A review by eralbesu
Babel: An Arcane History by R.F. Kuang

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective 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

5.0

Reading this book made me feel smarter. I felt like I learned something, even though I’m fully aware this is historical fiction, it felt educational in a sense. As a victim of colonialism, it challenged me to think of it in a way I never had before. 

RF Kuang is so impressive as a writer. It’s inspiring and challenged me to go deeper with my own writing. 

I really enjoyed this novel. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Genocide, Grief, Islamophobia, Toxic friendship, Violence, War, Drug use, Death of parent, Deportation, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Bullying, Child abuse, Classism, Colonisation, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Gun violence, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Slavery, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture

Moderate: Abandonment, Medical content, Death, and Medical trauma