An ambitious thematic book exploring colonialism, language, and the power of connection, this novels' success is one that is largely in the experience of the reader. More than any other book I have read recently, this one is where the power is with the reader and the connection they have, or not, to the themes explored, so this review places even more emphasis than usual on how I personally connected to this book.

Firstly, a quick summary, the book follows it's central character, Robin Swift, who is taken from his home in Canton (Guangzhou) China by a mysterious guardian/patron, Professor Lovell, who sees that Robin attends Babel, the Royal Institute of Translation, at the University of Oxford. What follows is an exploration of language, the importance of understanding etymology and culture behind words and phrases, and the losses that can occur when words and works are translated by foreign cultures, particularly conquering or colonising ones, and how dismantling such structures ultimately therefore requires a revolution in education and recasting the links between languages.

So, here's how I connected with it. As an archivist, the thing connected with me most when reading about the work of the translators, and the subtlety, nuance, and power of language, is how historical records, and what we choose to keep, what we choose to display, the language we use to describe and interpret those records, and who makes those decisions has much more influence than we might imagine just doing our day-to-day work. The power of language is really coming to the fore in the UK right now, as media outlets and politicians still use inflammatory language to stoke fear about issues that deflect from the failings and corruption of the people in power today. I felt like this was particularly well done in the first half or so of the book.

There were other elements I connected with less, one was the fantasy element, it served a purpose in showing the connections between words, and how monopoly over a powerful resource can corrupt and empower one group of people, and lead to the subjugation and dehumanisation of another, so theme-wise it was a useful tool, but in terms of fantasy world-building, it didn't really do anything, and when viewed from a different angle, seemed to undermine the exploration of colonialist Britain. The silver magic was the main cause and reason for Britain's power over other nations, but obviously, in real life, Britain, and other western powers have managed the same thing without magic, and the silver magic did not seem to make the 'fantasy' world of Babel different to the real world in any significant way.
I also didn't connect with the characters, Robin's friends didn't have much personality of depth, they were representatives of their various viewpoints, though Letty, towards the end, served more of a purpose than a viewpoint, and for a book exploring nuance, the plot and characters became less and less subtle as the novel progress, which was perhaps deliberate, but again, gave me personally less to connect with. For fans of action and a faster pace, the latter half of the book had more to offer, for me I preferred the first half.
I didn't always connect with the footnotes either, settling into the academic nature of the book, I enjoyed them, I liked the ones that provided context and historic understanding of words and phrases, though some seemed more author's commentary, for example a little dig thrown at English cheese, which felt out of place (though that's from the perspective of an English person who likes English cheese - as well as cheese from other cheese-making nations), it meant that I found it difficult to know who the narrator's voice was - who was the author of the footnotes, author or narrator?
The plot itself was pretty simple, the nuance and subtlety was focussed on language, not on story, and the book is more about themes rather than plot, I didn't mind that, as I find the themes interesting and important to discuss and explore, and the academic beginning suited what I was in the mood for, but readers who like intricate or convincing plotlines may not connect with this as much. I think the writing also got more heavy-handed towards the end too, there was quite a bit of repetition towards the end, Robin 'finally understood what Griffin meant' at least twice in quick succession, even though Griffin's words had been quite clear in the first place. Robin's slow-dawning of understanding seemed at odds with his intelligence and journey, and his conclusions kind of flawed as he saw a need for violence (title reference), when connection was what actually mattered: <spoiler>people joining forces over a common enemy, or different needs - same solution, and strikes or with-holding pivotal services was more effective.</spoiler>

I also wouldn't really class this as an adult novel, it is longer than most YA fiction, and has more 'weight' I guess, but it reads as if it's aimed more at a YA audience, to me, maybe the age and experience of the main character combined with a pretty simple plot leads me to that feeling., and maybe that the academic nature of it can feel like the author is delivering a lecture or paper, so the audience therefore feels like they should be student-aged. Rating this as a YA, however, I would give this a high rating as I really appreciate the conversations that this book starts, the sheer amount of work and research that went into it, and there are elements that will stay with me.

Anyway, that's my garbled review, for an effective summary of this, my reaction to this book is pretty much a mix of those on youtube by @ReadswithRachel and @bookishsabrina so I recommend checking those out.

Having loved the Poppy War Trilogy I was keen to read this new dark academia novel. I really enjoyed the setting, characters and story line although I have to admit the Poppy War is still my favourite R.F Kuang novel.

A really thrilling and dark novel for fans of R.F Kuang or the dark academia trope.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.

A Riveting Blend of History, Fantasy, and Resilience

Babel, the captivating audiobook by acclaimed author R.F. Kuang, takes listeners on a gripping journey through the grandeur and darkness of Oxford in 1836. Set in the renowned city of dreaming spires, the story revolves around Babel, the Royal Institute of Translation, a tower that holds the key to the Empire's power. This incendiary novel delves into the complex themes of language, colonialism, and resistance, weaving a tale that is both thought-provoking and immersive.

The protagonist, Robin Swift, is an orphan from Canton who finds himself in England under the care of a mysterious guardian. At first, Babel appears to be a paradise for Robin, with its wealth of knowledge and progress. However, as he delves deeper into its inner workings, he discovers that Babel is far from what it seems—a prison that reflects the cruelty of empire. In the face of oppression, Robin is confronted with a choice: Can a student stand against an empire?

R.F. Kuang's writing is a masterful blend of fantasy and historical fiction, creating a vivid and atmospheric world within the walls of Babel. The power of language takes center stage, exploring its transformative potential and the violence that can accompany its manipulation. Through her meticulous research and attention to detail, Kuang brings the historical setting to life, immersing listeners in the sights, sounds, and social dynamics of 19th-century Oxford.

The audiobook is narrated with skill and precision, elevating the already gripping narrative. The voice actors adeptly capture the nuances of each character, breathing life into their struggles, triumphs, and sacrifices. The pacing of the narration maintains a perfect balance, allowing listeners to become fully engrossed in the story while savoring every twist and revelation.

Babel is a monumental achievement in its exploration of dark academia, blending the intricacies of academia with the weight of colonialism. Kuang's storytelling resonates with power and knowledge, painting a stark picture of the Empire's cruelty and the sacrifices made in the name of resistance. The narrative unfolds with a relentless energy, leaving listeners captivated from start to finish.

In Babel, R.F. Kuang has crafted a work that transcends genres, offering a gripping tale that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, fantasy, and thought-provoking literature. With its well-drawn characters, immersive world-building, and resonant themes, this audiobook is a tour de force that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who listens.

I got 200 pages into this before DNFing it. The narration was really good. The only thing that did bother me about it was that the narrator was for the footnotes was a different person from the story and this kept dragging me out of the story entirely. On top of this, in general, I felt like the book was 70% textbook and 30% fictional story. I felt like it was trying to teach me something rather than me enjoying an actual story and in general, it made me feel a little bit dumb. I didn't understand half of what I was being told. Ironically enough, I actually felt like some of the footnotes were giving too much information to the actual fictional side of the story and giving us no time, as the reader, to piece things together ourselves. Overall, I love Rebecca's writing, I've loved The Poppy War series and I'm very excited for Yellowface, but, no matter how hard I tried, this one just wasn't for me.

One of my favourite books of 2022. This was absolutely incredible and, dare I say, perfect? I both listened to this and read it physically which created such an immersive reading experience. The narration was great.

This book was not what I was expecting at all but I absolutely loved it. I was a little intimidated by how long the audiobook was but it was narrated very well and I was hooked on the story. It had such a deep meaning and I felt I could connect so the story and the characters.

The plot starts with introducing the reader to Oxford in the 1830s and to Robin, the main character. Robin was orphaned from Canton and brought over to London by Professor Lovell. Robin gets welcomed into Oxford and mainly Babel, the Royal Institute of Translation. At the beginning Robin seems to immerse himself in Babel and translation and he makes friend but he soon realises what actually happened to him and what is happening between Britain and China.

I was so immersed in this story, I did shock myself as I enjoyed this new genre of dark academia. I thought this book was well written and well researched. I can’t imagine how much time and effort the author put into this book and it definitely payed off. Also the audiobook was well narrated, the narrators kept the energetic high and I thought they portrayed the characters really well. The characters in this book were well written and developed. There were some that I loved and some that I really disliked and I’m sure that was the authors intention.

I really enjoyed listening to this book and it kept my very entertained. It had a lot of deep meaning which will stay with my forever. I definitely want to go back and read this authors previous books. I definitely recommend this book if you haven’t read it, try not to be intimidated by the length of the the book!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Babel truly is a brilliant academic novel, which tackles tricky themes, engaging and well written characters with a wonderful story. Babel is truly a must read book. It is a heavy, lengthy, non light hearted read however you will be gripped by the characters and the storytelling.

In this fantastical tale, orphaned Robin Swift is brought from Canton to become a student of Babel, the Royal Institute of Translation - the most prestigious institution in Oxford - where scholars work with silver to advance the British Empire. Firstly, the book explores linguistics, difficulties of the truest translation, and the shifts and changes in the relationship with one's own language.
Babel is also a passionate story about the struggle against colonialism and exploitation of native resources for the benefit of the few. Part call to arms, part tragedy, it’s an excellent example of pathos, an ancient Greek mode of persuasion.
Kuang writes from the perspective of a scholar, translator, and person of colour. Perhaps this is why there’s such a distinctive sense of place in this book – Oxford and Babel become the centre of the world for Robin and his friends. That is why it is also a heart breaking story of family connections, friendships and betrayals, the struggle to fit in, and the realisation that you never will.

I enjoyed listening to the audiobook rather then reading it as the narration by Chris Lew Kum Hoi and Billie Fulford-Brown was making the book stand out, ams because it oferred correct pronunciation of Chinese words. I enjoined listening to it very much.

This is a really tricky book for me to review as I have so much to say, and I am finding it hard to put my thoughts onto paper and still do the book justice. I will start by saying that I am not a smart person, and this is a smart book, so there are probably plenty of things that I didn't pick up on with regards to the magic, or that I lost track of due to the use of different languages in the book - but I do know very very limited Mandarin, so I really enjoyed the footnotes about the use of certain characters used.
For me personally, I thought that the book was incredibly well written, the amount of research, history and world building that went into it was immense, and you really got a sense that R.F. Kuang knows her world inside out. However, I found it very hard to find the motivation to pick the book up as not very much happens until the half way point (which is about 12 hours into the audiobook). And by then, because it had taken me such a long time to get to that point, I didn't really feel a connection to the characters that would usually draw me back in.
On the subject of characters, I felt that they were fleshed out and very realistic, though sometimes I thought that Robin was a little too passive as a main character, I loved the dynamic of the group of them and how they interacted, and the tensions between them were very interesting. I also really liked the ending, I don't want to say too much as to avoid spoilers, but it was just a really good way to end it.
Overall, I would say that this book is a work of pure dedication and commitment. For me, I liked it but didn't love it - I would say that I am more impressed by it, and have great respect for R.F. Kuang for writing it. I do recommend people to check it out if they are thinking about reading it, maybe it is easier to get through the physical version instead (I am not sure why the audio is 24 hours long, as I believe the book is only about 550 pages, which seems like an awfully long narration for a book that length!). All in all, a very interesting book.

Preliminary 5-star review. Will post a full review and adjust the rating accordingly after I finish the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC copy of this book, in exchange for this honest review.

Babel was a fantastic commentary on the colonialism that is very much still present in British educational institutions.

Focusing on a group of language students who are both respected and revoked in Oxford, Kuang explores how those of alternative heritage were never truly accepted despite being necessary to the development of the country. Although bringing elements of alchemical magic into the story, there are clear parallels to the very real struggles caused by the British Empire and it’s colonialism.

The audiobook was a great adaptation of the novel and created the dark academia feel the book needed.

3.5 Stars

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK Audio for the Audiobook version of Babel by R. F. Kuang to read in exchange for an honest review.

Babel is set in 1828 and follows Robin Swift an orphan from Canton brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. Here he is trained in Latin, Ancient Greek and Chinese to prepare him for the day he will attend Oxford University and the institute of translation known as Babel.

The tower is the world's center for translation and magic, specifically silver working which is the art of finding lost translation using enchanted silver bars.

For Robin Oxford is a utopia but as his time there continues he realises that as a Chinese boy in Britain he is betraying his motherland. As his time progresses he is recruited by the elusive Hermes society an organisation dedicated to stopping imperial expansion and the unjust war against China.

My thoughts on this book were mixed areas of the title I vastly enjoyed and I was wrapped up in the story other areas I felt could be cut down or not included at all.

This was an incredibly long audio book at 14 hours and it took me a while to finish it. The audio narration was very good I will say that but due to the length and wordiness of the book this title at points dragged, mostly due to a vast amount of reputation from the author or I suppose wordiness of sentences.

I wanted to love it as I had heard such great things but I had to deduct stars for that alone.

Overall I really enjoyed the characters and the group dynamic between Robin, Rami, Letty, and Victoire. This portion of the story I found incredibly interesting. However I am not sure I would ever reread this title again.

There were several reasons I was attracted to this book: the Oxford setting, a story about books and words, an alternative history. And the reviews were glowing, ecstatic almost.
However, for me the book did not live up to the hype and squandered too much potential.

The setting is 19th century colonial England in all its ‘glory’ but with a power structure based on the various magical capabilities obtained when combining silver with translations rather than the wealth gained through trading. Magical powers are created through the disparity of meaning between translated words when these words are inscribed on the silver.
The background historical event is the origin of The Opium Wars in which the magical silver is the desired commodity rather than is porcelain, silk, and tea.

Unfortunately the whole narrative seemed to feel that its purpose was as a polemic against colonialism rather than a fantasy story conveying that same message.
Even though I basically agree with most of the opinions expressed in the narrative I still felt myself rolling my eyes at their expression within the story. The colonials are mostly two-dimensional villains which somehow makes them less sinister. While the plucky, rebellious university students seeming like a hopeless group of bumbling amateurs who have no chance of success.
I was so far from suspending disbelief I began to question whether people would have showered or bathed in the 19th century.

Also the story’s location feels quite nondescript and drab despite all the name dropping of famous buildings. The descriptions never evoked Oxford while Babel Tower was a large carbuncle plonked down between the Bodleian and the Radcliffe Camera rather than an edifice dedicated to learning. (Maybe that was intentional as it suited the later scenes.)

And I couldn’t connect with the characters. Victoire seemed most fully fleshed out, Ramy was charmingly mysterious, Letty privileged and whiney. Robin, the main POV, was weak and unsure of his own mind, which isn’t necessarily a problem but does create more of a challenge for the author to turn him into a ‘hero’, a challenge I felt the author did not meet and in the last third of the book - when push came to shove – Victoire was the much stronger personality.

In addition to the dogmatic rendering of the colonial world, the story telling was top heavy with so much world building and character development that the beginning of the story dragged and almost stalled.
After we are more than half-way through there is a change of location with more frustrating interactions and lack of decision on how to act and then boom! the action starts with a bang and the ill thought-out situation goes from bad to worse with our protagonists clutching at straws, desperate for a solution.
At one point the narrative seemed to be going in a certain direction such that I began to wonder if the author was intending to change actual historical facts.

On the other hand, the audio narration was excellent. The footnotes were handled in a way that was clear without being intrusive. The narrator’s voice was pleasant except maybe his voice for Letty. More importantly he handled the Chinese pronunciations smoothly (I can’t judge if they were correct) something that would probably have tripped me up in the print version, and this greatly added to my enjoyment.

3 stars for the book
4 stars for the narration

This 5-star book totally deserves what I used to reserve 5 stars for. It is pretty world-view altering and mind-blowing.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was enthralled from the get-go. I enjoyed all the language and linguistic tidbits in the book. If I hadn’t become a singer, I might have gone into linguistics. I thought the idea that silver and linguistics were behind the British Empire’s success was brilliant. The deep dive into racism, racial inequality, privilege and all the related tangentials was really good food for thought and it’s those things that will stick with me and occupy my thoughts for a good while.

This book is barely Fantasy. It took a very long time for the Fantasy element to even be introduced, so if you prefer your Fantasy to be less reality based, perhaps this book won’t do it for you.

I finally managed to listen to this audiobook. I already knew and loved the story, and I have to say the narrator did a fantastic job with this one. The short parts in other languages sounded weird and felt more like an "announcement" than part of the narration. While I appreciated the choice of having a female voice for the footnotes, the female narrator was a bit flat, but overall I enjoyed it.

This book was a joyous thing to read. It was so detailed and I loved how the silver was interwoven through every aspect of the book and its metaphor. I felt the relationships were real, though I did feel like the people themselves could have been a bit more rounded and fleshed out. So little was written about Griffin etc. My only criticism was the ending. What was the outcome? But still one of the better books I've read in the last year.

Wow! Even though I have a physical copy of this book, I’m so glad I listened to the audio! This historical fantasy is set in the early 1800s at an Oxford institute for translation, which explores linguistics and the politics of language and translation. The story features complex characters making soul-shattering choices and facing high stakes that shake the world, with an explosive and thrilling conclusion. The prose is easy to digest, and footnotes are used effectively. The book is a scathing indictment of the colonial enterprise, with a sharp, brilliant, heartbreaking, heart-filling, and satisfying story.

Unfortunately I changed my phone so no longer have the download and this book is archived. I will try and access the audiobook from elsewhere and update this review when possible!

Amazing! Whirlwind of fantasy, emotions and academia!

If you love dark academia vibes, then you will absolutely love this book!

The book itself is quite chunky, with very complicated magical system & character development - to read (or listen) to this book and fully emerge in it, I recommend 110% focus.

For me, this is not a book I can listen to as a filler, this is the MAIN event! It had me gripped, jaw hanging, tense and my brain had many wheels turning whilst listening to this book.

An absolute masterpiece 👏

The narrating of this book was also excellent, I felt that the voice perfectly fit what I've imagined in my head whilst reading the book!

I think everyone should read this book at least once in their life! (Or a few times in my case lol)

To be honest I don't know what to say about this book. It's totally different from what I was expecting and also completely different to what I usually read. While it took me a while to get into the story and the heavy academic content, I soon found it hard to stop listening. This book as a person from the Great Britain, was hard to read but I guess that's the point and I am disgusted at what we did and still do. We don't get taught this at school and while I know some history, it's not to this extent. And the way these people fought for what's right gives me hope.