Babel is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that blends historical fiction with dark academia and a touch of fantasy. R.F. Kuang has created a rich and layered story that explores language, empire and resistance in a way that feels both bold and deeply relevant.

The world-building is outstanding, particularly the depiction of Oxford and the mysterious Babel Institute. The use of translation and etymology as magical tools is incredibly clever and adds real depth to the narrative. Kuang’s writing is intelligent and immersive, and it is clear how much research and care has gone into the story.

The pacing can feel slow at times and the academic detail may not be for everyone, but for readers who enjoy a more reflective and layered read, this is a real treat. The characters are complex and flawed, and their struggles feel honest and grounded.

This is a book that challenges as much as it entertains. It is not always an easy read, but it is a rewarding one. A beautifully written and ambitious novel that stays with you long after the final page.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy.

Babel by R.F. Kuang feels both new and timeless. This book, with its intricate blend of historical fiction, fantasy, and Kuang's now trademark social commentary sets the story alight for the reader.

Set in a world where language is a source of magical power, Babel explores the life of Robin Swift, a brilliant young scholar, taken from his native China as an orphaned child and raised in London, before being brought intto the University of Oxford's translation institute—Babel—where language is harnessed to create real-world power. Through Robin's journey, Kuang tackles themes of colonialism, the exploitation of marginalised peoples, and the morally grey choices that accompany academic and political power.

What truly stands out in Babel is Kuang's ability to weave together an intellectually challenging narrative with emotional depth. The world-building is stunningly detailed, drawing on historical contexts, linguistic theory, and the beauty of language itself to create a rich, immersive world. The way language is shown as both a tool of empowerment and subjugation is brilliant, and it left me reflecting long after finishing the book.

Robin and his Babel cohort, are complex and well-developed. Each one grapples with internal conflicts, and the way their relationships grow and fall apart throughout the book. The way their personal struggles intersect with larger societal issues gives the story a sense of urgency and relevance that feels both timely and timeless.

Kuang's prose is sharp and eloquent,. The pacing is deliberate yet gripping, with every chapter building toward a conclusion that feels both earned and devastatingly poignant. Ultimately, Babel is a story about the power of language, the cost of progress, and the lengths to which individuals and societies will go to maintain control. It challenges readers to think critically about history, power structures, and their complicity in systems of oppression.

If you're looking for a book that will push your intellectual boundaries while still providing a deeply emotional and character-driven story, Babel is an absolute must-read. It's an unflinching, beautiful exploration of the complexities of language and power—and it's a book I won't soon forget.

Thank you to HarperVoyager and NetGalley for the complimentary copy of Babel by R.F. Kuang.

I enjoyed Babel, especially the intertwining of historical fact with fiction.

The book highlights the errors in history where people of different cultures were brough to England, given English names and expected to assimilate into English society and slowly forget their own cultures. The book also notes how the British Empire manipulated certain events in history for their own personal gain at the expense of the local people whom they had taken over.

While the story is based in history, the fictional tale of four friends is well written, and I found myself wanting to read as much as I could each day. I was saddened by the end of some of the main characters as I had grown to like them all.

I would die for R.F Kuang. One of my favourite fantasy writers, she absolutely knocked it out the park it this stunning dark academia novel based on the Oxbridge experience and exploring themes of colonialism and racism. Quite devastating, but that’s to be expected with Kuang!

Babel by R.F. Kuang is a captivating and emotionally charged novel that is a perfect fit for readers who appreciate complex, dark academia, and are drawn to stories that explore the intricate relationships between language, power, and colonialism, with a particular interest in the struggles of identity, loyalty, and revolution.

Christ this was good. I love how RF Kuang doesn't shy away from hard topics and makes you pay attention.
I was reading and listening at the same time. I loved how the foo-notes were narrated by a different narrator - it really cleared up the story from the extra info-y bits.
I think this book will stay with me for a long while.
Chilling, haunting, and really bloody good. unlike the British Empire which was just bloody horrible

Babel is a story but a learning exercise. If you enjoy history lessons and contemplating the philosophical roots of concepts or words, this will exhilarate you as much as it exhausts you. It will make you uncomfortable and curious.

In a rudimentary summary, Babel explores a fictionalised and learned insight into the historical period whereby the British Empire traded with China by means of sending silver whilst receiving goods like tea and porcelain. This trade arrangement meant Britain did not have an equal (or at the very least a satisfactory) trade-arrangement with China, and as a result, this led to the Empire pushing the legal-then-illegal opium market as a means of having some foothold on China’s trade and economy.

This foundation is then imagined in the context of fantasy, by making match-paired words from different languages, magical. These words can be put upon the silver bars to create more powerful magic, thereby partly propelling Britain to be the powerhouse it is.

My only regrets for Babel are its dry nature and the lack of depth to the novel’s characters. Whilst we follow the main character, Robin Swift, metamorphosising from a fraying student to his evaporating ignorance to society’s cruelty and abuse, beyond him, the characters are mere vessels to impart knowledge and convey the rather slow-paced story. And as a result of how much source-like information is within this novel, it does feel like academic material, rather than a passionate story. Consequently, it is a well-earned addition to the beloved dark academia genre.

Nevertheless, Babel, put simply, is a triumph of fictionalised world history whilst thoroughly exploring the essence of languages. It is a compelling portrayal of how Britain became the empire it was by exploiting and absorbing other world players, with an injection of magic and fantasy. The author also captures the struggle of existential identity questions for those who have long lost their homeland and native language. Colonialism, racism, exploitation and rebellion are prevalent themes, housed within a story that embodies the deliciously rich genre of Dark Academia.

One thing guaranteed with reading any of Rebecca’s books - The Poppy War trilogy, Yellowface - you will read exquisite writing whilst learn something (or two). Babel has made its mark on both my mind and heart for its appreciation of how important languages and the written word are for all; in the past, present and future.

This was actually my first book from Kuang and loved it despite how heartbreaking and hard-hitting it was. It was everything I needed it to be and more.

This is a big book and I kept putting it off for that reason but I'm so glad I finally took the leap. I loved the technical element to it and found myself quickly getting addicted. These characters quickly grew on me and I loved the complexity of Robin's character. The character development and story arc as a whole was phenomenal. Every decision and every feeling Robin felt was so genuine and realistic that I truly empathized with him.

Honestly this review cannot put into words how amazing this dark academia book was. I highly recommend picking it up!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I feel like this is a case of this book just wasn't for me but it is for so many people. I loved the writing and the storytelling. Kuang is a master at her craft. I do think that the messaging is a bit heavy handed in this one. It feels like colonisation for beginners with little to no nuance. This will drive away a lot of people and I see it negatively impacting the book's sales.

I read the entirety of this book on a flight because I could just not put it down. I really want to do a reread now that I’m not a little delirious with exhaustion. But, I do remember thinking it was incredible and definitely a new favourite. The themes of language and translation, academia as a tool of colonialism. I can’t stop thinking about it.

I wasn’t as invested in the characters, or perhaps by the end I didn’t really quite feel like I knew them as much as I would have liked. Especially Victoire felt under utilized until the very end, especially compared to the rest of the group.

Unfortunately this book did not match the hype. I didn’t manage to finish this and what I did read was a real slog. It came across as pretentious and preachy. There was no subtle and the messages the author wanted to convey felt forced.

Unfortunately my copy expired before getting the chance to read, but I’ve bought my copy and can’t wait to read and my review will be available on Goodreads upon completion. Thanks for the approval!

Babel was such an emotional read, it covers some hard-hitting topics, including racism and colonialism, building it into a world where everything works because of silver magic… whoever has the most silver, has the most advanced country with the best healthcare etc.

Honestly, I don’t quite know how to put into words how brilliant this book is. It’s thought-provoking and extremely emotional, we need more books like Babel. 🖤

Babel gets an easy 5-stars.

I could not get into this book, ultimately it was not form me and I could not finish it. It may be one for other readers

This was a fascinating and highly intelligent examination of colonialism through the lens of the acquisition of magic and the subsequent distribution thereof. I thought the core characters were well drawn, but I did find Robin quite irritating to follow, given his propensity to stubbornness and quickness to completely change his mind about something, and then obsessively follow a new path. The discussions about language and the power/problem of translation were incredibly detailed and there were times when the points being made were a bit beyond me, but that did nothing to impact my enjoyment of the book. Overall, this was a very timely and well constructed narrative that further cements R.F. Kuang as an excellent author in my mind.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

What can I say that hasn't been said at this point? An amazing book with such a real look at colonialism and continued racism, especially in academic spaces. R. F. Kuang can do no wrong!

Babel: An Intriguing Start

R.F. Kuang's "Babel" marks the beginning of what promises to be a captivating series. The world-building in this novel is impressive, introducing readers to a richly detailed and immersive setting that blends elements of fantasy and historical fiction. The author's descriptive prose paints vivid landscapes and brings to life a diverse array of cultures and characters.

The pacing of the story is generally engaging, with a mix of political intrigue, personal struggles, and magical elements that keep the reader invested. The main characters are complex and undergo significant development, making them relatable and compelling to follow as they navigate the challenges of their world.

However, while "Babel" is a promising start, it occasionally suffers from uneven pacing and a slightly convoluted plot. At times, the narrative can become overwhelming with its many threads and perspectives. Additionally, some of the secondary characters could benefit from further depth and exploration to truly shine in the story.

In conclusion, "Babel" lays a solid foundation for what could become a standout series in the fantasy genre. Kuang's writing style and world-building skills are evident, and while the book has its moments of brilliance, it still has room for refinement in terms of plot intricacies and character development. Fans of intricate, multi-layered fantasies will likely find this book a satisfying introduction to a larger saga.

Entertaining and affecting narrative about a boy named Robin Swift, raised to be a fighter ... but who learns to resist Silver, the dominant power source in a London ruling its colonies by its magical force. Robin works with others to bring a silver tower down ... the gang are well described, the stakes are high and the reader feels it is so. Gripping right away .. and hangs onto the reader well into it all (some lomguers, some stereotypical characters .. like the motherly British women who substitute for his Asian mother who'd died in the plague in Canton .. he was literally rescued from her arms... the sturm and drang gets very serious. And many die! ..

This was such an interesting and incredible read, there was such depth and intrigue. I found myself completely entranced by the story.

This is an epic book, but takes a lot of reading. The history behind the linguistics aspect is obviously very thorough and was interesting to see/hear about.

I read the first half of this book on a physical copy but veered away to other reads as needed something a bit lighter, then ultimately, finished on audio.

I actually found the audio preferable as was good how the narrator for the story and the narrator for the footnotes were different. I actually found the footnotes better in this format as it felt more fluid rather than jumping about the page.

There is so much to be said about race, class etc from the book and so many other reviewers have said it so much better than I ever could so I won't go into this.

My one sadness about this book, I wanted more of a fantasy. The silverworking was a big part of the world but I felt it didn't give a fantastical feeling to the world.

Still highly recommend and if you have access to, and can read audiobooks, that would be my recommended way to read