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A review by anna_curlyquotesediting
Babel by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
OK so I'm going to give this book 5 stars because I adore the worldbuilding and playing with languages so much I could overlook the flaws of this book, of which there are many. Like many. I'll cover 4.
First, it's way too long. It genuinely didn't need to be that long. Second, you're going to be beat in the head over and over and over again with the point the author wants to make. Third, all but like 2 characters were flat or a stereotype. Fourth, the writing is rather high-brow and sometimes feels a little...pretentious? I don't know, that one's easier to forgive because this is literally a book narrated by linguistic geniuses.
But if you can deal with all that, you're in for a good time.
First, it's way too long. It genuinely didn't need to be that long. Second, you're going to be beat in the head over and over and over again with the point the author wants to make. Third, all but like 2 characters were flat or a stereotype. Fourth, the writing is rather high-brow and sometimes feels a little...pretentious? I don't know, that one's easier to forgive because this is literally a book narrated by linguistic geniuses.
But if you can deal with all that, you're in for a good time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Colonisation, Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Torture, Violence, Toxic friendship
Minor: Drug use, Slavery, Suicide