A review by dowleyrachel
Babel by R.F. Kuang

challenging dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

honestly, I'm still trying to gather my opinions about this book. When a book leaves me heavy and longing for more resolution, it's hard for me to parse out this intended emptiness from my feelings of "liking" the book.

It felt a little long, like the Robin's years at Oxford could have been consolidated, or perhaps his waffling to join the cause or not. Sometimes it felt like the etymology didn't need to be explained as much. Footnotes would've sufficed. On the other hand, I enjoyed the ways in which the central plot moved; from passing school and trying to fit in to covering a murder to stopping a war to trying to bring the British Empire to screeching halt. I appreciated the complexity of the characters, how when there were fissures in the resistance, there wasn't necessarily one "right" person or stance.

This book in many ways was a tragedy, modeling the ways in which capitalism and colonialism consume everything. Selfishly, I wish for more hope in this novel, but perhaps the weighty message of the book will stick with readers longer.
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