Colonialism, imperialism, secrets, and mysticism collide in this magic-imbued meditation on the power of words, who wields it, and how translation can be as powerful a weapon as it is a tool. Winner of this year’s Nebula Award for Best Novel, R. F. Kuang’s arcane history of using language and translation as a dominating tool of the British Empire turns traditional history on its head.
Huang explores the evils of imperialism, student revolutions, the history of violence, and terrifying powers as Babel blends magic, lore, and cruelty into a compelling story.
Babel is both smart and witty while the aspects of Huang’s plot center around silver working—the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation using enchanted silver bars—which has made the British unparalleled in power throughout the world as its knowledge serves the Empire’s quest for colonization.
If you’re in the mood for an Alternate History of the British Empire circa 1828, Babel presents a world ruled by the magic powers of translation…and treachery! GRADE: B
Have yet to read anything by her…what knocks it down to B?
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/may/20/rebecca-f-kuang-who-has-the-right-to-tell-a-story-its-the-wrong-question-to-ask
Todd, the first half of BABEL which sets up this world of silver and magic and translation thrilled me. The second half…not so much.
And, for some reason, this one isn’t being picked up by Blogspot blogs, at least, as your most recent post.
Todd, maybe I need a better translation…
I think Blogspot read the date of when you wrote this and the previous blogs as their Original Posting Date…so the previous entry stayed “the latest”…possibly WordPress did the same thing.
Todd, I suppose you’re right. WORDPRESS does a lot of arcane things.
And, Ha!