Babel

R. F. Kuang

NEW

Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence by R.F. Kuang is a genre-defying novel set in an alternate 1830s England, where translation is not just a scholarly pursuit but a source of magical power. The story follows Robin Swift, an orphan from Canton, who is brought to Oxford's prestigious Royal Institute of Translation—nicknamed Babel—to study the arcane art of silver-working, which uses linguistic nuances to fuel the British Empire's dominance. As Robin delves deeper into his studies, he becomes increasingly aware of the exploitative nature of Babel's work and the imperialist agenda it serves. Torn between his loyalty to the institution that gave him a new life and his growing disillusionment with its role in colonial oppression, Robin faces a moral dilemma that leads him to join a secret society aiming to dismantle Babel's power. Kuang's narrative is a profound exploration of language, identity, and resistance, challenging readers to consider the cost of knowledge and the price of revolution.