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adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
fast-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
"There was no straddling the line; he knew that now. No stepping back and forth between the two worlds, no seeing and not seeing, no holding a hand over one eye or the other like a child playing a game. You were either part of this institution, one of the bricks that held it up, or you weren't".
I started and paused this earlier this year as life and work took my focus, and recently restarted whilst on holiday - I am so pleased with my decision and it gave me a reset of the brilliant Babel. As a Canontese speaker, born in a British Colony - this book really hits.
The plot has been well discussed, so I won't go into this too much, but this sub 600 word book packs so much; annotations which led me down side quests, sardonic comments left by Kuang on the eccentricity of language...and the origins of corned beef 😂 😂 😂
As a Speech and Language Therapist, I adored the additional info about how language formed, evolves and the power it shifts in culture, society and memories. The connection between language and monetary value was really interesting, and one which gave much food for thought. Esp as Kuang artfully makes the connection to from language-commodity of the Empire.
I love Robin, Ramy, Victoire and Griffin. My heart ached for young Robin as he yearned to learn the language of the social hierarchy at Oxford, his ongoing seeking of a family, and belonging - as everyone who has ever felt othered will understand. I can see myself in some of his assimilations, responses and longing for acceptance. There are many references which felt familiar and I know this will be the best book I read for a while.
Kuang has artfully embedded the intricate nature of white supremacy within her novel and created the best Karen in Letty, I have read so far.
Memorable quotes:
"If they're going to tell stories about you, use it to your advantage"
"How this country, who citizens prided themselves so much on being better than the rest of the world, could not make it through an afternoon tea without borrowed goods."
"Languages aren't just made of words. Their modes of looking at the world. They're the keys to civilisation. And that's knowledge worth killing for"
"They could no longer look at the world and not see stories, histories, layered everywhere like centuries worth of sediment"
"It would seem a great paradox, the fact that after everything they had told Letty, all the pain they had shared, she was the one who needed comfort".
I started and paused this earlier this year as life and work took my focus, and recently restarted whilst on holiday - I am so pleased with my decision and it gave me a reset of the brilliant Babel. As a Canontese speaker, born in a British Colony - this book really hits.
The plot has been well discussed, so I won't go into this too much, but this sub 600 word book packs so much; annotations which led me down side quests, sardonic comments left by Kuang on the eccentricity of language...and the origins of corned beef 😂 😂 😂
As a Speech and Language Therapist, I adored the additional info about how language formed, evolves and the power it shifts in culture, society and memories. The connection between language and monetary value was really interesting, and one which gave much food for thought. Esp as Kuang artfully makes the connection to from language-commodity of the Empire.
I love Robin, Ramy, Victoire and Griffin. My heart ached for young Robin as he yearned to learn the language of the social hierarchy at Oxford, his ongoing seeking of a family, and belonging - as everyone who has ever felt othered will understand. I can see myself in some of his assimilations, responses and longing for acceptance. There are many references which felt familiar and I know this will be the best book I read for a while.
Kuang has artfully embedded the intricate nature of white supremacy within her novel and created the best Karen in Letty, I have read so far.
Memorable quotes:
"If they're going to tell stories about you, use it to your advantage"
"How this country, who citizens prided themselves so much on being better than the rest of the world, could not make it through an afternoon tea without borrowed goods."
"Languages aren't just made of words. Their modes of looking at the world. They're the keys to civilisation. And that's knowledge worth killing for"
"They could no longer look at the world and not see stories, histories, layered everywhere like centuries worth of sediment"
"It would seem a great paradox, the fact that after everything they had told Letty, all the pain they had shared, she was the one who needed comfort".