Book of the Week

Babel, or the Necessity of Violence: an Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution by RF Kuang

Recommended by Mrs Cummings

Babel is a dark academic fantasy set in Oxford in the 1820’s. It is a time of industrial revolution but rather than coal driving the economy it is the magic of translation.

The story is told through the eyes of Robin Swift who is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. Lovell trains Robin in Ancient Greek, Latin and Chinese in preparation for entrance to Oxford University's prestigious Royal Institute of Translation, also known as Babel. Babel is the world centre for silver-working, the art of enchanting silver bars with translated meanings which has given the British Empire unparalleled power. Babel’s research in foreign languages is critical to the Empire’s success.

At 500+ pages this is not a short read, but if you take it on you will be richly rewarded. It deals with ideas of belonging, friendship, languages, racism, colonialism and political revolution, and has a gripping plotline too. And as the author clearly knows Oxford and the University well, it gives a fantastic alternative view of the city of dreaming spires.

Shelved in the Fantasy Fiction section at KUA. Can be reserved on the catalogue - see here.