< full review will be published 8/8/22 on https://reneereviews.home.blog/2022/08/08/arc-review-babel-r-f-kuang/>

Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution is R.F Kuang's newest lyrical fantasy novel releasing this fall 2022. While Kuang proclaims she went big with this story, that doesn't begin to cover how expansive this book actually is. Equal parts decadent linguaphile exploration, historical fantasy, dark academia, and revolutionary social commentary, this story refuses to be pinned down to a single genre. Readers arrive in 1830s Oxford via detour through Canton, following main character Robin Swift as he is swept from his plague-ravaged home country into the demanding hands of his savior, Professor Lovell. In this loveless arrangement Robin picks up a knack for languages and is deemed sufficiently qualified to attend Oxford's Royal Institute of Translation, or Babel. From there the story expands to cover his adventures in the prestigious college, his instruction in translation and silver-working, and the people he meets along the way.

Oxford and the college of Babel as a setting lend a dark academia mood to the story. The tower itself in which instruction for this branch of the college is located harkens back to the infamous Tower of Babel - an appropriate reference for the story. Each floor of the building has an allocated role - the ground floor contains the lobby and common citizen access, second floor is legal affairs, third floor houses the live interpreters, fourth floor is literature translation, and so on until we get to the topmost floor. This eighth floor houses the silver-working. Although Babel itself is already the most prestigious and well-funded of the Oxford colleges, renowned for their influence in world affairs and critical business functions, those who work in the silver-working department are the topmost of the social hierarchy.

Silver-working is a rare and privileged knowledge, taught exclusively at Babel and heavily safe-guarded for its critical role in every-day functions and broader British Empire superiority. However, because the nature of silver-working is rooted in the job of translation, it requires a particular type of person to successfully do the job. This is where R. F. Kuang introduces additional plot conflict and social commentary.

Silver-working requires someone with intimate knowledge of a language and is a job best filled with native speakers. This means many non-Caucasian minorities are brought into early Britain through questionable means, groomed to grow their natural talent for languages, thrust into Oxford college, and told be to thankful for their fortuitous opportunity. For this reason the cast of characters we follow is very diverse. They experience not only the trauma of a new and unfriendly country but also encounter a constant stream of vicious racism and sexism throughout the story. There's also nuance and breadth in how the racism is expressed, reminiscent of real-world experiences. For example our main character, Robin, a young man from Canton, experiences Oxford racism differently as a near white-passing person compared to one of his darker-skinned friends.

In general although there are certainly fantasy components, this book hits hard on the social commentary elements and is certainly not a light read. Not only does it cover diversity, racism, sexism, and other social schisms that form in this striated microcosm, but colonialism, social injustice, and economic disparity are also discussed as pertains to the political and social powers that act around silver as a resource. Although this book is categorized as a fantasy piece, I'd propose could be more narrowly described as historical fiction crossed with magical realism. There is magic in the story in the form of silver-working and its effects, but that's where the fantasy elements stop. You'll meet no fantastical creatures or other manifestations of magic. Instead, the meat of the story dives into how the magic of translation and silver-working impact each life in this world.

R. F. Kuang's writing is lyrical and moving, with beautiful flow. At times sentences can be a bit lengthy, but it didn't take long to grow used to the style. Babel is a long, character-driven story unique from any other fantasy I've read. If I had to draw a comparison I'd say the basic concept of the how the magic acts is similar to Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett or The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson, but the origin of the magic and everything else beyond defy comparison. I picked Babel up for the intriguing magic concept and cool academia setting, but the story exploded into something much more expansive than I could have imagined. A stunning amount of research and preparation must have gone into producing this work. A sincere kudos to Kuang and her team for creating this story! I'll have fond memories of this book for a long time to come, and encourage anyone who enjoys languages + magic to give this a try!

I will start off this review by saying that Babel is a very artistically written and dense book to get through which may appeal to some people. I LOVED The Poppy Wars so I went into this book expecting the same level of intrigue as that series. Unfortunately for me, it simply felt like reading someone’s college thesis for 600 pages straight. While the plot was good, it was barely there in my opinion. I was reading pages of pages of pages on languages and the history of words, but most of the spiels felt like the author wanted to showcase her knowledge on languages and then had to tie it into the plot of the book afterward. It felt almost forced. I loved the concept, the characters (loved loved the characters actually), and the actual plot of the book but the writing itself dragged. There wasn’t an even balance between plot and what felt like a thesis. It was difficult for me to read more than 3 pages at once before I was feeling incredibly bored. The writing style is my problem with this book, not the actual story line. If you are into dense, very long books this could be the right fit for you.

I requested this ARC and then immediately got scared and tried to put off reading it because I was worried I would have no idea what was going on and it would be "too intellectual" for me (all based off a few tweets by the author). But boy was I wrong. If any of you are hesitant about picking this book up, don't be! The prose flows so well and is very quick and easy to read. I thought I would be very confused with all the translation aspects of this book, but it was actually very interesting and highlighted how much research went into writing this story. The book draws you in immediately, and the stakes keep getting higher and higher...If I didn't have to study, I probably would have finished this in a week, but it definitely kept me hooked and wanting to come back for more.

The one thing I will say is, the reading experience as an ebook is a little annoying with the footnotes. So, if I were to read this book again, I would definitely buy a physical copy because it just makes it easier and you don't have to go back and forth between the footnote and where you left off.

This book is a literary masterpiece. It's unique and groundbreaking in the way it critiques imperialism and colonialism. I loved every aspect of it. And my main regret is not highlighting quotes because there are just some very good, iconic quotes that I still can't stop thinking about.

As someone who is brown, an immigrant, and a minority, this book spoke to me in ways that someone who is white won't exactly understand. And what I find ironic about this is that, this exact sentiment is something that is very clearly portrayed in the book with Letty and the other white professors and students. White people don't get it. They can never completely understand the horrors of colonialism, the exploitation or resources and labour, the imperialism and racism. It was refreshing to see this book state the truth without hiding behind words. That the only reason white people will care about an issue is if it is twisted in a way for them to care. An issue that affects them too, will be an issue that is worth fighting for. It honestly describes so many issues going on in our world right now, and I think that's why this book really hit me hard.

You're going to be frustrated and annoyed reading this book. Especially as you watch Robin, Ramy, and Victoire try to explain to everyone why they're fighting and what they're fighting for. And yet very few people seem to get it. It feels like speaking to a wall, which is such a mood.

This book also focuses a lot on violence and how revolution and resistance is inherently violent as it is the only way to break the system and cause change. I was a bit uncomfortable at first, especially because Griffin scares me lol, but it's true and a fact that a lot of people still don't seem to understand. We can't just change things using sweet words and pleasantries. This again is something discussed in this book, and while it is hard to read at times because it really sucks having to sacrifice everything just for the smallest of hopes that maybe someone will listen and care and stand up for the cause and change things, it was also very validating.

I don't know what else to say without getting into spoilers, but I am so glad I picked this up, especially now. It was worth the time it took to read, and I honestly would read it again to take more careful note of the commentary and highlight quotes.

5/5 stars

- For a book so concerned with etymology and language, this is one of the most linguistically anachronistic books I've ever read. Constant use of words, concepts, and phrases that most definitely did not exist in the 1830s. The characters speak and think like 21st century college students.

- This is a world in which magic ostensibly exists, but we are asked to believe that a world with magic developed exactly the same as our own world, with the same social structures, the same historical narratives, and even the exact same lines of poetry. Implausible, to say the very least.

- Insufferable narrative voice. Reading this book is equivalent to being (dully) lectured to for 600 pages. Condescending and extremely unsubtle, with no trust in the reader whatsoever. This begins with the defensively antagonistic introduction from the author... which does an excellent job, at least, of setting the tone.

- This is categorically NOT "a thematic response to The Secret History" – the two books don't share a single theme.

Finishing a book like this is equal parts pleasure and pain: pleasure in that reading something as striking and beautiful as this is everything a reader hopes to feel in a book juxtaposed by the pain of something beautiful ending and leaving these characters behind in the pages. There are few books that have brought tears to my eyes (I can still count them on one hand) but Kuang's "Babel, or The Necessity of Violence" is now numbered among them.

This is a wonderful alternate history/fantasy exploring topics of colonialism, translation, and racism through the lens of academia. While the themes of the book are at times very heavy-handed, overall Kuang does a brilliant job of tackling these topics and exposing the dark sides of academia. The "magic" system of the book, which centers on translation, is incredibly creative, and as someone who has some experience with translation, I loved and appreciated this aspect greatly. Kuang writes a large cast of characters who are interesting, well-rounded individuals, and by the end it is impossible not to form an emotional attachment to at least some of them; their struggles, their hopes and fears, are compelling and will resonate with a huge variety of readers.

I am so excited for this book to release so I can put it into the hands of customers!

I wanted to like this. I’ve already preordered it, and I was SO excited to get an early copy thanks to Netgalley! But I just found this so dreadfully dull. It’s much more a historical fiction than a fantasy, and although I enjoyed the characters and the vivid setting, the historical aspects and the constant babbling about translation and languages just bored me to death.

I now see why BABEL has been the hardest book RF Kuang has to write, and the most personal one too. As a language education major, this has hit too close to home, and as of writing, I am still too stunned to explain how much hurt and pain and hope is realized on these pages.

I'll get back to this with a full, rambling review once my heartbeat has settled, but for now, a summary:
- good discussions of contentions in linguistics and translation history, including violent erasures and Anglo-centric teaching methods. I WAS GEEKING OUT THE WHOLE TIME.
- if you like academics who fight via footnotes in academic journals: yes, this is 100% the energy of the first half of the book
- Chakravarti is a new favorite for the same reasons I love Master Yim and Master Irjah. RF Kuang knows how to write professors well, and I am a sucker for well-written professors. I started writing my open letter to him, but stopped halfway due to internal screaming.
- well-written characters, who have varying paths to revolution. too similar to the current situation here in the Philippines
- NERDY KIDS WHO SNAPPED, AND BOY, THEY SURE DID
- incisive commentary on language and empire; has not lost its focus even when events got chaotic
- representation of labor strikes and makes a bold statement that academic work is still labor in service to the empire
- tight writing and good use of Chekhov's gun technique: nothing here goes unused
- I hate Letty and her white woman tears.
- I love Victoire's ending, and I believe she deserves it. I share the same sentiments with her.
- This book is one hell of a dissertation.

Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution by RF Kuang is a beautifully written, lyrical novel. Set in an alternate 1830s Oxford where the art of translation creates magic, Babel explores language, magic, power, and colonization. Kuang creates a rich cast of characters that you feel deeply about, loving them or hating them based on the character. But all of them are fascinating, complicated characters in whom you become deeply invested. Along with a rich cast of characters, Kuang does a brilliant job of world-building and takes a familiar location and expands on it to fit in this new world version. I could not put this book down; equality excited about what would happen next and what exciting new tidbit I would learn about etymology. I highly recommend this book, especially to those who love Dark Academia.

Babel: An Arcane History by RF Kuang will be published on August 23, 2022.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Voyager for an eARC of this book.

This blew me away. First of all - I want to point out the level of research that went into these characters. I know it can be a challenge to write and dwell into different characters from different backgrounds but it’s truly amazing and refreshing to see how much thought and care rf kuang put into these characters. Her writing truly shined in this book. Babel has truly become my favourite dark written academia to date. The characters, the slow build up to the tragedy that we all know comes with dark academia - it was phenomenal and blew me away on several occasions. Babel is a book that will stick with me for the rest of my life and truly I’ll be thinking of it years to come!

Babel was an often challenging book. The subject matter is quite heavy (themes of colonialism, abuse, and racism) and the book itself was quite long. While I did enjoy the book, it took quite a while to finish. I wonder if this would have benefited from being a duology, rather than a single, large novel. The pacing was also difficult at times. Both slow and too fast, skipping over parts I'd like to have learned more about. I tend to read books that are fast-paced and shorter, so this may be a failing on my part and not the book's.

One thing that I really loved was the footnotes! I wish these were more common in fiction writing.

Overall, I liked the story, but wish it contained more about life at school. It's evident that Kuang is extremely knowledgeable, but I do wish some of the more "lecture-y" parts were more concisely written.

I’m usually such a fast reader but I wanted to cherish this book… it’s one of those that has left a mark on my soul

The queen of fantasy is now becoming the queen of dark academia… I absolutely fell in love with these characters and loved watching them find themselves. I felt what they were feeling and could hear my heart rip when theirs did. R.F. Kuang brilliantly interweaves history and fiction.

This book is perfect for fans of the atlas six that also say f the man!!!!!

A beautiful, dark, and thought-provoking fantasy that explores coming-of-age, etymology, colonization, immigration, white supremacy, industrial evolution, and finally revolution. This is not a light read at 560 pages and as some reviews suggest Ms. Kuang takes a painstakingly detailed brush to Oxford and etymology -- but I ate this all up. English is not my first language and learning English after learning Russian was challenge. Why is laid pronounced like paid but said is pronounced like bread? Why is the order of adjectives (which is an unspoken agreement): opinion-size-age-shape-colour-origin-material-purpose Noun? The book dives into how the English language (through colonization) has evolved and absorbed languages. The influence slang and class have on etymology. But also introduces a magic system based on linguistic anthropology.

At the center of this, we have four incredible scholars from various backgrounds all eager to prove themselves for very different reasons. As we learn more about Ramy, Robin, Victoire, and Letty, we learn how drastically different this group of friends is and how these differences reflect their upbringing, class, race, and also the current political climate. Inevitably these differences lead to a rift amongst friends and also the sparks of revolution. Which all culminates in betrayal, murder, and more. I won't say more to not give any plot twists away. However, if you are familiar with Ms. Kuang's other series, The Poppy War -- you should not be surprised that this is not a light or romantic tale. It is not nearly as graphic as The Poppy War which portrays (in a fantastical setting) some of the atrocities of the Sino-Japanese War.

While great detail was added to Oxford, the universities, language and more I would have loved to see more development of some of the characters. In particularly Victorie, whose past, projects, and feelings we discover in Act 4/5. Alas I also understand why it was necessary to highlight/exaggerate some of the other characters given the novel is alreay over 500+ pages. Finally, interwoven with the painstaking detail to is dialogue that ties it all together even with bits of humor. And I'll leave you with this gem:

‘You know,’ said Robin, ‘there’s a Chinese character, xiǎn,* which can mean “rare, fresh, and tasty”. But it can also mean “meagre and scanty”.’ Ramy spat the truffle into a napkin. ‘Your point?’ ‘Sometimes rare and expensive things are worse.’

Ps. This masterpiece is a standalone. A rarity amongst high fantasy. That alone deserves recognition.

Babel is a dark academia set in an alternate 1830's Oxford where translation and silverworking manifests magic. Babel is an impressive work that focuses on themes of colonialism, oppression, academia, and racism. When I first read the synopsis I was so excited for this book. I love languages, so combining that with an indictment of colonialism and racism sounded like a story I would love. Unfortunately, the story didn't quite work for me.

My biggest issue with the book was pacing. The first 50% of the book was slow. It finally picked up after the halfway point, but by that time I was tired. It also suffered from a lot of info dumping. I had to really be in the right mood to pick this book up because reading it often felt like going to a linguistic class. Kuang is obviously brilliant and you can tell that this book is inspired by her own academic background; it just sometimes seemed that she wanted to do so much and she didn't know how to do that without dumping so much information on the reader at one time.

One thing that Kuang excelled at in this book was not shying away from what she wanted to say about colonization, oppression, and racism within academia. She wrote exactly what she wanted to say without hiding it behind flowery prose or metaphors. Robin (the main character) and his character arc are other areas that really shined within the story. He went from feeling like he needed to stay safely hidden within the comfort of Babel to openly defying the institution he thought was his home.

Overall, I liked this book and I think it's such an important story, but I didn't love it; however, if you look at other reviews I'm clearly in the minority. If you like dark academia pick this up when it's released later this summer!
Thank you NetGalley, Harper Voyager, and RF Kuang for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

It took me forever to finish this book. While there is nothing "wrong" with this book, for me it was painfully slow-paced. The narrative voice also didn't really work for me. It was written as if a much older adult Robin was retelling his story, but only in certain moments within the same paragraph. And it often left me confused. There were also a lot of scenes with lectures talking in length about the process of translating. It all made me feel very dumb since I only speak one language and I don't know how these words in French, Latin, Spanish, and the other languages (there are several used) are pronounced.

I liked the characters for the most part. But I found the magic system far more interesting than the characters. The characters all seemed to be there to fill a role and the protagonist was only slightly more nuanced. This could be because the POV is from some version of his perspective, but it's hard to say.

The themes of this book were honestly the best part. Addressing the colonialism, racism (and sexism) that is too often forgotten or ignored that the British Empire took part in in the 1800s, but it was all lost in those nearly half chapter-long lectures. As was the magic system. There were also several hyperlinks for cliff notes, I didn't read all of them, but the ones I did read felt like that information could have been woven into the story and some of the lectures could have been cut or reduced. It made the book feel more less like a fiction novel, and more like a textbook.

I wanted to love this book, and it seems a lot of people who have read it do, but this book was just not for me. I skim-read the last about 20% of the book.

This book is revolutionary in every sense. I am a lover of dark academia and RF Kuang's work, so I've been highly anticipating this one (and definitely screamed when Netgalley gave me an arc).
R.F. Kuang is literally a genius. She's allowed to emotionally damage me any day.

I loved these characters and was on the edge of my seat as their journey through academics at Oxford, secret societies, and colonial resistance. This book flips the dark academia subgenre on its head and reclaims it in the best way. This book is at the intersection of historical fiction and speculative fiction and combines them seamlessly. There were a lot of race, class, and gender things in here that were informative and awful and enlightening and frustratingly similar to our world today. As the book goes on, you will probably find yourself at the crossroads of chaotic good and evil and raging to burn it all down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Edelweiss for complimentary copies of this title.
Pub Date 8/23/2022

I will read anything R.F. Kuang writes even though she breaks my heart every time. About halfway through Babel, I was still struggling to dedicate time to reading but when it hit about 48% of the way finished, I binged the rest.

I feel like I learned quite a great deal about colonialism and was once again stung by the knowledge that our world isn't that different from the silver-dependent Great Britain in her novel. Similarly, with Kuang's other works, I didn't like most of the characters but I loved all of them. The ending of this book alone bumped it up to a 4.8 star for me.

I would recommend this book to anyone that reads about economics, history, race, dark academia, magical realism, and historical fiction—really anyone that reads large tomes for enjoyment should read Babel.

Read this book while studying late at the library.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4656722315

This was very good. I keep typing out sentences, trying to translate my thoughts, but none can really capture what I want to say. So I guess Iwill keep this review short and just conclude it with the fact that I highly recommend this.

Oh, how I underestimated the level of pain that could be inflicted on me, RF Kuang has truly outdone herself.

Babel is an account of history that claws you by the throat and will forever reside in you. A gripping tale about colonialism told masterfully through acts of translation and silver workings, this was such a worthy read. The characters all were so wonderful and the complexity—*chef's kiss*.

This book has a fascinating premise with a compelling protagonist. The magic and world building are so rich. RF Kuang addresses real issues in a way that will resonate with many readers. I highly recommend this book!