

As he comes of age, he’s sent off to study at Oxford University, in the prestigious and fictional college of translation: Babel. With a natural affinity for learning languages, he’s seen as a tool for his guardian to use to ultimately expand the British empire at the expense of, well, everyone else. Robin, a boy plucked from his home in Canton as a child, is thrust into the world of language and rigorous academic study.

Highly recommend the audiobook as you get to hear the multiple languages utilized (I switched back and forth between a physical copy + the audiobook)

There are significant footnotes (similar to Jonathan Strange + Mr. But, it’s a must read.Ĭontent + Trigger warnings for racism, racist slurs, child abuse, sexism, sexual harassment, terrorism, xenophobia With a magic system steeped in historical believability, Kuang has achieved, in my opinion, one of the most profound and nuanced takes on the dark effects of colonialism. Kuang is officially on my list of autobuy authors.
