Worth The Hype? - BABEL Review
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- Опубликовано: 1 авг 2022
- My review of Babel by Rebecca Kuang!
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So, funny story about language learning and dyslexia. I am also dyslexic, but majored in Chinese. I never had any problem reading Chinese characters, and when I spoke to one of my professors (from China) about it, he had never heard of dyslexia. I've spoken to a few other parents who have kids with dyslexia and they also don't struggle with characters. So weird, but cool for us linguistic nerds.
Side note: super excited for Babel!
That's pretty interesting. Do you think it could be because Chinese characters are almost(kinda?) more like pictures compared to the western alphabets letters? What I'm saying is probably wildly incorrect but hopefully you know what I mean. Like I know they aren't pictures but they aren't really similar to letters.
@@scottgillis7369 I know exactly what you mean and that's 100% my theory as well. Another "character" based language that I struggle with reading is Korean. It's an easy alphabet to learn, but almost all of the phonetic sounds are flipped versions of one another like "oh" ㅗ and "oo" ㅜ, so I personally think it is because the different radicals that make up a Chinese character are more pictographs.
My friend made me one of those felt tie blankets that had Chinese characters on it and I laughed because I immediately realized she had tied the fabric backwards because it immediately looked wrong.
Living in taiwan, i have met a taiwanese person who has dyslexia but the caveat i'll add is that he's left handed and naturally wrote characters just entirely backwards from the start. Even his own name, he would just write all 3 characters backwards. At my calligraphy class we also have a student who is taking the class as a means to deal with his writing difficulties, and his reading difficulties (he needs all written material in large font) so im sure that dyslexia exists in some way in the chinese speaking world, but i think it seems to present itself in different ways. also i think for a lot of kids, given the certain education environment at least here in taiwan, many of these kids would not be given the same kind of help or even treated in the same way as they would in the west. as a related analogy, left handism is sometimes still frowned upon and discouraged here (as a lefty dating a lefty and having taught lefties, i know), though that is changing !
@@glass-yuzu Fascinating! Thanks for sharing.
Considering the variety of forms of dyslexia its not suprising. For example, my sister is unable to read not because the words are a jumble or the letters switch, but because she cannot retain the information she reads. She was part of a program who essentially helped her assimilate the information given to her in order to graduate. My aunt has it too, but she was able to go to university without too much difficulty. It's a really weird disorder.
My favorite part of the Poppy War and subsequent books is just how upbeat and happy the protagonists arc is.
🤨
💀💀💀
😂
Haha!
What?
Bro same
Really glad you liked this one! i'm genuinely excited to pick this up
oh my god you're that guy off youtube
Man, with all the hype surrounding this book, I can't wait! I've heard and read glowing reviews all over and it looks like Babel will meet those expectations.
Remember a great books is still just a great book! Keep expectations realistic then you can be BLOWN AWAY by really fantastic books :)
@@DanielGreeneReviews ,Vic/twuar/ is french.
Also, Google exists. This has nothing to do with dyslexia, it's just lazy 🌿
It's a damn fine book. I have a hard time deciding if I like it more or the poppy war...
It's weird, but one of the reasons I'm so excited for this is that R F Kuang could be the first author whose entire courir I can live through and watch develop.
I just finished this book. As a university student who's also doing some "radical" work when I'm not studying, this hits HARD. My criticism for sure is the writing style. I prefer if the interactions between the characters were shown rather than told.
Victoire is a French name and the French word for Victory and it is reminiscent of la belle époque.
Additionally, I am now curious about this book as I love languages and any stories that make full use of language is one I want to read.
Yeah and its pronounced Vik-twar.
It's less about language than I would have liked. Much more about conialism , revolutionary theory, and capitalism. But I still enjoyed the parts that language did play.
I'm a bookseller and I actually screamed when my store got an ARC of Babel, I read it in two days and I enjoyed every last word of it while it tore my emotions to shreds at the same time. I cannot recommend it enough, and I'm really glad you liked it Daniel!
You read Babel in 2 days?? 😳
Babel in 2 days?? Wow, respects to you man, it took me 5 days to finish it
This video reminded me I should probably continue reading "The Poppy War" because I've been at page 219 since... probably March. So, thanks, Daniel!!
Same here!!!!
I’ve been stuck halfway for months
@@mbongeni6 It's chill tho, we can always pick it up again! :))
Same with me. I stopped in the middle for months before I finished the book
I've preordered this and I can't wait to get it! Thank-you Goblin sir for reviewing it!
I really appreciate your channel - I don't have a lot of mates who read, so, I live vicariously through your videos, thank you
I got an arc of Babel and it was stunning. You could see the love and research that went into creating this book ❤️
So excited that both Broken Binding and Illumicrate are doing exclusive editions of this book! Thanks for the review
Ahhh, I can't wait!! 🤩 So stoked to hear you liked it, you're the reason I picked up the Poppy War trilogy this year and damn it was a banger.
Yes! I had this preordered and then received a NetGalley copy. I am about 1/3 through it and it is already easily vying for my favorite book of the year. I can’t wait to see how it turns out and to continue hearing other reviews.
So happy you recommended this! I picked it up because of this video, having never read any other work by Kuang, and it is easily one of the best books I've ever read.
Oof, your talk of language regarding this book has made me so much more excited than I already was. I deeply love language and how it shapes who we are, specially since I studied it in college. And if being a polyglot enhances this book in any way, I just cannot WAIT to read this.
I haven't been to your channel in a while and omg congratulations on your engagement!!!!!
I haven't read The Poppy War but have been interested in it. Babel however sounds 100% like my cup of tea. I love dark academia and since I studied languages at university the concept immediately speaks to me! Great review!
I just saw this book in an email from my local book store as an upcoming release and from the description I placed it on my TBR. And now I'm doubly excited to check it out since you praised it so highly. 9/10 that's an impressive score! Can't wait for it's release.
really looking forward to getting this. I haven't read the poppy war (actually just ordered a copy, but it hasn't arrived yet), but with all the praise you've given rebecca kuang, i'm very excited to read her work- and the premise for this new book sounds very much to my taste.
how was it
definitely one of my favorite reads for the last couple of years. Not so much of a dark academia fan, for I am in academia and to read about the gruelling reality that I go through every day its not so much of a fun experiencing.... but I am glad I gave this book a chance. absolutely incredible. I am a language nerd and do research on colonialism, so this books hit close to very important themes and aspects of my life.
i love your videos man, you're one of my favorite people
Please do more of the roasting your bookshelves!!!! They are so entertaining!!!! Love your videos❤❤❤❤❤❤
Is that the Nausicaa manga I see on the shelves back there??? 💚 Thanks for this review, I’ve been seeing Babel around, but didn’t realize its by Kuang! Definitely adding it to my TBR
Can't wait for this book! Most anticipated of the year.
thanks for this amazing review, it was exactly what I needed to hear
Arrival was my favorite movie of last decade and what it had to say about language was a big part of that. I imagine you can go a lot more in depth with that in a book versus a movie so now I'm pumped for this. I just preordered a copy from my local bookstore.
Hell yeah can't wait for this to come out!
Added to my wishlist! I love seeing an author's journey, which is why I usually ignore when people say to skip someone's earlier works.
Cool review, definitely stokes the anticipation. Had it preordered (the signed Waterstones UK edition) when it was available to. Can't wait!
Just wanted to say thank you so much for this review. Without it I wouldn’t have picked up this book and boy would I have missed out!
Really likin' the straight-forward review content!
This is my most anticipated release of the year! I can't wait!
I’ve been so stoked for this book since she announced it, I can’t wait til it comes out!
Daniel, if you're interested in novels covering the theme of language I highly recommend Genocidal Organ by Project Itoh. Its both a high octane cyberpunk action thriller as well as an exploration of language and how it effects us on a individual and societal level.
It's a brilliant book by an author who passed away far too soon and I cannot recommend it enough.
Babel was already on my list and now I'm even more excited to read it!!
Thanks for the review. My copy is already preordered.
Making my way through my ARC right now. Amazing prose. Can’t wait to finish it up.
I was waiting for this one!
Have not the read the poppy war, it is on my TBR, but you absolutely sold me on this one, Daniel. Top of the list now.
A book I was totally unaware of and one I will definitely pick up after watching this. I have never read a dark academia story that wasn't soaking in the aspects of YA literature that make it so difficult to read for me. I am excited to see how this fares on that front.
I'm so glad to hear it's great! I have an ARC and it's next on my reading list.
Been waiting for this one
I don't think I can contain much more hype for this release! Also, Kuang in LotR Jeopardy!? That is exciting!
I'm also super excited for Kuang's literary fiction debut that comes out next year as well!
Daniel: shows a french name on screen
Also Daniel: sorry to all the italians
i'm super excited for this book, it sounds like everything i love and so far seems to live up to the hype!
Great video!!! Thanks for your review!
I can't believe how different our relationship with this book was. I thought the characters were not great, the magic system was perhaps the part I hated most, and was mostly bored.
It had the worst character writing
Absolutely loved Poppy War, glad to hear this one’s also great!
I am so excited for this. EMOTIONAL JOURNEY
I just finished the Poppy War series a couple of weeks ago, thoroughly enjoyed it with mild reservations, but so looking forward to both Babel and Yellowface whenever it comes out (and LotR Jeopardy). She's looking to be a force.
I've been hearing so many good things about this book. Can't wait to buy this!
I totally thought that this was going to be a review of the language learning app lol but now I definitely have to read this book
well congrats you have made me want to read this book!
Where is this book you are talking about!? My book looks the same, even has the same artwork description and all that and even the same characters, but it completely tanked towards the end.
Nailed it the Ending was so dul , repetitive , and just a 'Filler', could have ended much sooner.
Okay this just jumped to the top of my tbr :)
I almost dropped Poppy War after book one, but it improved so much by book three that I'm stoked for this book. Speaking of prose, have you read any Guy Gavriel Kay? Under Heaven was so beautifully written that it completely shifted my scale for judging prose.
I clicked on this so fast, as I'm getting this book at the end of the month and I wanted to hear your thoughts. This will be the first review I've heard of Babel.
Love ur reviews thank you! Now I'm excited to read the book. It sounds like it's worth it.
Ooh this sounds really interesting, I might just pre-order this. It sounds like the perfect read for Autumn.
I have been a little confused about this book though because I swear I have seen another book called Babel here in the UK with a similarish looking cover!
I think there are currently around five or six editions of this book with different covers.
I'm definately going to preorder this as soon as I get home. This sounds really good after Poppy Wars.
now im excited dang it. my TBR pile is doing mad squinty eyes at me
This sounds like an interesting read, i'll check this book out.
Thanks for the review 👍
Thank you fellow dyslexic for getting me back interested in reading and also opening yourself up to stuff like manga.
I'll need to get around to reading Poppy War... so I can read this after that. I read and read and my backlog only seems to get bigger and I LOVE IT!
I didn't know of Babel before this, but you can bet your Goblin statue I'm going to read it now!
In the middle of PW 2 right now and not really loving it, but I want to finish the series. Your review makes me optimistic about Babel though, especially since you mentioned many issues with PW were improved upon. Thanks Daniel.
A FANTASY BOOK ABOUT TRANSLATORS? Well, this book just climbed to the top of this conference interpreter/translator's TBR.
I ended up disappointed in Babel. Still a fan of RF and excited to read her next project. I felt the emotional impact was not nearly as heavy as it was in the poppy war (maybe because you get more time with the characters?). Overall I appreciated the theme of how colonization ruins cultures but the pacing seemed very slow in the first half and then a sprint about midway though. I’d give it a 5/10.
Thank you from the New Zealand Goblin Community. Goblin love books and Gold
An excellenct review. Babel sounds like an intruiging book and I can't wait to see what she does after loving The Poppy War series.
I’m even more excited to read it now
Hey Daniel! First of all, love your videos. Found you through the Stormlight summary and follow you ever since. I have a question that popped watching this Babel review: Have you read the "Books of Babel" by Josiah Bancroft? Do you plan on making a review about it? Would very much like to hear your thoughts on that history.
Wish you great success!
Daniel, I must disagree.
Strongly disagree.
I am also dysl... dislex... I also have trouble reading, yet I am learning my 9th language at the moment.
The problem is most likely in a) a poor educational system, b) lack of exposure, and c) not having proper external motivators (like: I HAD to learn Spanish when I moved to Honduras).
Agreed, I was lucky enough to shift from the US public schools to a private one who helped me by allowing me to work off some money in high-school. I learned some Spanish, helped teach ESL, and due to the area I live we learned French. It honestly comes down to motivation over anything else I've found personally, currently working on studying some Russian because the language itself interests me
9th language? That's a lot.
Are you able to remember all the Grammer and words from all those different languages? Doesn't it get confusing and convulated?
@@humanfirst11 Different levels of fluency, and some dead languages I am only able to read or translate with a dictionary at hand.
I can hold a conversation in 3 or 5 languages.
As a translator, I am soooo looking forward to read this!
Do you take lysine for your cold sores? I saw amazing results. So glad you put this book on my radar.
Welp this now goes onto my TBR list... probably in physical form as well
Man, did not like Poppy War and stopped after the first book, but you convinced me to pre-order this one! Partly because the cover is so frickin good
This sounds completely up my alley, especially since I’ve lived in Oxford so know the place + The Poppy War is excellent.
Currently reading Dragon Republic so this should be on my radar after I'm done ;)
6:04 made me want to officially read it... As someone who didn't have the chance to learn the language from my country of origin, and who suffered from it, I absolutely cannot wait to read something that explores this aspect of culture! As its impact is under-estimated... Not sure it would have anything to do with my experience, but ofc it doesn't matter, three dimensional characters and great world building sounds like a good enough story no matter what!
I LOVED the Poppy War trilogy i cannot wait to get my hands on Babel
Wait I’m just learning about this book. Is it just one book coming out or do I need to read another book before it’s out? Will it be a difficult to read(I’m dyslexic af)?
Would you recommend this for those who aren't a fan of the tone of grim dark books? Not sure how dark academia varies
Gave my ARC of Babel 5 incredible ⭐️’s. Not a single sentence is wasted, each character matters, & every turning point leaves impact. Yes, bookish friends, buy, borrow, read.
I really liked The Poppy War and The Dragon Republic, and I'm really liking The Burning God, I trust your good taste in books (I actually got into The Poppy War because of your review lol), and I LOVE languages, so this was a record-fast pre-order for me!
The criticism you had of The Poppy War is the same reason I stopped reading it, but I’m eager to try this book.
I absolutely love the book even if the last few chapters broke my heart. Victoire was also my favorite character from the book 💙
Arguably my most favourite sci fi book is A desolation called peace. Specifically because how wonderfully the relationship between your identity, your culture and your language is handled in that book. It may not seem that powerful to some, but as someone for whom english isnt a first language, and has somehow become so immersed in it, it effectively transforms into one.
I dont think in my first language any more. Even though almost everyone else around me does. And this leaves me feeling a little alien to those around me. Im fluent in a bunch of languages, but i feel like an outsider in my own.
Thats why Desolation was such a powerful book for me. Coz it basically pointed out at me in particular, and gave me a shout out. And Babel seems more and more like something along those lines. SO NOW I AM HYPED
That sounds really cool. I'll be sure to give that book a read.
I'm basically the same with English. Alwaya thinking in English and find myself having to translate words back to my native language at times
@@rvantong There's this scene in Desolation where the main character is talking to her inner self(it's complicated), about how she's still native, untill she suddenly realises that even at that time she was talking to the inner self in that 2nd language and not her native.
And that scene broke me as an individual. Martine will have my endless respect for that series
As a non-native English speaker I had similar feelings reading both A Memory Called Empire and A Desolation Called Peace. Such a beautfilul exploration of culture, identity and language. I cannot stop recommending these books.
Thought this was about senlin ascends LOLOL
O! M! F! G!
A book on language, culture and translation!
I need to have it.
Once I'm done with my thesis in french linguistics and have started my literature transaltion studies that is.
I’m so glad to hear that this book was enjoyed by you. I had a lot of the same criticisms of the Poppy War trilogy and am excited to read something different from
Rebecca Kuang. She’s so smart lol so I’m curious to see how that comes through again in an entertaining way
Hey, I haven't had a chance to read poppy wars. How is it?
I Could'nt get into the poppy war but I'm really looking forward to this one!
I am so on edge for this book I will devour it when it arrives!
I dl'd an Epub copy of Babel earlier this morning, just to check if it's good. OMG! I don't want to keep going. I need to read it in a physical book. I checked our local bookstores, and it's out of stock! I have to wait 15 - 20 days before I can have it on my hands. Also, this is the first time I'm going to read RF Kuang. I'm going to invest my time next year to start the TPW trilogy.
Does anyone know if Babel is going to be book 1 of a series or if it's standalone? I don't like starting book series that aren't finished
Immediately going up my tbr, I've been looking for books exactly like that that deals with language. Another book that sound similar in how it regards language is Lexicon by Max Barry.
I don't think I've heard anyone talking about it and it's one of my favorites mostly for the use of language in that book as a concept.
Kuang. Never heard of her. Sounds fascinating. Thanks for the recommend.