A review by theravenkingx
Babel by R.F. Kuang

adventurous emotional informative inspiring 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? No

5.0

5 stars ★★★★★ and a place in my all-time favorites

Babel is a modern masterpiece. Unfortunately, the themes it covers are still relevant today. The book tackle the issues of race, language, and colonialism. It is set in a world where British Empire uses silver magic and translation to colonize and subjugate other cultures.

The story follows Robin Swift, a Chinese boy who is adopted by a Babel professor and trained to become a translator and a silver-worker, a magician who can manipulate the meaning lost in translation. Robin soon realizes that his academic work serves the imperial interests of Britain, and he faces a dilemma: should he join the Hermes Society, a secret group that opposes the empire, or should he remain loyal to Babel and his adoptive father? Things get more complicated when he discovers British Empire's intend of colonizing China over opium.

That's all speaking is. Listening to the other and trying to see past your own biases to glimpse what they're trying to say. Showing yourself to the world, and hoping someone else understands

 Kuang masterfully blends historical Fiction and fantasy to create a world that is rich and immersive. The book is well researched and truthfully depicts the conflicts and atrocities of the 19th century, industrial revolution and the true reason behind abolishing slavery. She challenges the reader to reflect on the role of language and culture in shaping the identity and reality, and how they can be used as a tool of domination of resistance. The book is commentary on the issues of racism, white supremacy, and greed that plagues our world even today. 

Kuang also reveals how wars have different and unequal imapact on white and non-white people. Unfortunately, it still holds true. America has been at war for decades but the lives of her people are improving while the countries she is bombing is deteriorating and disappearing. Same can be said about the current genocide happening in Palestine. Colonialism and Racism hasn't ended. Governments have just become good at manipulating the world view and censoring opnion of marginalized communities. They don't colonize entire countries anymore they just buy the governments and keep them under control with the burden of debts.White people have been rationalizing and glorifying their wars as noble and heroic causes. On the other hand, people of color bear the brunt of the violence and devastation of wars, and are often dehumanized and demonized as enemies or savages. They have to fight not only for their survival, but also for their dignity and freedom. Their fight, however, is considered an act of terrorism instead of what it is: resistance. More often then not the goal of these wars is not defense but to enslave people and exploit their resources. 

This is how colonialism works. It convinces us that the fallout from resistance is entirely our fault, that the immoral choice is resistance itself rather than the circumstances that demanded it

As Kuang shows, racism and white supremacy are not just about individual hatred or prejudice, but also about systemic and institutional structures that favor and privilege the white group over others. These structures create and maintain racial hierarchies and inequalities, and justify violence and exploitation against nonwhite people. They also foster resentment and fear among white people who perceive any challenge to their supremacy as a threat to their way of life. Kuang exposes the hypocrisy and cruelty of the British Empire, which claims to bring civilization and enlightenment to the world, but in fact destroys and enslaves the cultures and peoples it encounters. 

The rabit dies and the fox grieves, for they are animals of a kind

 
This line resonated with me deeply. I agree that the root of the problem is the lack of compassion for those who are different from us. If we stand up for each other, we can end tyranny and bring peace to the world. The book also explores how our feelings about violence, wars, and genocide depend on our proximity to them and how they affect us. People tend to be indifferent if their own well-being and interests are not at stake. Kuang proposes that the only way to stop war and violence is to hurt the oppressor where it matters. That is why boycotting is important, because it causes losses and makes them less likely to continue. However, this strategy does not always work. Often, they are willing to endure losses and sacrifice their own people, or they find other ways to finance their war. Since the war on Palestine has started IMF is giving more loans to underdeveloped countries with higher returns to fund this war. It is sickening and maddening. 

Slavery was abolished not because white people saw the light but because, it had become less profitable and growing resistance was creating a threat. 

Kuang has created characters that are relatable and real. My favorite characters in the book are Ramy and Victoire. I really love seeing positive Muslim representation in books because we don't get enough of them. Ramy for this reason is my favorite. I really enjoyed the friendship of our main characters and their development. 

Babel is a powerful and provocative novel that challenges the reader to question the assumptions and narratives that shape our world and our history. It is a novel that speaks to our present and our future, and urges us to confront and resist the forces of racism and white supremacy that threaten our humanity. It is a novel that deserves to be read and praised by all.