A review by marygeer
Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution by R.F. Kuang

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

Wow. RF Kuang is truly a genius! I felt like this book was written specifically for me. I spend a lot of time romanticizing my PhD program, knowing full and well the ivory tower that it is. Because what’s the alternative? To face the racism, sexism, and elitism it was built upon? The author made me revisit what it was like to enter the academic culture for the first time and have this veil lifted. I find it terrifying the amount of  “Lovells” and “Playfairs” that still exist today. 

What really worked for me was the cohort of Robin, Ramy, Victoire, and Letty. Each a different race and from a different background. I obviously identified most with Letty, the white woman. She fought tooth and nail for her position, with no one helping her- why would women get an education if they would be married off? Letty as a character  really made me reflect on how my whiteness and my sex influence my beliefs and morals. 

I also loved the etymology and fantasy elements. The idea that some sort of “meaning” is lost in every translation, and that meaning manifests as magic through alchemy. It’s such a neat and thoughtful concept. 

Finally I have to talk about the necessity of violence. This is an idea that- like Letty- I struggle with. The book makes it clear that violence is the only way to demand the respect of an empire. Not because of the cause, but because of the system it wants to rebel. But where do we draw the line? I will be thinking about this for days to come. I have so many other thoughts on survival, death, and friendship as well…
Expand filter menu Content Warnings