Babel

THE #2 SUNDAY TIMES AND #1 NYT BESTSELLER ‘One for Philip Pullman fans’ THE TIMES ‘This one is an automatic buy’ GLAMOUR ‘Ambitious, sweeping and epic’ EVENING STANDARD ‘Razor-sharp’ DAILY MAIL ‘An ingenious fantasy about empire’ GUARDIAN 'Literary super-stardom doesn't seem too far out of her reach now' THE HERALD Traduttore, traditore: An act of translation is always an act of betrayal. Oxford, 1836. The city of dreaming spires. It is the centre of all knowledge and progress in the world. And at its centre is Babel, the Royal Institute of Translation. The tower from which all the power of the Empire flows. Orphaned in Canton and brought to England by a mysterious guardian, Babel seemed like paradise to Robin Swift. Until it became a prison… But can a student stand against an empire? An incendiary new novel from award-winning author R.F. Kuang about the power of language, the violence of colonialism, and the sacrifices of resistance. 'A masterpiece that resonates with power and knowledge. BABEL is a stark picture of the cruelty of empire, a distillation of dark academia, and a riveting blend of fantasy and historical fiction – a monumental achievement’ Samantha Shannon, author of THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE R.F. Kuang’s book ‘Babel’ was a New York Times bestseller w/c 11-09-2022.

THE #2 SUNDAY TIMES AND #1 NYT BESTSELLER ‘One for Philip Pullman fans’ THE TIMES ‘This one is an automatic buy’ GLAMOUR ‘Ambitious, sweeping and epic’ EVENING STANDARD ‘Razor-sharp’ DAILY MAIL ‘An ingenious fantasy about empire’ GUARDIAN 'Literary super-stardom doesn't seem too far out of her reach now' THE HERALD Traduttore, traditore: An act of translation is always an act of betrayal. Oxford, 1836. The city of dreaming spires. It is the centre of all knowledge and progress in the world. And at its centre is Babel, the Royal Institute of Translation. The tower from which all the power of the Empire flows. Orphaned in Canton and brought to England by a mysterious guardian, Babel seemed like paradise to Robin Swift. Until it became a prison… But can a student stand against an empire? An incendiary new novel from award-winning author R.F. Kuang about the power of language, the violence of colonialism, and the sacrifices of resistance. 'A masterpiece that resonates with power and knowledge. BABEL is a stark picture of the cruelty of empire, a distillation of dark academia, and a riveting blend of fantasy and historical fiction – a monumental achievement’ Samantha Shannon, author of THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE R.F. Kuang’s book ‘Babel’ was a New York Times bestseller w/c 11-09-2022.

1828. Den forældreløse Robin Swift følges til London af den mystiske Professor Lovell. Her træner han i årevis Latin, Oldgræsk og Kinesisk for at forberede sig til den dag, hvor han vil blive optaget på Oxford Universitetsprestigefyldte Royal Institute of Translation – også kendt som Babel. Babel er verdens epicenter for oversættelse, og endnu vigtigere, for magi. Briterne har magtsuverænitet eftersom deres viden bruges i imperiets kolonialisering. For Robin er Oxford et utopi dedikeret til at tilegne sig viden. For briterne giver det dem magtsuverænitet, da den viden bruges i imperiets kolonialisering. Da Storbritanien igangsætter en uretfærdig krig mod Kina over sølv og opium, tvinges han til at tage et livsændrende valg... R.F. Kuang vandt The British Book Award Book af the Year 2023 med Babel

From award-winning author R. F. Kuang comes  Babel , a thematic response to  The Secret History  and a tonal retort to  Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell  that grapples with student revolutions, colonial resistance, and the use of language and translation as the dominating tool of the British empire. Traduttore, traditore : An act of translation is always an act of betrayal. 1828. Robin Swift, orphaned by cholera in Canton, is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese, all in preparation for the day he’ll enroll in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation—also known as Babel. Babel is the world's center for translation and, more importantly, magic. Silver working—the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation using enchanted silver bars—has made the British unparalleled in power, as its knowledge serves the Empire’s quest for colonization. For Robin, Oxford is a utopia dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. But knowledge obeys power, and as a Chinese boy raised in Britain, Robin realizes serving Babel means betraying his motherland. As his studies progress, Robin finds himself caught between Babel and the shadowy Hermes Society, an organization dedicated to stopping imperial expansion. When Britain pursues an unjust war with China over silver and opium, Robin must decide… Can powerful institutions be changed from within, or does revolution always require violence?  Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

From award-winning author R. F. Kuang comes  Babel , a thematic response to  The Secret History  and a tonal retort to  Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell  that grapples with student revolutions, colonial resistance, and the use of language and translation as the dominating tool of the British empire. Traduttore, traditore : An act of translation is always an act of betrayal. 1828. Robin Swift, orphaned by cholera in Canton, is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese, all in preparation for the day he’ll enroll in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation—also known as Babel. Babel is the world's center for translation and, more importantly, magic. Silver working—the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation using enchanted silver bars—has made the British unparalleled in power, as its knowledge serves the Empire’s quest for colonization. For Robin, Oxford is a utopia dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. But knowledge obeys power, and as a Chinese boy raised in Britain, Robin realizes serving Babel means betraying his motherland. As his studies progress, Robin finds himself caught between Babel and the shadowy Hermes Society, an organization dedicated to stopping imperial expansion. When Britain pursues an unjust war with China over silver and opium, Robin must decide… Can powerful institutions be changed from within, or does revolution always require violence?  Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

THE #2 SUNDAY TIMES AND #1 NYT BESTSELLER ‘One for Philip Pullman fans’ THE TIMES ‘This one is an automatic buy’ GLAMOUR ‘Ambitious, sweeping and epic’ EVENING STANDARD ‘Razor-sharp’ DAILY MAIL ‘An ingenious fantasy about empire’ GUARDIAN 'Literary super-stardom doesn't seem too far out of her reach now' THE HERALD Traduttore, traditore : An act of translation is always an act of betrayal. Oxford, 1836. The city of dreaming spires. It is the centre of all knowledge and progress in the world. And at its centre is Babel, the Royal Institute of Translation. The tower from which all the power of the Empire flows. Orphaned in Canton and brought to England by a mysterious guardian, Babel seemed like paradise to Robin Swift. Until it became a prison… But can a student stand against an empire? An incendiary new novel from award-winning author R.F. Kuang about the power of language, the violence of colonialism, and the sacrifices of resistance. 'A masterpiece that resonates with power and knowledge. BABEL is a stark picture of the cruelty of empire, a distillation of dark academia, and a riveting blend of fantasy and historical fiction – a monumental achievement’ Samantha Shannon, author of THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE R.F. Kuang’s book ‘Babel’ was a New York Times bestseller w/c 11-09-2022.

THE #2 SUNDAY TIMES AND #1 NYT BESTSELLER ‘One for Philip Pullman fans’ THE TIMES ‘This one is an automatic buy’ GLAMOUR ‘Ambitious, sweeping and epic’ EVENING STANDARD ‘Razor-sharp’ DAILY MAIL ‘An ingenious fantasy about empire’ GUARDIAN 'Literary super-stardom doesn't seem too far out of her reach now' THE HERALD Traduttore, traditore : An act of translation is always an act of betrayal. Oxford, 1836. The city of dreaming spires. It is the centre of all knowledge and progress in the world. And at its centre is Babel, the Royal Institute of Translation. The tower from which all the power of the Empire flows. Orphaned in Canton and brought to England by a mysterious guardian, Babel seemed like paradise to Robin Swift. Until it became a prison… But can a student stand against an empire? An incendiary new novel from award-winning author R.F. Kuang about the power of language, the violence of colonialism, and the sacrifices of resistance. 'A masterpiece that resonates with power and knowledge. BABEL is a stark picture of the cruelty of empire, a distillation of dark academia, and a riveting blend of fantasy and historical fiction – a monumental achievement’ Samantha Shannon, author of THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE R.F. Kuang’s book ‘Babel’ was a New York Times bestseller w/c 11-09-2022.

Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller from the author of The Poppy War "Absolutely phenomenal. One of the most brilliant, razor-sharp books I've had the pleasure of reading that isn't just an alternative fantastical history, but an interrogative one; one that grabs colonial history and the Industrial Revolution, turns it over, and shakes it out." -- Shannon Chakraborty, bestselling author of The City of Brass From award-winning author R. F. Kuang comes Babel , a thematic response to The Secret History and a tonal retort to Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell that grapples with student revolutions, colonial resistance, and the use of language and translation as the dominating tool of the British empire. Traduttore, traditore : An act of translation is always an act of betrayal. 1828. Robin Swift, orphaned by cholera in Canton, is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese, all in preparation for the day he'll enroll in Oxford University's prestigious Royal Institute of Translation--also known as Babel. Babel is the world's center for translation and, more importantly, magic. Silver working--the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation using enchanted silver bars--has made the British unparalleled in power, as its knowledge serves the Empire's quest for colonization. For Robin, Oxford is a utopia dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. But knowledge obeys power, and as a Chinese boy raised in Britain, Robin realizes serving Babel means betraying his motherland. As his studies progress, Robin finds himself caught between Babel and the shadowy Hermes Society, an organization dedicated to stopping imperial expansion. When Britain pursues an unjust war with China over silver and opium, Robin must decide... Can powerful institutions be changed from within, or does revolution always require violence?

Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller from the author of The Poppy War "Absolutely phenomenal. One of the most brilliant, razor-sharp books I've had the pleasure of reading that isn't just an alternative fantastical history, but an interrogative one; one that grabs colonial history and the Industrial Revolution, turns it over, and shakes it out." -- Shannon Chakraborty, bestselling author of The City of Brass From award-winning author R. F. Kuang comes Babel , a thematic response to The Secret History and a tonal retort to Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell that grapples with student revolutions, colonial resistance, and the use of language and translation as the dominating tool of the British empire. Traduttore, traditore : An act of translation is always an act of betrayal. 1828. Robin Swift, orphaned by cholera in Canton, is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he trains for years in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese, all in preparation for the day he'll enroll in Oxford University's prestigious Royal Institute of Translation--also known as Babel. Babel is the world's center for translation and, more importantly, magic. Silver working--the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation using enchanted silver bars--has made the British unparalleled in power, as its knowledge serves the Empire's quest for colonization. For Robin, Oxford is a utopia dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. But knowledge obeys power, and as a Chinese boy raised in Britain, Robin realizes serving Babel means betraying his motherland. As his studies progress, Robin finds himself caught between Babel and the shadowy Hermes Society, an organization dedicated to stopping imperial expansion. When Britain pursues an unjust war with China over silver and opium, Robin must decide... Can powerful institutions be changed from within, or does revolution always require violence?

The instant Sunday Times bestseller from legendary author R. F. Kuang is now available in a stunning Deluxe Collector's Edition — the definitive way to own this modern dark academia classic. Babel took the world by storm, captivating readers with its richly imagined alternate history of Oxford, its exploration of language and colonialism, and its unforgettable cast of characters. Now, this beloved novel has been reimagined in a luxurious collector's edition worthy of its place as one of the most celebrated fantasy novels of recent years. This exquisite edition features a foil-stamped faux leather package, patterned endpapers, stenciled edges, a ribbon marker, and luxe paper — every detail carefully crafted for the discerning collector. Seven stunning spreads of original black-and-white illustrations by acclaimed artist Nico Delort bring the world of Babel to life like never before, alongside updated spot art for the Part pages throughout. Whether you're a longtime fan looking to upgrade your shelf or discovering Babel for the first time, this collector's edition is the ultimate way to experience R. F. Kuang's masterpiece. A treasure for every bookshelf. A must-have for every Kuang fan. Traduttore, traditore : An act of translation is always an act of betrayal. Oxford, 1836. The city of dreaming spires. It is the centre of all knowledge and progress in the world. And at its centre is Babel, the Royal Institute of Translation. The tower from which all the power of the Empire flows. Orphaned in Canton and brought to England by a mysterious guardian, Babel seemed like paradise to Robin Swift. Until it became a prison… But can a student stand against an empire? An incendiary novel from award-winning author R.F. Kuang about the power of language, the violence of colonialism, and the sacrifices of resistance. 'A masterpiece that resonates with power and knowledge. BABEL is a stark picture of the cruelty of empire, a distillation of dark academia, and a riveting blend of fantasy and historical fiction – a monumental achievement’ Samantha Shannon, author of THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE R.F. Kuang’s book ‘Babel’ was a New York Times bestseller w/c 11-09-2022.

The instant Sunday Times bestseller from legendary author R. F. Kuang is now available in a stunning Deluxe Collector's Edition — the definitive way to own this modern dark academia classic. Babel took the world by storm, captivating readers with its richly imagined alternate history of Oxford, its exploration of language and colonialism, and its unforgettable cast of characters. Now, this beloved novel has been reimagined in a luxurious collector's edition worthy of its place as one of the most celebrated fantasy novels of recent years. This exquisite edition features a foil-stamped faux leather package, patterned endpapers, stenciled edges, a ribbon marker, and luxe paper — every detail carefully crafted for the discerning collector. Seven stunning spreads of original black-and-white illustrations by acclaimed artist Nico Delort bring the world of Babel to life like never before, alongside updated spot art for the Part pages throughout. Whether you're a longtime fan looking to upgrade your shelf or discovering Babel for the first time, this collector's edition is the ultimate way to experience R. F. Kuang's masterpiece. A treasure for every bookshelf. A must-have for every Kuang fan. Traduttore, traditore : An act of translation is always an act of betrayal. Oxford, 1836. The city of dreaming spires. It is the centre of all knowledge and progress in the world. And at its centre is Babel, the Royal Institute of Translation. The tower from which all the power of the Empire flows. Orphaned in Canton and brought to England by a mysterious guardian, Babel seemed like paradise to Robin Swift. Until it became a prison… But can a student stand against an empire? An incendiary novel from award-winning author R.F. Kuang about the power of language, the violence of colonialism, and the sacrifices of resistance. 'A masterpiece that resonates with power and knowledge. BABEL is a stark picture of the cruelty of empire, a distillation of dark academia, and a riveting blend of fantasy and historical fiction – a monumental achievement’ Samantha Shannon, author of THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE R.F. Kuang’s book ‘Babel’ was a New York Times bestseller w/c 11-09-2022.