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A review by the_bookishkat
Babel by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
emotional
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
This book has a truly powerful concept that intrinsically critiques and pulls apart colonialism and empire. RF Kuang's writing never fails to astound me, and I was particularly impressed with the research that has clearly gone into this book. The use of language throughout the story is perfectly chosen and I found the footnotes both helpful and satisfying to my academic brain. As someone who has done an English degree, I found so many themes and topics tackled in this book reflected and expanded on so much that I have previously learned and I loved seeing it come to life within a fictional world. However, I'm not sure that this intense academic tone would appeal to others who are looking for more of a whimsical element.
The characters were beautifully written, and I found myself constantly questioning who was in the right or not, especially the differences and similarities between Robin and Griffin. The setting of Oxford was an excellent choice, both for the implications of the centre of the academic/colonial world, but also because it provided Kuang a grounded setting to add the tower of Babel into without it feeling out of place.
Overall, I loved this book. I've been touting it as likely to be one of my favourites for a while, and it definitely lived up to expectations for me. I highly recommend if you're looking for a read that will make you stop and question everything about the world we currently live in.
The characters were beautifully written, and I found myself constantly questioning who was in the right or not, especially the differences and similarities between Robin and Griffin. The setting of Oxford was an excellent choice, both for the implications of the centre of the academic/colonial world, but also because it provided Kuang a grounded setting to add the tower of Babel into without it feeling out of place.
Overall, I loved this book. I've been touting it as likely to be one of my favourites for a while, and it definitely lived up to expectations for me. I highly recommend if you're looking for a read that will make you stop and question everything about the world we currently live in.