Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution
In 'Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution', R.F. Kuang presents an alternative history fantasy set in a Victorian Britain where the city of Oxford is the center of knowledge and progress. The story revolves around Robin Swift, a bright boy plucked from Canton, who is taken to England by Professor Richard Lovell to study languages at Babel, the Royal Institute of Translation. As Robin befriends a group of misfits, they find themselves embroiled in a revolution that challenges the foundations of the Empire, all while dealing with themes of colonialism, language, and power.
Kuang's writing style intricately weaves together elements of history, fantasy, and language, creating a detailed and immersive world where the power of the Empire is tied to the magic of enchanted silver inscribed with untranslatable words. Through a diverse cast of characters and a unique magic system, the author explores complex themes of colonialism, empire building, exploitation, and prejudice, offering a thought-provoking narrative that delves into the dark corners of history and society.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Babel contains themes of violence, oppression, and suicide, which may be distressing for some readers.
From The Publisher:
Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller from the author of The Poppy War
"Absolutely phenomenal. One of the most brilliant, razor-sharp books I've had the pleasure of reading that isn't just an alternative fantastical history, but an interrogative one; one that grabs colonial history and the Industrial Revolution, turns it over, and shakes it out." - Shannon Chakraborty, bestselling author of The City of Brass
From award-winning author R. F. Kuang comes Babel, a thematic response to The Secret History and a tonal retort to Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell that grapples with student revolutions, colonial resistance, and the use of language and translation as the dominating tool of the British empire.
Traduttore, traditore: An act of translation is always an act of betrayal.
1828. Robin Swift, orphaned by cholera in Canton, is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese, all in preparation for the day he'll enroll in Oxford University's prestigious Royal Institute of Translation-also known as Babel.
Babel is the world's center for translation and, more importantly, magic. Silver working-the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation using enchanted silver bars-has made the British unparalleled in power, as its knowledge serves the Empire's quest for colonization.
For Robin, Oxford is a utopia dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. But knowledge obeys power, and as a Chinese boy raised in Britain, Robin realizes serving Babel means betraying his motherland. As his studies progress, Robin finds himself caught between Babel and the shadowy Hermes Society, an organization dedicated to stopping imperial expansion. When Britain pursues an unjust war with China over silver and opium, Robin must decide…
Can powerful institutions be changed from within, or does revolution always require violence?
Ratings (140)
Incredible (50) | |
Loved It (45) | |
Liked It (19) | |
It Was OK (15) | |
Did Not Like (9) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (339):
Read It (140) | |
Currently Reading (14) | |
Want To Read (162) | |
Did Not Finish (8) | |
Not Interested (15) |
6 comment(s)
I bought this book as I just felt like I needed to read this book as soon as possible and not wait until my library had it and I'm very glad I own it. I was so emersed in the story, the first part where Robin Swift grew up and at one part I thought I wasn't quite enjoying it but then I got fully emersed again. The friendship is a huge part in this as well as the serious part and discussing about racism. The end part had me so hooked. Was a long time since I've felt such an urge to continue reading and kept reading as I ate instead of browsing my phone. Highly recommend this one
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I was excited to read/listen to this book. But I'm not feeling the audiobook. Will try to get my hands on the physical book from the library instead
This book somehow manages to be hilarious and harrowing at the same time.
Highly recommend to any liberal arts major or anyone who has survived academia
Este libro trata de lenguajes, traducciones, colonialismo y magia.
Ademas parece ser que a mucha gente le encanta. Yo como gran fan de lenguajes y traducciones (soy del tipo de persona que compra una traduccion especifica de un libro, no cualquier edicion), tenia muchas ganas de leer esto y grandes esperanzas de que se convirtiera en un nuevo clasico para mi.
Pero ha sido una gran decepcion.
La primera mitad del libro esta dedicada sobre todo a estudiar y quiza es que conozco estos temas pero se me hizo muy muy pesada. Como ir a clase y escuchar a un profesor paliza.
La segunda mitad esta mejor y mejora segun se acerca al final.
El libro tiene temas importantes como la discriminacion de culturas y la explotacion del coloniarismo. Pero me parecia que a menudo tratar estos temas eclipsaba la trama y los personajes. Para el tamaño que tiene este libro, sabemos exquisitamente poco de los personajes, no hubo tiempo. Muchas muchas notas de paginas, con informacion interesante pero otra vez el libro se relentiza y aburre.
Para mi, el peor momento del libro es cuando por fin aprendemos algo del pasado de Griffin. Griffin es un personaje principal del libro y en cierta manera bastante misterioso. En algun momento vamos a aprender sobre el, en una nota de pagina!
I really liked this. I picked it up after the Poppy War. Some magic mixed in with fun etymology :
Nice comes from the Latin word for “stupid”,’
Very interesting read. The language based magic was fascinating.
I thought it was very poorly written and not fleshed out, the characters were one dimensional, the world was unimaginative for a place where magic exists, and the author was so worried you wouldn't understand the subtext that she over explained everything to the detriment of the story.
What can you read after
Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution?
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