Category - Fiction / Fantasy
Format - Hardcover
Condition - Like New
Listed - 12 days ago
Views - 9
Wishes - 1
Ships From - Maryland
Est. Publication Date - Aug 2022
Seller Description
(Purchased the day it released but never read) 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?
Additional Information
Babel (Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition): Or the Necessity of Violence: an Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution
ISBN: 9780063021426
Publisher Description
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 resis...
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What readers are saying about this book
Summarized by Pango AI
PangoBooks readers are generally captivated by this novel, which successfully blends elements of dark academia, historical fiction, and fantasy. They appreciate the intricately detailed world, the compelling characters, and the exploration of themes such as colonialism, racism, and the power of language. However, some found the book slow to start and dense, especially with its heavy focus on linguistics and numerous footnotes. Despite this, many found it thought-provoking and emotionally impactful, praising Kuang’s meticulous research and narrative style. The book is often described as both immersive and educational, making it a standout novel for those who enjoy complex, multi-layered stories.