A review by marym419
Babel: An Arcane History by R.F. Kuang

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I am sitting here after finishing this book, unable to form words and thoughts. The detail of the plot, the amount of research needed, the depth of character emotion and ethics and life. Kuang weaved a brilliant story of colonialism, resistance, history, and (sadly) present.

I am so utterly moved. As a person of color living the current moment in the US (Nov 2023), I cannot help but reflect heavily on how much we continue to fight the same fight for  freedom, for justice, for the end of a colonial empire. This book is not one easily forgotten, as the stories it is based off are not either.
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