Scan barcode
A review by fox_at_the_circus
Babel: An Arcane History by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
i adore this book. its messages about colonialism, industrialisation and solidarity came across so well and so personal. and while the book is set in 19th century, they are just so current and important.
i love how much time it takes in the beginning to set up the cohort and their friendship in their "easy" lives in Oxford. it takes the time to really explore their characters and relationships, which really drives later points home so much better and makes later happenings so much more devastating. and Robin is such a good main character. seeing his character grow from childhood, seeing his mistakes, excuses, tries to make it right; it makes him very relatable.
i also really enjoyed the academia aspect of this book. all the language and translation theory was really interesting.
the use of footnotes in this novel was perfection. i always love getting extra information and the footnotes gave us so much of that. plus Kuang used it to comment on the shit some of the characters did, and also gave us closure for some things.
the names in this book are also so special to me. Robin and Griffin as birds, symbolising their want for freedom, and that we never find out their real names. Ramy calling Robin Birdie and how that nickname gets used throughout the book and by different characters. Victoires name being derived from Victory. its all very heartbreaking for me.
there are so many other great things about the book: how it all comes back to Robin's mom, how the quotes disappear suddenly, when all goes to shit, the intermissions, the last scene at Babel with its cinematic feel, the freedom of research
i love how much time it takes in the beginning to set up the cohort and their friendship in their "easy" lives in Oxford. it takes the time to really explore their characters and relationships, which really drives later points home so much better and makes later happenings so much more devastating. and Robin is such a good main character. seeing his character grow from childhood, seeing his mistakes, excuses, tries to make it right; it makes him very relatable.
i also really enjoyed the academia aspect of this book. all the language and translation theory was really interesting.
the use of footnotes in this novel was perfection. i always love getting extra information and the footnotes gave us so much of that. plus Kuang used it to comment on the shit some of the characters did, and also gave us closure for some things.
the names in this book are also so special to me. Robin and Griffin as birds, symbolising their want for freedom, and that we never find out their real names. Ramy calling Robin Birdie and how that nickname gets used throughout the book and by different characters. Victoires name being derived from Victory. its all very heartbreaking for me.
there are so many other great things about the book: how it all comes back to Robin's mom, how the quotes disappear suddenly, when all goes to shit, the intermissions, the last scene at Babel with its cinematic feel, the freedom of research
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Sexism, Police brutality, Violence, Racism, Colonisation, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death, Grief, Child abuse, Gun violence, Murder, War, Toxic friendship, Blood, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, and Slavery