A review by sarahweyand
Babel by R.F. Kuang

challenging dark emotional reflective 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

5.0

I have been WAITING to see if a book would make my All-Time Favorites list this year. There have been many 2023 favorites and a few five-star picks, but I'm stingy. This is it. One of the best books I've read in a long time. I can't stop thinking about it. The research, the effort, the characters, the prose, the atmosphere - immaculate. This was my most anticipated release of last year but frankly it intimidated me so I didn't get around to it until now. 

Don't let this book intimidate you like it did me. It's surprisingly approachable for having such a highbrow plot. The prose is wonderful without being purple, and the plot is moderately-paced, verging on slow, but never drags or feels like it should have been slimmed down.

This was such a good, complete story. The themes of colonialism and appropriation and racism were deep and well-discussed while still being ingrained within the plot and not shoehorned in. Such a wonderful, unique story told in a wonderful manner. I'm probably going to recommend it to every single reader I know.
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