Everyone Should Read This Book: a review of Babel

We are two days away from it being officially Fall. With that, let me introduce you to one of the best books I have read this year, and a great Fall book recommendation.

After reading Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke earlier this year, I was desperate for more books like it-- fresh, original, and with that unusual blend of fantasy and historical fiction. The top recommendation I found was Babel, by R.F. Kuang. Let me just say, I was not disappointed.

Babel is equal parts fantasy, coming of age, and historical fiction. And the three are blended perfectly into a story that will sit with you long after reading it. Additionally, Kuang tackles issues of colonialism in the 1800's in a way that will haunt you.

Similarly to my reaction and review of Piranesi, it is hard to write a review of a book so good you dare not say too much for fear of influencing people in what to think. But that is also what a review is for: influencing. So let me try to convince you to read the best book I have read in 2024.

You will become engrossed in the academic world of 1800's Oxford written by someone who actually attended Oxford. You will experience the whimsy and lightheartedness of college life, re-living your college days, through the lens of four friends: Robin, Ramy, Victoire, and Letty. The story is told through Robin's eyes as he navigates England as a Chinese immigrant (more or less-- read the book for a deeper understanding of how he came from China to England). All four friends share one thing in common: they are all outcasts at Oxford, in varying respects. Letty and Victoire are both young women, which was rare (if not unheard of) in higher education at the time. Additionally, Victoire is Creole. And Ramy is Indian.

Follow along with Robin and his companions as they navigate the simple difficulties of college life, the painful and complex difficulties of racism and colonialism, the fantastical world of linguistic magic, the intricacies of politics, the dangers of a secret society, murder, love, grief, family, belonging, and the painful truth of how empires are built, maintained, and destroyed. You will relate with the struggles of youth; you will weep at the need for young people to grow up too quickly; and you will rage at broken political systems.

Within it all, you will feel the romance of academia, the grief and darkness of history, and the light of magic. In fact, somehow the magic in Kuang's Babel feels no less realistic than the historical accuracies within the story. Her magic is based on language and the power of words. It is equally fascinating, original, and well thought-out and researched. Since R.F. Kuang has multiple degrees within the world of linguistics, her foundation for creating the possibility of magic through words is full of depth.

This story is both original and haunting. Be prepared to cry your eyes out.

There. I don't think I can say more without spoiling anything. And this book is too good to spoil even the tiniest of plot points. Read it for yourself. Autumn is right around the corner and this would be the perfect book with which to kick off the season. If dark academia was a novel, it would be R.F. Kuang's Babel.