Babel

by R.F. Kuang

Chapter 1 Reflection: Heavy hitting start! Heart wrenching description of this little boy with his deceased Mother, leaving her behind and being placed in an unfamiliar environment. I am very interested in why the professor wants Robin. I found three things most impactful: Robin not being able to keep his name, the Cantonese man and ship worker translation scene, and Robin shedding all of his past to survive. Not being able to keep his name really strips him of identity off the bat. The professor had seemingly no empathy for this matter. The translation scene was impactful due to the blatant racism and it really introduced the power of language that I assume will be prevalent throughout the book. It was clear that Robin didn’t want to translate what was said, but was in a position where he had to and he was the only one with the power to do so. Despite that power, he couldn’t change the negative impact the words would have. Last, the description of Robin completely cutting out his heritage is just devastating, but shows the atrocious expectation to conform. Not only is everyone else forgetting he’s Chinese , but he is too. And let’s also remember…. this is all being related back to language. He is speaking English in his head , speaking English out loud and dropping a lot of his accent. All of which is making him “less Chinese.”

Chapter 2 Reflection: The two items that stood out the most in this chapter was the industrial/silver depiction of London and when Robin was beaten. I thought the imagery and prose used to describe London was not only memorable, but created a clear setting and mood for the chapter. Good way to start the chapter off. As for the beating, I was not expecting that. Obviously, we frown upon beating children. I am so curious about the professor’s past. Is Robin truly his son? What’s the deal there ? Did he have another son living with him before Robin? If so, what happened to him? Why take an interest in Robin when he describes the Chinese as lazy and beneath the English? What began this endeavor of his? Also, big yuck to the professor’s friends and their opinions. After thought: I have also given a lot of thought to when Robin asks why they can’t use the silver to heal more people of Cholera. It was then said that because Silver is expensive. This really highlighted disparities and can relate to non-magical health resources today.

Chapter 3 Reflection: Similarly to chapters before , there is great structure. Each chapter is like its own little story. With this one, there is the novelty of Oxford and an initial sense of false security. Is this too good to be true ? It sure is ! The chapter ends with a value lesson: The other students will never accept them or see them as equals. I am happy that Robin at least has Ramy now. I hope they can continue a positive relationship. Now of course the most significant part of this chapter was introduction to whoever these “thieves” are. I assume they are some sort of resistance / activist group. I feel like we are seeing the start of some character development for Robin. Between retrieving the notebook for Ramy and immediately assisting the “thieves”, he is establishing some stronger personality traits that we haven’t seen yet.

Chapter 4 Reflection: We finally get to see Babel ! The set up is easy enough. The new female characters are also fun. Obviously, the most significant part of the chapter is the last couple paragraphs ! Who is this “doppleganger”? Are they related ? Was this the boy living with the professor before him?

Chapter 5 Reflection: Okay so it is confirmed. Professor is Dad and Griffin is Brother. The conversation really felt like a high stakes sale. It only makes sense that Robin wants to think about joining Hermes. It would be very out of character for him to just join sporadically. The explanation on silver relating to colonialism made complete sense. I feel like all of this information was implied, but I appreciate that Kuang ensures the reader understands what is going on and is clear with intentions. For such a dense and in depth book, it really is easy to read and understand.

Chapter 6 Reflection: The highlights of this chapter were the philosophy behind translation, Robin questioning Babel, and Robin deciding to make his mark on the tree. The philosophy behind translation was so well thought out and intriguing. It was rather impactful when Robin asks if translation is meant to bring mankind together. The reaction from his professor and even his classmates were rather negative. Again, I feel like this is Kuang really trying to cement their point. Most of the chapter was Robin’s path to a decision. I think that asking the questions that he did seems like the most logical way to determine a stance. In the end, emotion really pushed him there, but he does seem to not agree with a lot of the answers he received from Babel staff. When Robin finally makes his decision, he uses a pen to scratch a cross in the tree. Therefore, making his mark. The fact he uses a pen seems symbolic and fitting for his role in translating language. I’m very interested to see where this goes. *Side Note: Professor Lovell seems slimier and slimier as time goes on. It’s clear he dominates the Chinese translation for Babel. He also has made clear his negative views of Chinese in society and as people in general. The way he speaks about Robin’s mother is atrocious and he has had two Chinese sons despite all this. Oh and he’s married. SO…I can’t help but wonder…is he purposefully having children to for the sake of sending them to Babel? This would allow him to have a lot of control surrounding what he describes as the future of silver work. Where there is silver there is money.

Chapter 7 Reflection: This chapter expanded on the camaraderie between Robin and his cohort. He has a lot of confusion/conflict between what he is doing with Hermes and his relationship with his peers and Babel. I think that it’s fair to have these feelings. He is clearly enjoying himself and making friends, but he knows the foundation isn’t quite right. However, the last sentence was rather interesting. The sentence implies Robin is not partaking in Hermes due to a dislike for Babel, but rather that he likes it so much. A too good to be true situation. I’m interested to see what will come of this. This story definitely doesn’t follow the classic political resistance “trope” where I would expect the main character to develop a strong moral standing. Robin seems to have more motivators than that.

Chapter 8 Reflection: You tell them Robin! Don’t let those guys make you an attraction! I was shocked Robin was bold enough to stand up to the guys at the party. Rather out of character . Is the character developing ? And again , his motives always seem a liiiiittle off. Also, who is the voice he recognized during one of the Hermes encounters?!

English did not just borrow words from other languages; it was stuffed to the brim with foreign influences, a Frankenstein vernacular. And Robin found it incredible, how this country, whose citizens prided themselves so much on being better than the rest of the world, could not make it through an afternoon tea without borrowed goods.

Chapter 9 Reflection: The majority of this chapter focused on origins of words and how they change over time and through translation. I found this a really fascinating topic. It kind of feels like a large scale game of telephone. The original meaning seems to get slightly lost or distorted through translation over and over. It is also a great point that the English language is really stolen from other languages. I have never thought about it that way. Last, I’m interested to see if using “translate” on the silver will come back around. The fact it’s banned and the destruction is causes seems like a bit of foreshadowing to me.

Chapter 10 Reflection: Things are getting more high stakes! These wards are rather ruthless! Sorry about your arm Robin. Otherwise, the chapter focused more on Robin’s relationship with Griffin. I’m glad we got some more of Griffin. He’s more mysterious and intriguing than the other characters IMO.

Chapter 11 Reflection: I have some predictions based off this chapter. First off, are Ramy and Letty having a little lover’s quarrel? It kind of seems like it. A lot of angry passion maybe ? Also, I feel like the hands-on experiences with the silver all built up to the resonance explanation. It was pointed out that the resonance is important and that Babel would basically stop functioning if something were to happen to it. I wonder what would happen if someone were to use a “translate” brick on the resonance system ? Seems like a good way to take a hit at the system and destroy it pretty quick. Also, did the graduate who disappeared actually die/disappear ? Or did he join Hermes ? Also, sounds like there is more to Victoire’s reaction. Does she know something ? Is she maybe also involved in Hermes? Considering her reaction to translating the Haitian Creole texts, this could be a possibility.

Chapter 12 Reflection: There are so many questions I have about Griffin. I’m very curious what he is up to. A more public darker side of Babel is shown when people’s jobs are lost due to the silver. This is similar to technology in real life putting people out of jobs. I also felt the public shaming of the student who failed was awful. I can’t imagine that happening in real life ! That would be horrible! Finally, where does the end of this chapter leave Griffin and Robin ?!

Chapter 13 Reflection: First off , sounds like Anthony is not dead ! I fully believe Robin really saw him. However , what happened to Eveline Brooke?! And who is she ?! As a random side note , Kuang is brilliant. This book must have taken so much knowledge. I can’t even comprehend knowing that much. Last, what exactly did Robin’s silver do ?? I know that it lit up, but Robin said they knew what the light would signify in that moment. Did I miss what they mean ?? Or do we not know as readers yet ?

Chapter 14 Reflection: I figured going to that ball would not go over well. I am glad they were able to find a safer option with their peers from Babel. I am wondering if Ramy is gay? Given the time period the book is written in and the setting, I feel like the hints are subtle and it would make sense this information wouldn’t be clear. The conversation that Ramy had with Robin at the ball is what really led me to believe this. It seemed rather intense to have any other meaning? Then when Robin spoke with Letty about Ramy, there was a list of reasons that were implied to not be the truth. So that really leaves the unspoken that Ramy prefers men ? Or maybe prefers Robin? I don’t get a vibe that this will be explored much, but it could explain Ramy’s behavior with Letty.

Chapter 15 Reflection: Well things have gotten interesting. I’m not shocked about Victoire working with Hermes, but I didn’t really expect Ramy to be with her. I’m not shocked that his values align with theirs, but am just shocked that he was already working with them! Thank goodness Robin was there to save the day. It was clever how Kuang did this chapter. Robin was bound to be caught at some point and saving his friends was a noble way to get caught. It doesn’t seem Robin is fully done with Hermes, so that will lead in an interesting direction. The death of Evie is not surprising, but I am interested to know the full story. I don’t really doubt that Griffin did it, but I still want to know what happened.

Interlude Reflection: This provided some good insight on Ramy’s past and motivation for joining Hermes.

She meant Professor Lovell, Robin realized. Not Ramy. He was so relieved that he found himself engaging in the conversation.

Chapter 16 Reflection: It must be difficult to be stuck on a boat for 6 weeks . Especially with so much tension going on. I can see why each of them are upset , but at the same time, the intentions weren’t bad. The reaction is a bit extreme in my opinion. The dynamic with Letty is unique . I wonder if they will ever loop her in. I see why they don’t but it doesn’t seem sustainable.

Chapter 17 Reflection: I really enjoyed that chapter. The focus on opium was interesting and can be related to the current opioid crisis. It is just devastating what opium/opioids can take from people. Robin going back to his hometown was of course devastating and I am glad Ramy was there with him. Between that and the opium den, there is a real turning point for Robin. I think we are going to see a lot of development going forward. He is not playing around any more and I am proud of him for telling the commissioner the truth. Let that opium burn !

Chapter 18 Reflection: AYYYYYY I’ve been waiting this entire book for someone to go ahead and off the Professor. Thank goodness he’s dealt with ! I sure hope they can pull off keeping this a secret !

Chapter 19 Reflection: This was so stressful ! If they truly made that plan work, then wow. How wild. It did seem like the best plan other than them straight up being like yeah I have no idea where he is from the start. Also, Letty drives me crazy.

Chapter 20 Reflection: Things are still feeling tense and ramping up. The letters were a good find! Hopefully Hermes takes back Robin after his info sharing with the safe house. I figured Letty would find out soon enough. Her reaction was frustrating, but well done by Kuang. It was more realistic and I felt very helpless reading it. It felt like nothing would get through to Letty due to how ingrained her privilege is. She just couldn’t seem to wrap her head around what any of them were saying. I’m sure this was intentional and like I’ve said before, Kuang is brilliant. The last sentence was especially hard hitting. Even though Letty agreed to help them, it doesn’t erase the rest.

Chapter 21 Reflection: Stuff is getting real! Professor Playfair you ruined everything ! I can’t imagine everything will hold together after this. I think their time at Oxford could be done !

Chapter 22 Reflection: I am so glad we are finally learning more about Hermes ! I think the contrast between Anthony and Griffin is pretty stark. They want the same thing, but Griffin seems a lot more intense and violent . Maybe a bit of a wild card. I’m curious where the squad will fall on that spectrum.

One day Robin would ask himself how his shock had turned so easily to rage; why his first reaction was not disbelief at this betrayal but black, consuming hatred.

And the answer would elude and disturb him, for it tiptoed around a complicated tangle of love and jealousy that ensnared them all, for which they had no name or explanation, a truth they’d only been starting to wake up to and now, after this, would never acknowledge.

Chapter 23 Reflection: …………wow. There was a lot of foreshadowing in this chapter for Letty betraying them and it does make sense. But I was not expecting THAT. I guess that’s why Ramy was such a likable character . So that our hearts could be torn out. I definitely feel like Robin and Ramy loved each other. Robin is going to ruin everyone after this. I feel like he will turn full Griffin. If we are lucky, he might even be more ruthless.

She loved him, she loved him almost like Robin loved him

Chapter 24 Reflection: You….have got…..to be ….KIDDING ME! GRIFFIN. That was very unexpected. I’m so glad he came back for Robin, but like wow. I guess it really did come full circle. I hope this is not foreshadowing for what could happen at the end with Robin. I guess the one thing that Robin has going for him is that he has Victoire and Griffin had no one.

Chapter 25 Reflection: The character development is phenomenal. Alllllllll of the book really led up to this conclusion. Robin fully committing to a side. Oxford itself is also in a way a character. It has a personality and feels like it’s developing with the other characters.

Interlude 2 Reflection: Well this did not make me like Letty. She tries to rationalize her actions but I’m not buying it . I wonder how she went about betraying them and how things will change after her killing Ramy.

Chapter 26 Reflection: Well they are doing it now! A strike is always a great way to make change. As long as they can stick to it long enough, I would think they would get somewhere. However, I can’t see the other side bothering to be civil. What’s to stop them from rushing in and squashing the strike?! I have a feeling things will escalate.

Chapter 27 Reflection: I figured the resonance system would come into play at some point. A hit to the post office and transportation are all good ways to get attention. Clearly, it’s not enough though. I think the best way to hit would be money. They can also only stay holed up so long in the towers. They need something to negotiate, so I see why they are going this route with utilizing a strike. I think they should start taking out the resonance system permanently though. That’s a lot of silver to take out. It doesn’t seem like they are going to get anywhere any other way.

‘Are you telling me this country’s going to fall because of academic territoriality?’

Chapter 28 Reflection: There are two very clear sides to how to handle this strike. Victoire’s slow and steady version and Robin’s quick and ruthless version. It’s clear that Victoire follows Anthony’s line of thinking and Robin follows Griffin’s. Both of those men ended up dead. I can see pros and cons to both sides. I do think it’s worth giving parliament time to react; however, I can also see Robin’s point in causing larger disruption to get things moving. I have a difficult time getting behind just letting the bridge collapse. It seems like a slippery slope to an act of terror. The innocent people don’t deserve that. Robin clearly has a hatred towards everyone right now and his head doesn’t seem very clear. I could potentially get behind at least warning people of the collapse and trying to make sure it is clear before it collapses. The impact it can have on people getting what they need to survive that Victoire pointed out is difficult to ignore. If this were a larger group, I would wonder if they could be proactive on that front. It does not seem like that is feasible. I wonder what impact drawing things out is having on people. Is it just as severe to have this going on long term like Victoire is suggesting ? Or are people living decently in the meantime? Sending off Professor C was rather shocking. I don’t see Robin coming back from this path. As Victoire suggests, I think he will keep pushing until he dies for this cause. I just wonder how the rest of the group will fall as things get more serious.

Chapter 29 Reflection: Robin continues to not seem like he’s going to come back from this. I would also not put it past the government / soldiers to fire on innocent people.

Chapter 30 Reflection: Wow…devastating :/

Chapter 31 Reflection: What the heck does this girl want ?! She better have something good to say.

Chapter 32 Reflection: I am so disappointed in Letty. Such a shame. I figured it would come to this with Robin staying behind. I am glad Victoire still has the will to live on.

Chapter 33 Reflection: I have goosebumps. What an impactful and emotional ending. The lengths to which people will go for a cause is just baffling. It’s equally as baffling what grief can do to a person. I just knew that translate part would come into play. Their sacrifice definitely sent a clear message and I’m sure the country will suffer greatly from it. However, this will not topple the government. It might not even stop a war. It surely won’t stop racism and colonialism. It really is a hopeless and helpless feeling to know that despite all this damage and loss, evil will continue.

Epilogue Reflection: There is no denying Victoire’s strength.