A review by lifepluspreston
Babel by R.F. Kuang

5.0

Babel by R. F. Kuang--I have been postponing this for far too long. This story blends a surprisingly artful metaphor for empire with full, rich characters and a world that is real and gritty and messy. This is a speculative fiction work that follows a young man attending Oxford as a novice translator in a world where translation powers everything. Kuang takes time to flesh out and truly reckon with the consequences of the world she's built while making it feel grounded in moments of pure delight and heartbreak. I felt like I had a gut punch while I was deplaning and came to a particular part of the story that I won't soon forget. I do not think everyone should read this book, but everyone who wants to read it should read it immediately. Two thumbs up.