Babel
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 in this unforgettable work of dark academia 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. The unique magic system of 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, a secret society dedicated to stopping imperial expansion. When Britain pursues an unjust war with China over silver and opium, Robin must decide…
- Pages
- 544
- First published
- August 23, 2022
- Language
- English
- Edition
- Ebook
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Shelved by 21 Litcadians
Reviews
Finished June 6, 2025
*❝Language was just difference. A thousand different ways of seeing, of moving through the world. No; a thousand worlds within one. And translation - a necessary endeavour, however futile, to move between them.❞* ❥ My thoughts What an experience it was to read this book and it’s one that I’m grateful for. It seemed intimidating from the outside but once I started reading, I was captivated immediately. The writing style isn’t the flowery style I usually love but its charming matter of fact quality kept me immersed. The sincerity and depth of each character no matter how unbearable some were gave this story life and ultimately broke my heart. While I know very little about the time period this takes place in and the history of Oxford, the author wrote it in a way that didn’t leave me feeling lost. The combination of historical fiction, fantasy, and dark academia worked so well and made this story unlike anything I’ve read. The reason it didn’t make five stars for me was because of the footnotes. At times, they added to the story and at times it was distracting. ❥ Trigger warnings Racism, Colonisation, Racial slurs, War, Slavery, Violence, Drug use, Death of parent, Addiction [❥Connect with me on instagram❥](https://www.instagram.com/inkstainedemotions?igsh=aTh6eTZ6dGwxMXpy&utm_source=qr)
Started May 11, 2026 · Finished May 20, 2026
There were far too many footnotes. Which would have been ok if I read the kindle or physical version because I could ignore them. But having them narrated really took me out of the story and I didn’t enjoy it.
Started March 8, 2026 · Finished March 13, 2026
Started October 7, 2025 · Finished October 15, 2025
This novel is by far one of the best books I’ve ever read. With an unforgettable command of storytelling and vivid imagery, we are transported back in time to life in Victorian England and the fight for a right to exist as a non-white, non-British person. This book’s commentary and critique of racism, identity, Otherness, corruption, and community opens the mind and challenges the reader to question beyond their comforts. Although the story is fictional, the problems within it are real—sans the magical elements of the silver work, obviously. And this book is SO well-researched. Every footnote is captivating, thought-provoking, and I personally feel they added SO MUCH to the story. As an aesthete, I loved the academic setting and the grandeur of such hallowed halls of learning. I also LOVED the inclusion of a secret society, of revolution, and the moral battle between doing what is right, and what is easy. I admired how well-fleshed out the characters were. Their highs and lows felt real: their actions understandable, even if not always agreeable. Even now, I am sobbing at the end. This is the first book I’ve read by Miss Kuang, but I will certainly be reading more of her works. I HIGHLY recommend this book.
Finished November 19, 2024
Where do I even begin? The exploration of etymology completely blew me away. It’s probably my favorite part of the book. I’ve never thought of myself as someone with a deep love for language, but Kuang’s writing made me rethink that entirely. Her style can feel dense at times, almost like you’re reading a lecture or textbook. While the deep dives into etymology and language history are heavy, they’re also so immersive that it’s impossible not to get swept up in the story. The world-building is stunning and rich, and the magical aspects are explained in a way that’s easy to follow, even though the magic itself doesn’t take center stage until nearly halfway through the book. The themes hit hard. This story left me feeling ashamed of some aspects of my own culture and history and made me think differently about the relationships between races, power, and colonialism. The cost of knowledge, who gets to wield it, and at what expense are all brought into sharp, painful focus. Once I hit the halfway mark, it was like a switch flipped - the pace picked up, and I couldn’t put it down. Twists, turns, and shocking revelations kept me gripped right until the very end. By the time I finished, I felt heartbroken, awed, and inspired all at once. It’s hard to put into words just how much this book affected me. It’s one of those stories that lingers, that demands you sit with it and think for a long time after turning the last page. I know I won’t forget it anytime soon.
Finished May 30, 2026
This was a bit of a rocky start for me. Early on, I found myself pretty bored and really struggled with the pacing. Once I started ignoring the footnotes my enjoyment increased. I started to appreciate this more once each characters morality was stressed to the last straw. Once Robin, Remy, Letty, and Victoie’s morals get to the breaking point we get to see what each of them are really made of and it was what kept me wanting to read this.
Started May 25, 2025 · Finished May 31, 2025
- challengingdarkreflectivesadSlow-paced
Finished September 1, 2025