Set in an alternate 1830s Oxford, R.F. Kuang's Babel follows Robin Swift, an orphaned Cantonese boy brought to England to study languages. He joins the Royal Institute of Translation, also known as Babel, where silver-working—a magical art powered by translation—drives the British Empire's power. As Robin navigates his studies and the stark realities of his position, he becomes entangled in a conflict between the institute and a secret society working to undermine Britain’s imperialistic ambitions.

Why You Should Read?

• Explore a unique blend of historical fantasy, linguistics, and dark academia.
• Engage with profound themes of colonialism, power dynamics, and resistance.
• Experience rich world-building and complex characters within an alternate 19th-century setting.
• Discover a thought-provoking narrative that challenges the foundations of empire.

About the Author

Rebecca F. Kuang is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Poppy War trilogy and the novels Babel and Yellowface. She is a Marshall Scholar, a Hugo, Nebula, Locus, and World Fantasy Award winner, and a finalist for the Astounding Award for Best New Writer. She has an MPhil in Modern Chinese Studies from Cambridge University and an MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies from Oxford University. She is currently pursuing a PhD in East Asian Languages and Literatures at Yale University.