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A review by nichole_of_numenor
Babel by R.F. Kuang
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was drawn into this book before I read the first page. Not only were there maps (and I firmly believe that books with maps are better than most), but it promised an historical setting infused with unique magic.
Like Robin, the main character, I was lured into the mysterious world of exclusive academia. The prestige, the exclusivity, the pursuit of pure knowledge for knowledge's sake. I don't want to give away spoilers, but the way his view of the world changed and the inevitability of the events that followed had me in shock, disbelief, and it was quite the wild ride.
As someone who is a student of language, Kuang's own pedigree and familiarity with language and translation was spellbinding. There is always something lost in translation and this became the foundation of the magic. The whole book was sprinkled with etimologies from various languages and I just ate it all up.
From a sytlistic standpoint, I absolutely loved the way she liberally used footnotes to explain historical events, translations, or other tidbits, as if the book were an actual history (as the subtitle of the book states). There was plenty of dialoge to keep it feeling like a work of fiction, but I appreciated the use of footnotes as a more practical way that Kuang was pulling us into the academic world.
I can definitely see myself re-reading this one.
Like Robin, the main character, I was lured into the mysterious world of exclusive academia. The prestige, the exclusivity, the pursuit of pure knowledge for knowledge's sake. I don't want to give away spoilers, but the way his view of the world changed and the inevitability of the events that followed had me in shock, disbelief, and it was quite the wild ride.
As someone who is a student of language, Kuang's own pedigree and familiarity with language and translation was spellbinding. There is always something lost in translation and this became the foundation of the magic. The whole book was sprinkled with etimologies from various languages and I just ate it all up.
From a sytlistic standpoint, I absolutely loved the way she liberally used footnotes to explain historical events, translations, or other tidbits, as if the book were an actual history (as the subtitle of the book states). There was plenty of dialoge to keep it feeling like a work of fiction, but I appreciated the use of footnotes as a more practical way that Kuang was pulling us into the academic world.
I can definitely see myself re-reading this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Body horror, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent, Gun violence, and Slavery