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A review by jhbandcats
Babel by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.5
The scholarship behind this book is astounding. I wish I knew a quarter of what Rebecca Kuang knows about languages and history.
Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy for her to impart that knowledge and the first third of the book is too didactic. The story speeds up considerably when we’re focused on Robin and his cohort, and their scholarly exploits.
I was repeatedly surprised that offhand comments about people and events were based on what had actually happened. The merchants in Canton, the Chinese commissioner, the 20,000 barrels of opium (without quite as much theater) - all were true. The Rebecca Riots, Peterloo - all repeated instances of England crushing the lower classes. And all the etymologies were real, nothing made up to fit the plot.
I really liked this book and am looking forward to reading The Poppy War trilogy sometime. For alternate histories, this one is superb.
Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy for her to impart that knowledge and the first third of the book is too didactic. The story speeds up considerably when we’re focused on Robin and his cohort, and their scholarly exploits.
I was repeatedly surprised that offhand comments about people and events were based on what had actually happened. The merchants in Canton, the Chinese commissioner, the 20,000 barrels of opium (without quite as much theater) - all were true. The Rebecca Riots, Peterloo - all repeated instances of England crushing the lower classes. And all the etymologies were real, nothing made up to fit the plot.
I really liked this book and am looking forward to reading The Poppy War trilogy sometime. For alternate histories, this one is superb.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, and Classism