Babel by R.F. Kuang is a historical fiction fantasy that follows Robin Swift, a young Chinese boy plucked from China and enrolled into Oxford by a mysterious professor, who discovers an innate talent for linguistics and magic. During his time at Oxford, he is enrolled in an elite college within the university that uses magic and language to strengthen colonial Britain. Robin begins to uncover hidden secrets concealed within the college, and he is determined to do his best to help others. He begins to develop complex feelings regarding his country of origin and where he currently lives.
Babel is an interesting and insightful novel about the dangers and horrors of colonialism and the development of language. Kuang uses this “advanced society” of linguists to give different perspectives to different cultures and their experiences, illustrating their perspectives in the context of colonialism and imperialism. Robin actively lives in Britain—a country that despises where he is from—during a time when racism was incredibly rampant, creating a distressing but engaging narrative. The magic system within this world is also interesting as it combines elements of linguistics and magic to create a force using translation. It is dissimilar to other magic systems I have read as it is incredibly low fantasy. However, it works effectively within the context of the story. The main theme in Babel is the relationship between culture and society in regards to immigrants and expansionist imperialism. The magic is just a plot device to further the story in a fascinating way.
The dynamic relationship between Robin and the country he was born in, compared to the country he was raised in, is incredibly compelling. It creates a larger conversation in regards to immigrants; which areas they feel more “connected” to and how they discover belonging. Kuang also includes characters from different countries with a similar story in order to further enhance her perspective. The dynamics between these characters are interesting because Kuang uses them to create multiple different perspectives on a complex plot.
While I am not particularly a fan of historical fiction, the backdrop of 1800s Britain is so integral to the story that it is no longer a negative. Had the story been set in the present, it would have lost its power and appeal. Also, a common criticism of Kuang’s writing style is that her text is more academic rather than prosaic. While I do agree with this sentiment, it is not a turn-off for me, but rather a charm. Kuang writes in a style that presents information while still being connected to the story being told.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to get back into fantasy or read a book with complex themes told in a compelling way. For fans of audiobooks, the audiobook of Babel is also great. Overall, this is a great read for those who want to enhance their taste in fantasy and expand their genre experience.
