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A review by tay_af
Babel by R.F. Kuang
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is my favorite read of the year so far. It’s dark academia historical fantasy like you’ve never seen it before, and I think it’s a fundamental shift in the genre. It’s absolutely brilliant and I cannot recommend it enough, I wish I could give it more than five stars. It’s posited as a response and successor to works such as Donna Tartt’s SECRET HISTORY and Susanna Clarke’s JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR NORRELL. Fans of these works will certainly enjoy BABEL, but BABEL’s magic, concerns, and characters engage richly with elements far beyond Tartt and Clarke’s books. I particularly recommend this to anyone interested in anticolonialism, linguistics, or found family character dynamics.
Where previous dark academic works meditate on many flaws in the academy, this novel understands academia as inextricably linked to empire in a way which starkly illuminates colonial history. The development of the fantasy element is creative, while being clearly grounded in meticulous research and an admirable understanding of the way language can operate, both on a highly interesting theoretical level and in real life, often as a tool of colonialism.
The setting is enchanting and the characters are dynamic, with vivid descriptions and personalities coming to life. The reader is encouraged to connect very deeply with the main characters. I predict a significant amount of fan engagement with them when BABEL hits the shelves.
Occasionally, the writing can seem a bit dry, but that makes sense tonally with the rest of the text. Much of the peak action occurs in rapid succession, which I often find a mark of poor pacing, but this felt purposeful and realistic. My only real complaint is that there is not, to the best of my knowledge, a sequel planned.
BABEL is ultimately a masterpiece, an absolute must-read and, at its core, the very best of what contemporary SFF has to offer.
I was provided a proof copy of this novel by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
Where previous dark academic works meditate on many flaws in the academy, this novel understands academia as inextricably linked to empire in a way which starkly illuminates colonial history. The development of the fantasy element is creative, while being clearly grounded in meticulous research and an admirable understanding of the way language can operate, both on a highly interesting theoretical level and in real life, often as a tool of colonialism.
The setting is enchanting and the characters are dynamic, with vivid descriptions and personalities coming to life. The reader is encouraged to connect very deeply with the main characters. I predict a significant amount of fan engagement with them when BABEL hits the shelves.
Occasionally, the writing can seem a bit dry, but that makes sense tonally with the rest of the text. Much of the peak action occurs in rapid succession, which I often find a mark of poor pacing, but this felt purposeful and realistic. My only real complaint is that there is not, to the best of my knowledge, a sequel planned.
BABEL is ultimately a masterpiece, an absolute must-read and, at its core, the very best of what contemporary SFF has to offer.
I was provided a proof copy of this novel by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Xenophobia, Racism, Colonisation, Classism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Violence, Misogyny, Grief, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Drug use and Gun violence
Minor: War