Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution by R. F. Kuang
It seems ironic that I'm finding the English language lacking in explaining why I loved this book so I will stick to the facts. Babel is a historical epic rooted in linguistics while also examining academia's role in colonialism. The speculative element here is key to the narrative: silver working, an enchanted craft that is responsible for powering Oxford and, in tandem, the British Empire. Through the eyes of the protagonist, Robin Swift, we begin this journey into Oxford with a childlike wonder before ultimately becoming disillusioned towards the cruel workings of the silver-powered world, a world that gravely mirrors our own. Through rich prose and remarkable intellect, Kuang has created what I would consider a masterpiece. Truly, a phenomenal book.
