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A review by sleepybythelake
Babel. Una storia arcana by R.F. Kuang
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Well, friends... it's almost 2 am and I did cry a little. I think I need at least a night's sleep to collect my thoughts.
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
As a linguistic and cultural mediation major myself, I was intrigued by the premise of this book and lots of things explained were concepts I was taught. I love to get to know the etymology of words, it is something that fascinates me.
I read this in translation, and as the translator pointed out before the beginning of the story, I knew some parts wouldn't give the original justice, but after all translation is always an act of betrayal in a way or another, so I knew what I was getting myself into. That said, I have seen some parts in English and although by the time I finished the book I knew I wanted to read it again, to understand some passages better, I also realised that that rereading will have to be done in English.
Storywise it had its ups and downs. Sometimes things would drag on more than necessary and as someone else said, this book does indeed feel like a 'tell rather than show'. I can't really say I related to the characters 100% (though is that really that relevant? Perhaps not) and sometimes they felt flat. There is definitely something missing.
I was torn between giving this 4.25 or 4.5. For now I will leave it at 4.5, upon a reread I might change my mind.
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
As a linguistic and cultural mediation major myself, I was intrigued by the premise of this book and lots of things explained were concepts I was taught. I love to get to know the etymology of words, it is something that fascinates me.
I read this in translation, and as the translator pointed out before the beginning of the story, I knew some parts wouldn't give the original justice, but after all translation is always an act of betrayal in a way or another, so I knew what I was getting myself into. That said, I have seen some parts in English and although by the time I finished the book I knew I wanted to read it again, to understand some passages better, I also realised that that rereading will have to be done in English.
Storywise it had its ups and downs. Sometimes things would drag on more than necessary and as someone else said, this book does indeed feel like a 'tell rather than show'. I can't really say I related to the characters 100% (though is that really that relevant? Perhaps not) and sometimes they felt flat. There is definitely something missing.
I was torn between giving this 4.25 or 4.5. For now I will leave it at 4.5, upon a reread I might change my mind.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Murder, Racism, Physical abuse, Torture, Death of parent, Suicide, Child abuse, Colonisation, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Misogyny
Moderate: Xenophobia and Classism
Minor: Suicide attempt, War, and Slavery