Take a photo of a barcode or cover
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I like the concept, I like the writing, I like the plot.
I really enjoyed the first third, because the theory behind translation is interesting to me. (I would have liked more in depth discussions of those parts, but I realise this book is not the place for that!)
What I'm struggling with are two things:
One, the silver/magic/translation system felt not as fleshed out as I would have liked. Maybe I was looking for too much, and it isn't necessary for the story, but I was missing something concrete about it.
Secondly, I read somewhere (referring to Yellowface) that Kuang would be a phenomenal writer if she trusted her readers a bit more. There were definitely parts in Babel where I felt that; Kuang tends to spell out the points she makes to an extent that can almost feel belittling.
Babel is first and foremost about colonialism and how its horrors disproportionately affect people of colour. It made me consider aspects I hadn't thought about before, it evoked empathy and anger and frustration in me.
It did all this without explicitly saying "Colonialism is bad". And it still did say this! In almost those exact words, but no less obvious.
Still, great book, would definitely recommend.
I really enjoyed the first third, because the theory behind translation is interesting to me. (I would have liked more in depth discussions of those parts, but I realise this book is not the place for that!)
What I'm struggling with are two things:
One, the silver/magic/translation system felt not as fleshed out as I would have liked. Maybe I was looking for too much, and it isn't necessary for the story, but I was missing something concrete about it.
Secondly, I read somewhere (referring to Yellowface) that Kuang would be a phenomenal writer if she trusted her readers a bit more. There were definitely parts in Babel where I felt that; Kuang tends to spell out the points she makes to an extent that can almost feel belittling.
Babel is first and foremost about colonialism and how its horrors disproportionately affect people of colour. It made me consider aspects I hadn't thought about before, it evoked empathy and anger and frustration in me.
It did all this without explicitly saying "Colonialism is bad". And it still did say this! In almost those exact words, but no less obvious.
Still, great book, would definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Racism, Torture, Violence, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, War, Classism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent
Minor: Toxic friendship