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A review by carmelien
Babel by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was an incredibly hard read by intent. This novel covers themes of slavery, white privilege and revolution. As a British citizen, this made me examine my beliefs and willingness to sacrifice luxuries to benefit strangers.
The book follows the life of Robin, a Cantonese boy brought to England to be educated and become a translator in the fictional Babel, within Oxford University. Throughout this novel we are privy to Robin's thoughts, which help in understanding the decisions he makes, even if we as readers disagree.
This book will stay with me for a long time after reading, it has left me with that beautiful emptiness a good book should end with.
The book follows the life of Robin, a Cantonese boy brought to England to be educated and become a translator in the fictional Babel, within Oxford University. Throughout this novel we are privy to Robin's thoughts, which help in understanding the decisions he makes, even if we as readers disagree.
This book will stay with me for a long time after reading, it has left me with that beautiful emptiness a good book should end with.