A review by paulibirisqui
Babel: Una historia arcana by R.F. Kuang
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
I'm speechless.
This book deserves all the praises and success (may I say, even more) that's having. Do not be intimidated by it, the language used makes it much easier to get engaged with the story.
The academic side is brilliant. The conversation and discourse surrounding translation, languages, imperialism and colonialism, and the relations between them, is sublime. It's incredibly well developed and carried through the whole book.
The dark side is nice. Especially towards the end, even though there were always small hints.
The characters are amazing, being Victoire my favourite. The different perspectives they have make their relationships richer and complicated. I saw someone saying they were unidimensional. I can not disagree more. They have elaborated feelings and unique ways of facing issues. However a valid criticism is that their union is more said than showed.
Nonetheless this was an amazing read, I heavily recommend it.
This book deserves all the praises and success (may I say, even more) that's having. Do not be intimidated by it, the language used makes it much easier to get engaged with the story.
The academic side is brilliant. The conversation and discourse surrounding translation, languages, imperialism and colonialism, and the relations between them, is sublime. It's incredibly well developed and carried through the whole book.
The dark side is nice. Especially towards the end, even though there were always small hints.
The characters are amazing, being Victoire my favourite. The different perspectives they have make their relationships richer and complicated. I saw someone saying they were unidimensional. I can not disagree more. They have elaborated feelings and unique ways of facing issues. However a valid criticism is that their union is more said than showed.
Nonetheless this was an amazing read, I heavily recommend it.
Spoiler
I loved Griffin so much, I wished he had stayed longer :'(
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Violence, Cultural appropriation, Classism, Hate crime, War, Racism, and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Gun violence
Minor: Slavery and Physical abuse