Maximum Occupancy

Babel is the type of book that people will write far more important essays and critiques on. So maybe read this more as a love letter.

This is a fantasy novel with a historical fiction and alternative history touch. It takes a real place (Oxford) and tweaks with the reality to tell the story of Englands colonizing campaign. This novel is an instant classic because it tries (and succeeds) in explaining the mechanics of racism, appropriation, classism, inequality and disregard to humanity in a quest for dominance and control. It also does not ignore the many reasons people are driven to fight their oppressors and why those fights have an element of violence to it.

It is beyond pertinent to current events, even if it takes place during Queen Victorias reign and at the epicenter of the magical silver trade - the translator tower of Babel in Oxford.

It is a book with a literary flair, it is thick, it makes use of footnotes, it explains the translations that makes the magic and the world and her story work. Speeches are made by both villains, heroes, and the people caught in between that help drive home all the points that the author has to make.

The main character and voice is Robin, a boy taken from his home in Canton to join an elite group of intelligent translators needed to make them magic work. There are interludes that are placed throughout the book to give the perspective of his core group of friends and in their brevity the taste that you get is bittersweet and illuminating.

I cried at the end. And I hope to re-read this book throughout my life because I think I will always cry at the end.

After this and Yellowface, R. F. Kuang’s novel made me think that she is one of the voices of her generation (in the exact opposite meaning to what Lena Dunham proudly proclaim - as if Lena is in on the joke except for the fact that she really believes it and it really is not true no matter how many times she attempts to woo us over with her “self-deprecation”). I love her writing so much that I have transcended envy and have been in instant awe of her skill, her education, and her execution. This is very much an Waynes World “I am not worthy” gush of love for her work.

I cannot wait to read the Poppy Wars trilogy. I cannot wait til she graces us with another amazing novel that critiques where we are and what we have built. I cannot wait to see what ripples her words have amongst those who are starved of being seen and heard and represented.