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A review by joshkiba13
Babel by R.F. Kuang
informative
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
I reeaaallly wish I'd not also been swamped with school as I read this. It seriously would have been a 10 to 14 day read had I not had (literallly) 900-1,000 pages of assigned school readings for the quarter. Still, Babel takes place over several years at Oxford University, so having it be an intermittent and prolonged delight had its own charms, in a way.
I loved this book. It was my by first R. F. Kuang, and it was so atmospheric and immersive (again, maybe it helped that I was also in school, lol). I loved the chapters watching Robin grow up and question his relationship with his guardian and with Britain as a whole. My Race and American history course happened to touch on the Opium Wars between Britain and China as I was reading this, and we talked a lot about colonialism in general too, so lots of crossover haha.
As someone who has learned a second language, I was soo intrigued by the translation-based magic system, and I loved all the notes and explanations of different translations and lost meanings. It was all such a clever concept.
Absolutely adored Robin's relationship with Ramy, Victoire, and Letty, his cohort at Oxford. Beyond the academia portion of the novel, it explored some heavy concepts about imperialism, race, rebellion, and power. The ending surprised me, and left me with powerful things go consider. Even though the story takes place in the mid 1800s, many of the moral quandaries remain as relevant today as they did back then.
Again, I wish I could have absorbed the story more regularly, but I really have no gripes about the book. It was a 5/5, and was would be a special treat for anyone who speaks two languages, is an immigrant, or a POC. Which reminds me, knowing the author is Chinese American, it added another level of depth to Robin, since I assume R. F. Kuang poured many of her own experiences into Robin's story. Great stuff :))
I loved this book. It was my by first R. F. Kuang, and it was so atmospheric and immersive (again, maybe it helped that I was also in school, lol). I loved the chapters watching Robin grow up and question his relationship with his guardian and with Britain as a whole. My Race and American history course happened to touch on the Opium Wars between Britain and China as I was reading this, and we talked a lot about colonialism in general too, so lots of crossover haha.
As someone who has learned a second language, I was soo intrigued by the translation-based magic system, and I loved all the notes and explanations of different translations and lost meanings. It was all such a clever concept.
Absolutely adored Robin's relationship with Ramy, Victoire, and Letty, his cohort at Oxford. Beyond the academia portion of the novel, it explored some heavy concepts about imperialism, race, rebellion, and power. The ending surprised me, and left me with powerful things go consider. Even though the story takes place in the mid 1800s, many of the moral quandaries remain as relevant today as they did back then.
Again, I wish I could have absorbed the story more regularly, but I really have no gripes about the book. It was a 5/5, and was would be a special treat for anyone who speaks two languages, is an immigrant, or a POC. Which reminds me, knowing the author is Chinese American, it added another level of depth to Robin, since I assume R. F. Kuang poured many of her own experiences into Robin's story. Great stuff :))
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Torture, and Death of parent
Minor: Bullying, Racial slurs, Racism, and Blood