A review by zoevjester
Babel by R.F. Kuang

adventurous challenging emotional informative 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? Yes

4.0

Set in 1830's Oxford, with insight to silver trades, opium, translators' guild, and told with full, in-depth characters who shine through the story, and told through a modern lens. Beautifully written, though bitter-sweet in its ending, it is open-ended with the potential for follow-up if wanted. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Torture, Xenophobia, Murder, Colonisation, and Classism

Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Islamophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

Minor: Alcoholism, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail