Babel: book review

Babel, An Arcane History, by R. F. Kuang

Alternate history Oxford, England, 1830s, where the mismatches in translation between languages powers magic. The total obsession with language is a central theme. 

It was a hard book to read. The very likable main characters always seemed on the brink of a happy resolution, until crushing twists and turns dragged them to a darker place. It can be taken as a parable on the modern techno-state, and the absolute reliance we have on all forms of technology. What happens when the modern support structure breaks down? Well, New Orleans after hurricane Katrina, for example. The people at the top of the pyramid only care about ordinary people as pawns, laborers, inputs to the system, to be exploited. I was shocked at how easy it was for the British noble class to dismiss and minimize the value of all other people and cultures. I was wishing for some happier resolution for Robin and his best friend Ramy, but I think that I knew it would not have been true to the author's setting and narrative.

I have not come to terms with what it means that I have lived my life privileged, and this book forced me to think about it. The book is well written and compelling, but not easy, so I recommend it on those terms.