2023 ToB Rounds - Opening round 5, Mar 15

[Phyllis]

Space to discuss Opening round 5, Mar 15:
Sea of Tranquility vs. Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution

[Kyle]

There are a lot of big fans of each of these, so I expect this one to create a lot of furor when the winner is announced...

[Phyllis]

It's up: https://www.tournamentofbooks.com/202...

[Kyle]

Aside from yesterday, I am absolutely bombing. Ah well.

[Tiffany]

I haven't commented at all this year, but I was particularly interested in this matchup because I loved Sea of Tranquility and disliked Babel for a variety of reasons, so I am particularly happy, and a bit surprised, today.

[Kyle]

I'm not sure there are a lot of reasons to like Sea of Tranquility to be honest

[Nadine in NY]

Well, I truly loved Sea of Tranquility so I'm glad to see it advance, but - somewhat sadly - that advance has killed my perfect zero score. Gwendolyn, you win as the last woman standing! Kyle and I are right next to you, still, though :-)

[Kyle]

This is like golf, right?

[Gwendolyn]

Haha, my bracket is like the exact opposite of everything that’s happened! Nevertheless, I’m pleased with the outcome today. I didn’t love Sea of Tranquility (minor St John Mandel, in my opinion), but I quite disliked Babel (way too long and dense, overloaded with world building).