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A review by vrunda
Babel by R.F. Kuang
4.0
3.8 ⭐
Babel by R F kuang is an immersive story about the colonial trade, white supremacy, white greed, and the resistance and revolution carried out by poc translators studying at Oxford. I went through a lot of feelings throughout this book. The writing was impeccable. The story hooks you in. It feels like rfk wrote an essay about colonialism and decided to write a story around it. I don't know if I view that as a good thing or a bad thing, it was my observation. The plot and the discussion surrounding the etymology and languages and translation was very beautiful and one of a kind. In the first half of the book, the plot is pacing slowly, we get to know the characters, their interpersonal relations with each other. The other half meanwhile, was very fast paced. There is an urgency in the air. I absolutely loved the conversations revolving around revolution. This book made me think and feel so damn much. I had debates with myself over and over, I had a hard time controlling my emotions and letting my heart go out for all the oppressed and my rage went out for the oppressors. The characters and their relations with each other was something quite beautiful to witness. Although, there were some points that I did not like. When it came to the choice of whether or not violence was necessary, it felt like the author did not give the readers a space to form their own opinions, neither was the character in the scene. It was the author's thoughts and opinions bleeding through. There was no space for me to put my feelings or thoughts ahead during that time. In another review, I read that the setting doesn't seem that it's it the 19th century, and I agree, this plot felt like it was set in modern times. The theatrical ending was very heart touching. I enjoyed this book and learned from this a lot.
Babel by R F kuang is an immersive story about the colonial trade, white supremacy, white greed, and the resistance and revolution carried out by poc translators studying at Oxford. I went through a lot of feelings throughout this book. The writing was impeccable. The story hooks you in. It feels like rfk wrote an essay about colonialism and decided to write a story around it. I don't know if I view that as a good thing or a bad thing, it was my observation. The plot and the discussion surrounding the etymology and languages and translation was very beautiful and one of a kind. In the first half of the book, the plot is pacing slowly, we get to know the characters, their interpersonal relations with each other. The other half meanwhile, was very fast paced. There is an urgency in the air. I absolutely loved the conversations revolving around revolution. This book made me think and feel so damn much. I had debates with myself over and over, I had a hard time controlling my emotions and letting my heart go out for all the oppressed and my rage went out for the oppressors. The characters and their relations with each other was something quite beautiful to witness. Although, there were some points that I did not like. When it came to the choice of whether or not violence was necessary, it felt like the author did not give the readers a space to form their own opinions, neither was the character in the scene. It was the author's thoughts and opinions bleeding through. There was no space for me to put my feelings or thoughts ahead during that time. In another review, I read that the setting doesn't seem that it's it the 19th century, and I agree, this plot felt like it was set in modern times. The theatrical ending was very heart touching. I enjoyed this book and learned from this a lot.