1828. Robin Swift, orphaned by cholera in Canton, is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese, all in preparation for the day he'll enroll in Oxford University's prestigious Royal Institute of Translation--also known as Babel.
Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution
1828. Robin Swift, orphaned by cholera in Canton, is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese, all in preparation for the day he'll enroll in Oxford University's prestigious Royal Institute of Translation--also known as Babel.
Babel is the world's center for translation and, more importantly, magic. Silver working--the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation using enchanted silver bars--has made the British unparalleled in power, as its knowledge serves the Empire's quest for colonization.
For Robin, Oxford is a utopia dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. But knowledge obeys power, and as a Chinese boy raised in Britain, Robin realizes serving Babel means betraying his motherland. As his studies progress, Robin finds himself caught between Babel and the shadowy Hermes Society, an organization dedicated to stopping imperial expansion. When Britain pursues an unjust war with China over silver and opium, Robin must decide... Can powerful institutions be changed from within, or does revolution always require violence?
Reading guide
Why read Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution?
Published in 2022, Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution reflects contemporary themes and storytelling that resonates with today's readers.
Blending Fantasy with Dark Academia, this book appeals to readers who appreciate stories that mix elements from more than one tradition.
Available on Bookble for readers looking to explore R.F. Kuang's work and build a focused reading list.
Recommendations
Books like Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution
If you enjoy R.F. Kuang's voice, explore The Poppy War and Yellowface from the same author to continue in a familiar style.
Within Fantasy, readers who liked Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution often gravitate toward 1984, Project Hail Mary, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone — each sharing thematic DNA while offering a different perspective.
What is Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution about?
1828. Robin Swift, orphaned by cholera in Canton, is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese, all in preparation for the day he'll enroll in Oxford University's prestigious Royal Institute of Transla...
Who wrote Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution?
Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution is by R.F. Kuang.
What genre is Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution?
Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution falls within Fantasy and Dark Academia. Browse related categories on Bookble to find books with a similar style.
When was Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution published?
Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution was first published in 2022 by R.F. Kuang.
Is Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution available as an audiobook or ebook?
Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution is listed on Bookble — check the book page for current format availability.
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