Description
Book Synopsis: Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller from the author of The Poppy War
“Absolutely phenomenal. One of the most brilliant, razor-sharp books I've had the pleasure of reading that isn't just an alternative fantastical history, but an interrogative one; one that grabs colonial history and the Industrial Revolution, turns it over, and shakes it out.” -- Shannon Chakraborty, bestselling author of The City of Brass
From award-winning author R. F. Kuang comes Babel, a thematic response to The Secret History and a tonal retort to Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell that grapples with student revolutions, colonial resistance, and the use of language and translation as the dominating tool of the British empire.
Traduttore, traditore: An act of translation is always an act of betrayal.
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?
Read more
Details
Are you ready to embark on a thrilling journey through history? Look no further than Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution. This instant #1 New York Times Bestseller will captivate you from the very first page. Written by the acclaimed author R. F. Kuang, this book is not just an alternative fantastical history, but an interrogative one, challenging our understanding of colonial history and the Industrial Revolution. With powerful prose and vivid storytelling, Babel shakes the foundations of our knowledge and takes you on a mind-bending quest for truth. Don't miss out on this phenomenal experience!
Enter the world of Babel, the center for translation and magic. As you follow the tale of Robin Swift, an orphan raised in London, you'll immerse yourself in a world of power, knowledge, and betrayal. Babel's secret art of silver working, using enchanted bars to manifest lost meanings in translation, has made the British Empire unrivaled in might. But for Robin, who is torn between his loyalty to Babel and his motherland, Oxford becomes a utopia with a hidden dark side.
Prepare to be amazed as Robin navigates the treacherous paths of power and revolution. Can powerful institutions like Babel be changed from within, or is violence the only way to bring about true transformation? Join Robin on this quest for justice as he confronts the shadowy Hermes Society and must make a life-altering decision. With its compelling themes of student revolutions, colonial resistance, and the use of language as a tool of domination, Babel will leave you breathless.
Don't miss out on this thought-provoking and emotionally charged masterpiece. Order your copy of Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution today and explore the boundaries of knowledge and power. Unearth the hidden truths of history and question the status quo. It's time to embark on a journey that will redefine your understanding of the world. Click here to get your hands on this unforgettable book now!
Discover More Best Sellers in Historical Fiction
Shop Historical Fiction
$7.76
Historical Fiction - An American Beauty: A Novel of the Gilded Age Inspired by the True Story of Arabella Huntington Who Became the Richest Woman in the Country
