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emptybookspace 's review for:
Babel-17
by Samuel R. Delany
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm really glad I finally read this book. I've read about it in numerous papers on science fiction, but for some reason I just never reached for it. Until recently, that is.
The importance of language and linguistics is such an interesting part of the plot, and I really enjoyed how this concept was used in the novel. The scene in which Rydra tries to understand Butcher and his speech pattern, as well as teaches him about the concept of "you" and "I", and about power of words, was my favourite part of the novel, I think.
I have to admit, this is one of the novels I read mostly for the plot, not for the characters, as the only characters I actually found interesting were Butcher and Ron. And the discorporate members of the crew, of course. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed reading about Rydra assembling her crew, and about her talking to Ron about their respective relationships, but I found concepts appearing in the novel so much more interesting. Inclusion of polyamorous relationship, creation of discorporate characters, the worldbuilding in general; those are the things that made this novel so unique, the things that really caught my attention.
I really enjoy Samuel R. Delany's style of writing, and I can't wait to read more of his works.
The importance of language and linguistics is such an interesting part of the plot, and I really enjoyed how this concept was used in the novel. The scene in which Rydra tries to understand Butcher and his speech pattern, as well as teaches him about the concept of "you" and "I", and about power of words, was my favourite part of the novel, I think.
I have to admit, this is one of the novels I read mostly for the plot, not for the characters, as the only characters I actually found interesting were Butcher and Ron. And the discorporate members of the crew, of course. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed reading about Rydra assembling her crew, and about her talking to Ron about their respective relationships, but I found concepts appearing in the novel so much more interesting. Inclusion of polyamorous relationship, creation of discorporate characters, the worldbuilding in general; those are the things that made this novel so unique, the things that really caught my attention.
I really enjoy Samuel R. Delany's style of writing, and I can't wait to read more of his works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Grief, Murder
Moderate: Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Blood, Alcohol, War
Minor: Homophobia, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, Medical content, Medical trauma