Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

Babel: Una historia arcana by R.F. Kuang

966 reviews

blue_iris's review against another edition

informative mysterious 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

I would have never in a million years predicted the ending of this book. Bravo.

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Xenophobia and Sexual harassment

bedtimesnack's review against another edition

inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

If you were a fan of Harry Potter as a kid, reading Babel might scratch the itch for some magic/dark academia vibes. I was engaged with the plot the whole time, and the magic system was unique and well thought through. I would say the book's biggest fault is that it serves answers and interpretation a bit too readily. Themes of colonialism and racism are handled more openly as part of the plot and dialogue, so there's not a whole lot of poetic subtly going on. If you like to decipher meaning and plot yourself, you might not find what you're looking for with this book. 

That being said, R.F. Kuang does handle the themes well, and portrays several viewpoints on assimilation, resistance, microaggressions, and class consciousness from multiple characters of color. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Toxic friendship, War, and Classism

joana_dc's review against another edition

adventurous challenging inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

4.0

A book that I was forced to speed-read the last 200 pages of since I had to give it back to the library but I actually wanted to finish it. Still quite good since that's when the pacing of the book speeds up.

This was a fascinating read from the aspects about linguistics and the magic system derived from it to the reflections on colonialism and what one can do in the face of opression. Although the pacing can be a bit slow at the start it seems purposeful since it does need to you to be like a frog in a pot where the water slowly heats up until it reaches a boiling point.

A beautiful work of fiction that let's you not only get immersed in a totally new universe but also reflect on topics that are extremely relevant in today's political climate regarding colonialism and the oppressive structures created by governments and how to affect change.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide

Moderate: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Xenophobia

Minor: Sexism and War

sangsmiles's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Xenophobia, Murder, and Colonisation

Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Cultural appropriation, and Sexual harassment

pirola's review against another edition

challenging dark informative inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Colonisation, and War

Moderate: Racial slurs, Sexism, Slavery, Islamophobia, Death of parent, Murder, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Child abuse

chickenjoeinthewild's review against another edition

dark informative mysterious slow-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

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, Xenophobia, and Murder

rikkegstokke's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, and Toxic friendship

mo_bookshelves's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense

• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, and Slavery

sabrinazj's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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

5.0

"The problem is we're always living like we've lost."

Once again, R. F. Kuang writes a handbook full of retorts and counterarguments for the reader to use against those in denial of the realities of colonialism and racism. This is one for the academics, the students, and the multilinguals. Smart, witty, beyond creative, and utterly enjoyable!! Her books read fast. 

Huge character development. And one of the most DEVASTATING deaths I've ever read

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Hate crime, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Death of parent, and Murder

Minor: Death, Racial slurs, Sexism, and Sexual harassment

katherine_mh's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense slow-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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, and Classism

Moderate: Sexism