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sunn_bleach 's review for:
Babel-17
by Samuel R. Delany
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
"Babel-17" is an attempt to take the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis to its absolute extreme, but unfortunately you'll realize pretty quickly that it's so absurd as to be very, very silly. The premise very quickly becomes absurd, and fittingly it shows how much the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis (alongside newspeak in "1984") has had a rather unfortunate influence on pop culture. Yes, language influences your perceptions. No, it doesn't literally change your mind. No, not having words for something doesn't mean you can't think those thoughts, else nobody would learn language to begin with.
The book has some fascinating concepts regarding sexuality and body modification - both of which would be constant through-lines in Delany's work (especially "Dhalgren"). For that (and if you can take a deep breath at the whole "language equals thought" thingy), it might be worth reading, but it wouldn't be the first Delany book I recommend, much less New Wave science fiction.
Pacing's a mess, too.
The book has some fascinating concepts regarding sexuality and body modification - both of which would be constant through-lines in Delany's work (especially "Dhalgren"). For that (and if you can take a deep breath at the whole "language equals thought" thingy), it might be worth reading, but it wouldn't be the first Delany book I recommend, much less New Wave science fiction.
Pacing's a mess, too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gun violence, Murder, War
Moderate: Medical trauma, Death of parent