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embetweenpages 's review for:
Babel: An Arcane History
by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Complicated
It’s taken me literal months to unpack how I felt and I’m still not over it 😆 so here we go!
If you’re ready to be emotionally gutted, enjoy! This is such an incredible piece of literature just based on premise alone. It makes you think- omg it makes you think. The author has an incredible way of writing and truly knocked it out of the park. Rebecca tackles such huge topics without explicitly stating it in my opinion and that is what makes her writing so powerful because I kept having these moments of “why would anyone let this happen this is so mes——-OH. Mm yes… ok. And now I’m mad”
It feels doomed from the beginning because of the systemic…everything of it all? And it doesn’t get a whole lot better. It’s sinister yet encouraging. Just when you think you see a silver lining, you just get a solid punch to the gut.
The approach to language and words as a whole is just mind boggling. As a person who is not linguistically gifted, Rebecca writes so beautifully and with so much respect for language. She really explores meaning and the cultures carried through the evolution of single words. It’s just a tragic love letter in its own way.
Do I think I’d reread it? I’d love to but I don’t think I’m strong enough.
Once again, R.F. Kuang delivers and I’m laying on the ground praying for relief that just won’t come.
If you’re ready to be emotionally gutted, enjoy! This is such an incredible piece of literature just based on premise alone. It makes you think- omg it makes you think. The author has an incredible way of writing and truly knocked it out of the park. Rebecca tackles such huge topics without explicitly stating it in my opinion and that is what makes her writing so powerful because I kept having these moments of “why would anyone let this happen this is so mes——-OH. Mm yes… ok. And now I’m mad”
It feels doomed from the beginning because of the systemic…everything of it all? And it doesn’t get a whole lot better. It’s sinister yet encouraging. Just when you think you see a silver lining, you just get a solid punch to the gut.
The approach to language and words as a whole is just mind boggling. As a person who is not linguistically gifted, Rebecca writes so beautifully and with so much respect for language. She really explores meaning and the cultures carried through the evolution of single words. It’s just a tragic love letter in its own way.
Do I think I’d reread it? I’d love to but I don’t think I’m strong enough.
Once again, R.F. Kuang delivers and I’m laying on the ground praying for relief that just won’t come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, Colonisation