briqhtkit's reviews
227 reviews

Babel by R.F. Kuang

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adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Ramy, smiling. Ramy, reaching.

‘But that’s what translation is, i think. That’s what speaking is. Showing yourself to the world, and hoping someone else understands.’

God. This book. Tragic and heart wrenching and a bit trite at times (vague theory abt colonialism and the violence of anti colonialism that, though repeated often, never gets more specific). There was a thread of blunt overkill, especially as the three members of the cohort tried to convince Letty over and over that racism was real and British imperialism was deeply messed up. Kuang browbeats the idea that white = racist (BAD) which, although largely true, has the effect of simplifying a very complicated racial hierarchy to the level of white individuals and labeling them racist and evil. Also, some of the historical minutiae and relevancy got lost in the details of the narrative and the universe. At times Kuang seems to tackle too much, trying to incorporate so much history into the fiction into the characters’ lives, That said, Babel is undoubtedly still a masterclass in writing historical fiction and magical realism. It dwells on political and intellectual resistance through the eyes of college students. It was completely engaging and enjoyable to read.  Kuang has a unique talent for constructing entire universes (I can’t even fathom the amount of time and research that she must’ve put into this book) while also maintaining the verve and emotion of a group of college best friends. Babel is clearly a labor of love, and Kuang is able to aptly convey the sense of nostalgia and affection that permeates all memories of your loved ones, that simplifies everything in life down to them. I love reading about love through Kuang’s voice.  
Heaven and Earth by Paolo Giordano

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sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

this was okay… sort of the secret history-esque in the sense that the friend group was awfully codependent and prone to infighting but loved each other so extremely in hindsight that everything was justified (?) i found it boring did not sympathize for or resonate with the characters and could predict “the violent act” it was like watching a train wreck that’s really slow and boring. did not reveal anything abt the complexities of the human character just tells you how obsessive love changes people’s lives
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

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adventurous

4.5

I WAS SO FASCINATED AND HOOKED this book was so good. Rare tiktok gem they were all right…. I’m actually obsessed this would be 5 stars if it didn’t get a bit confusing at times but oh wow!! “the day you are not a fire is the day the earth will fall still for me” I Looooove obsessive codependent relationships
Paper Names by Susie Luo

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2.0

this was so trite boring and unimaginative the characters weren’t particularly likable or genuine and it could’ve been written about any East Asian immigrant family. played into the American Dream stereotype in the most superficial way
Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane

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emotional hopeful reflective
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

everything a chaos of love!! oh how i love this book keane perfectly captures getting older and the emotional intricacies of life in suchhhh a unique way
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

“To be part of nature was to be part of the will to live. Remember how you felt after the polar bear. Remember how much you wanted life.”

decent book very good premise and okay execution + im not sure how i feel about the whole “live enough lives and suddenly she feels better” the character development was a little unconvincing
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

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emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Vaguely fredrik backman-esque just by way of being Icelandic. Not super interesting and the question of the mother was too vaguely brushed aside for me to accept it but enjoyable nonetheless