Did Babel Give What It Was Supposed To Have Gave?| SPOILER FREE REVIEW [CC]
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- Опубликовано: 2 окт 2024
- Hey hey! I read her. She read me. BABEL: Or The Necessity of Violence : An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution by R.F. Kuang. This video has NO SPOILERS. I talk my feelings on the vibes, plot, characters, writing, etc. I also try to describe how this is different than The Poppy War and who this book is truly for. Let me know your thoughts in the comments if you've already read it. If you have not read it, do you still want to after hearing my thoughts? Thanks for watching!
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Kuang is one of those enviously, revoltingly productive people. We're not worthy!
the big brain move that is Kuang moving from clear, simple writing in a military novel, emulating the quick cold language in war, to high brow, extensive word choices in Babel bc she writes about language lovers like THE CONTROL ON WRITING SHE HAS?????
I don't know why, but I assumed it was going to be a super epic, super high fantasy, which I felt meh about. But after hearing you say it's more literary fantasy with light magic and has a historical academic setting? Yes. Just yes. I am definitely excited to read it!
I think this is one of my favourite reviews. I am more than ever excited to read this! Also, I hardcore agree I don't know how RF Kuang manages to handle everything she does. She also did the Tolkien Lecture recently, which I loved too!
Thank you for advising that it’s dark academia without being the tropey murder mystery type! I wasn’t really looking forward to it because I’m not not those type of books, but now I can’t wait to get this book in front of my face!
rf kuang is actually insane i can't believe how SMART she is ??????? & i can't wait to read this i just know it's going to be amazing omg
I just found your channel and I already love you 😂😂😂💛 Oh my gosh! I’m reading this right now and I’m THRIVING. It’s so good!!!
The whole Poppy War trilogy was everything to me, but I especially loved the scenes at the academy at the very beginning, so I'm very excited to see R.F. Kuang dive deeper into the academic setting (and I also love languages so I'm sure this book will be right up my alley).
Same about the academy scenes at the beginning. I loved those!!
Yesss I loved the academy parts !
I wish the whole of the Poppy wars was just Rin at the academy..
Yes! I'm so happy you loved it! You also described it perfectly. I got an arc at the store and now I'm forcing it on all of my coworkers
👏📚 because it deserves to sell all the copies ❤️
As someone who is currently pursuing a PhD, tries to have a social life and has a nano-channel here on RUclips that I struggle to post on, Kuang is an inspiration! I need her energy to be more productive! I can’t wait to read this!
Yay, I'm so happy to hear that you loved this! It's one of my most anticipated reads of the year because I enjoyed the Poppy War, and this is actually more up my alley genre-wise than that series...it's a testament to the quality of R.F. Kuang's writing actually, since I'm not super into high fantasy. It's a relief to hear Babel is genuinely good because up until this point, my most anticipated releases have not been hitting any marks this year.
Thank you so much for making this review. I hadn't heard of this book, but Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is one of my all-time favorites; just your description gave me huge JS&MN vibes, but I'm especially fascinated to know how they relate to one another, since it was referenced directly in the author's note. Susanna Clarke's use of language was one of the things that so struck me about it, so I'm amped as hell to read this
"...a thematic response to The Secret History and a tonal retort to Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell..." it definitely is and is better than both.
Thank you so so much for your spoiler free review!! I have been anticipating this release since R.F. Kuang announced it and I can't believe we are finally approaching that moment AAHH!! Your review has made me want to pick it up more! And it certainly gave better ideas as to what to expect from this book. Thank you thank you!! Blessed!! 🙌🙌😻
Kuang is the asian child our parents compare us to and wish we were, so young, so achieved. I’m such a fan
I have 60 pages left in my ARC and LET ME TELL YOU, this book is incredible! I don’t want it to end 😭
I'm really looking forward to this book, it just sounds so good. I love language (not that I'm very good at it) it's just so interesting. I've heard so many good things and I'm glad you loved it too.
I am definitely intrigued now, as someone that decided to give up on “dark academia” after reading The Secret History 😂 It sounds really interesting, specially knowing is some kind of answer to those books. I loved the Poppy War, though it took me a while to get through them as a non-native speaker, so I will definitely pick this up.
I love that you gave the advice to take time in reading this book. Many times it seems we are encouraging reading faster so you can read more. As a person who is not always the quickest reader, I feel like I have been given permission to read for enjoyment instead of completion. Wonderful review, Jess!! I will definitely be adding this to my want to read list.
*the way i screamed when the notification popped up* I wanted to read Babel since i first heard of it 🎉 now i want to read it even more ✨✨
thank you for the review and giveaway Jess 👑✨
Wasn't thinking about reading Babel but now I might
Oh I'm so relieved you love it! And also that the writing is more prose-y than TPW-trilogy, the "clean" writing style in those books was the only thing I didn't really like about them :s
Kuang sets the standard and I'm so excited to read this!!! I love the way you described it, especially in considerations to dark academia. So many people really just think of it as aesthetic of wool coats and studying but they miss out on the realities of being an actual academic and a POC at that. There had been so controversy in regards to dark academia being shallow and noninclusive (like the aesthetic got the elitsm down) and the fact that this book already seems like a big F*** You to the historically white male academia (still a huge problem today) makes me so excited
26?! wow, what am I doing with my life? lol
Imagine pushing 60! 🤦♀️
That’s how I feel!!!
i'm excited to dive into this because 'the poppy war' series is really long and a little intimidating so this being a standalone played a giant role in me wanting to read this first. i know kuang's writing can be pretty intense but everything she writes, she writes with purpose and it's great. i'm so excited >w< thanks for the spoiler-free review!
I'm someone who read the first book of The Poppy War and won't read the others. But this book sounds fantastic. Thanks for your impressions of Babel. 😊
I thought I was the only one! I Dnf’ed the first one half way through but this one sounds interesting and I’ll always give authors 3 chances :)
The poppy war was so good tho 😭 I haven’t read the following books yet only bc I have yet to order them. Sure am going to, reading babel rn tho :)
I was already really excited about this book, but now I’m even more excited! Oxford was my favorite stop in a trip I took to England some years back and I’ve loved stories set there ever since. I’m also really into linguistics and language, so this whole book is so up my alley. I’m so glad you gave us this spoiler-free vibe check, haha! Thank so much, Jess!
Great review. Thanks for the care you took in not revealing spoilers. I'm even more excited to read this now. It's great to see you excited about reading. Good luck in your move.
The academy portion was my favorite part of The Poppy War. I’ve read both The Secret History (don’t worry about reading it-it’s just elitist people being bigoted and boring) and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, so I’m looking forward to R. F. Kuang’s responses.
I love historical fantasy, so I will be all over this. I definitely want to read Babel now. Exciting!
I liked Susanna Clarke's Piranesi.. what didn't you like about Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell? (on my current TBR). TIA!
Glad I’m not the only one who didn’t like The Secret History !
It’s been a while since I’ve read JS&MN, but I remember enjoying it. It’s a big book with a lot to keep track of, but when I think back on it I appreciate its themes on otherness, class divides, and what it means to be English. I’m guessing these parts are why Kuang is bringing it up as inspiration.
A perfect novel?! Honestly, I expected nothing less. Rebecca truly is “god’s favorite” she is exponentially more talented than anyone I have ever seen. I love her so much. 😻😻😻
You are hilarious.
Omg I thought it was just me that's been having a rough reading year. Some awesome memoirs have gotten me through this month though! I am so excited to pick this up next month!
the karen karening was real intense in this one, happy that you had as good a time as i did when i read it
LMAO the karening was out of control!
6:59 PERFECT NOVEL YOU SAY...EEEEPPPP I'M EXCITED 🥳🥳🥳🥳
Just started the video, but had to comment and tell you that your earrings are SO pretty!! Such a lovely design + colour!!
Thank you 🥰
Oooh I've never heard of receiving an annotated book!!!! I wish this was more of a thing. That's an awesome idea! I think you and a friend should send each other annotated versions of a new read and react 😉
Nice video Ms. It would be awesome if you did a review of "The Silent Conspiracy" by LC Shaw.
This does seem perfect. As an Indigenous language learner/teacher and someone who is super interested in language acquisition in general I am super interested to read this after hearing your review. Literary historical fantasy actually sounds pretty dreamy to me.
This sounds like a 5 star read and I NEED IT
When you listed her accomplishments 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
I just finished it and I loved it! I agree everyone should read the author’s note. I loved the characters. I loved the academia. I loved the silver work. I loved the action! The pacing! The libraries! The pastry shops! I want a scone! Great review! I subscribed to your channel!
Such a good review! So informative and not a spoiler in sight! Thank youuu!
This review is PERFECTION.
😌😌
15:52 Jess, you’re a mess 😂😂 Babel is my most anticipated book of the year! And after watching you’re review, you make me want to read it even more! Can’t wait! Hoping the illumicrate edition is fire, too 🔥🔥
A mess I am indeed 😆
Hey Jess, this was my first video of yours I’ve seen and I’m HOOKED. Love your energy and enthusiasm, hit subscribe straight away. Will also be looking to get Babel ASAP. As I’m from the UK Oxford is not that far from me!! Thank you for a great vid and super review. Looking forward to more your content. Yours Debbie from UK
omg! I'm so excited for this book, I'm really interested in the discussions it presents :) I'm so glad you loved it, I'm desperate to get my hands on it when it comes out !
I was already hyped for this book but hearing your spoiler-free review makes me want to read it even more! I love what I've read R.F. Kuang say about it so far and I think it's going to be a really challenging and interesting book
I'm really curious to read Babel - I've heard mixed things and I've never read Kuang before!
LOVE the idea of sharing your annotations so much! You def have me more interested in this than I already was!
Thanks for this! I appreciate your letting us know at the beginning you wouldn't spoil. Lately I've been going into books knowing as little as possible, beyond basic tropes. This looks good good. :)
R.F.Kuang is on my automatically going to read author list. I’m can’t wait to read Babel!
This was so helpful! I was waiting for more details about this book without reading the blurb and you came thruuuuuu thank you! Also I cackled at you "Babel-ing" LOL great review!
so excited to read this book! this made me wanna read it more
I have been DYING for this book! I've heard so many great things... but GIRL.. the way you made me wait to know what you thought! I was like "TELL MEEEEE!" So happy you enjoyed it! I'm even more excited now. I start my PhD in August so an academic setting is exactly what I NEED
I can’t be the only one who sees BABEL as daunting 😅😅
It can be intimidating but just take your time !
I really appriciate the review and I just wanted to say that your joy about the book has made me very excited to read the book. I wish you much success and general happiness in life. Thank you!
Now, I was already way too damn eager to read this, but after this review I really can't contain my excitement anymore. This sounds like it is going to be everything I wanted it to be and more. What did we do to deserve R.F. Kuang?!?! ❤🔥
I was excited to read this before but you have now escalated that 100x!
Love this video 😂🥰 had me smiling and laughing. Can’t wait to read !
Hmmmmm I'm intrigued. I can't wait for this damn book to come out already lol
Finally got to read Babel, just finished it and came over to your channel to finallly watch your review (I watched your response to that one clown, too!), and was with you through all of it. If you ever come back to learning French, I will definitely be one of many cheerleader you will surely have! Bonne chance et prends soin de toi!✨✨✨💖💖💖📚📚📚
I'm over here like "whats my date of birth again" and Kuang is like "give me MA, MPhil, PHD, ABC all the letters!" seriously who does she think she is! (I'm not jealous, you're jealous, stop it)
Oh dear gawd...... now i HAVE to read this. And, hello, you are delightful 😀
I love all R.F. Kuang's books so much! I just read The Poppy War series and I heard about a forth novella to the series (The Drowning Faith) but I can't find it anywhere. Does anyone know if it is out yet or where to find it?
I honestly didn't want to read it. The Poppy War was just a series I had no interest in reading. But oof...you're kind of making me want to read this now... honestly I used to think I loved dark academia but then I actually made a list of all the dark academia books I hated, was neutral about or actually liked, and... let's just say the "liked" list was...very *very* small in comparison. So. ugh, idk. it sounds amazing but I've been burned by dark academia or similar like books so often...
It’s so important to go into books with the right expectations, so this video is so well done
Thank you 🥹
I understand how people could like this book, I also read the poppy war series. I really like Kuangs fresh ideas and new approaches to fantasy but thats where the good ends for me. Her character writing is too bland for me to care about any characters. I had this problem for both novels. I heavily related to the minorities in Babel yet found myself not caring about them in the way I care for other series characters like Robin Hobb or Fonda Lee
I bought this book and regret it 😢😅 I don’t think I’ll enjoy it much
Would you recommend this book for dark academia fans??
I, too, read R.F. Kuang's bio out loud and said "wtf, Rebecca"
I just finished this book yesterday and it completely wrecked me!
I thought the first half was kinda slow but then in the second half it just escalates
i've been craving a proper dark academia book, most of the popular ones have been a disappointment but i am super excited to get my hands on this once it is released!
Just pre ordered it because of your review. I wasn't going to read it but you changed my mind.
I can’t wait until I get my copy! I wanted to read the Poppy War trilogy but I was too scared!
It’s the “White Audacity” that took me out!
One of my most anticipated books this year, and now I’m even more excited for it. So glad you loved it so much!
Have an audible credit, added this to my wishlist without knowing too much about it… gonna take the plunge
I’m currently on the second book of The Poppy War trilogy but I will be getting Babel IMMEDIATELY when it comes out
Speculative fiction you say? Sign me up.
wow I have heard this book is anticipated a lot, and I didn't care about it until now, watching your review makes me want to read this book! I'm still one book left in the Poppy war trilogy but I'm in for Babel!
Loved the review, I have not read Babel but I am so excited to read it now. This will be my 1st book by this author.
you're so dang funny haha i loved this review!!
I definitely already wanted to read it, but knowing it's less typical "dark academia" makes me even more excited because I do not caaaaare about The Secret History lmaooo
I'm loving the book, in the last 1/5. I am wishing we got to see more pov from the rest of the crew other then Robin.
So excited to read this book and enter the giveaway! I haven’t read any R.F. Kuang before because I am not a big grim dark fan, and from what I have heard of The Poppy War trilogy it is GRIM and DARK.
I wasn't sure if Babel was going to be for me, but you've made me super excited!! I LOVED the school-setting part of The Poppy War and I think Babel is also going to give me the academic vibes I wanted (but found kind of lacking) in the The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake :)
"i read her. she read me." using this from now on when people ask me how my reading is going
😂😂
I just finished this today. I enjoyed it. I have a lot of thoughts, but no one to really talk to about it. I wish I had read it in High School or college so that I could have a class discussion on it.
The annotated version sounds amazing.
I am soooo looking forward to this book. I pre-ordered the Brnes and Noble special edition, and now my book box has chosen it, so I will have two special editions.
Vibes-only reviews are my fav! I don't need much to know if I want to read something or not, and honestly, my brain starts to turn off when people give a whole dang synopsis to pitch a book. I haven't read Poppy Wars because I feel like it's probably going to be too much for me if I'm not in the right headspace, but I plan on picking Babel up soon!
Also, I buy most of my books second hand and it's my dream to stumble upon a well-loved and annotated book! I love a heavily annotated book and the idea of getting to read someone else's annotations as I read along seems so special.
I just want to say in advance that I'm sorry if my form comes up three times. My phone has a glitch and it made me go back to the previous page to edit my answers. I swear I wasn't trying to submit more than once.
The book sounds really cool and it's right up my alley. Kuang is genuinely on a whole other level of productivity that I admire. Thank you for reviewing it!
I was a little hesitant about babel because I thought it was going to be high fantasy novel. After your review, I'm definitely going to read it.
I have The Poppy War trilogy but haven't yet read it. Babel sounds so good that I may read it first even though I normally like to read authors' books in publication order in case they improve with each book.
I've not read anything by R. F. Kuang, but I now feel like I definitely need to!!
Had no idea about the language thing but omg so excited!!!!! I love Kuangs work Sooooo much, like poppy war was just such a literal Location that I was in through her words it’s so epic I’m so excited for this one as a different genre but her same prowess of writing ahh 🥰🥰🥰✨
This was fun can't wait for the spoiler version
I’m so excited for this! I don’t normally enjoy high fantasy so your description confirmed that I will probably enjoy it. I’m a translator and study languages so it sounds so interesting to me. Loved your review!
I wanted to read Babel before your review and after watching it im SURE i want to read it. Can't wait until it is released!
i was hoping you'd get a copy so we could hear your thoughts on it!!!!! i'm now even more exited for this release
I'm really excited to get into this in a couple months, cause it sounds super interesting! Although I've somehow still not read Poppy War so I need to get in gear!