aisclaradm 's review for:

Babel by R.F. Kuang

5.0

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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: Yes

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I don’t say this lightly, but this is the best book I have ever read. A fascinating ode to languages, that  both discusses its exploitation by colonisers and uses it as a metaphor of sorts for the cruelty, evil and injustice of imperialism and capitalism. Beautiful story and a painfully relevant tale. Incredible. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, Classism

Moderate: Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Slavery, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, Cultural appropriation, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Cultural appropriation, Alcohol