on the colonialization of the world, the racism and greed behind it, and the impact it had on the local populations. Yes, it's long, but it's worth it.
The silver bars were the magical realism bit - but they were also an allegory on the way the resources of foreign lands, and their people, were exploited to further the continued aim of controlling even more countries and amassing even more wealth. As well as the way the empire was built on the backs of that exploitation - and could crumble when they were taken away.
The silver bars were the magical realism bit - but they were also an allegory on the way the resources of foreign lands, and their people, were exploited to further the continued aim of controlling even more countries and amassing even more wealth. As well as the way the empire was built on the backs of that exploitation - and could crumble when they were taken away.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Child abuse, Xenophobia, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Violence, Trafficking, and Gun violence