Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution
by R. F. Kuang
Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution by R. F. Kuang holds a highly rated rating of 4.40 out of 5, based on 8.6K reader ratings. First published in 2022. The book spans 560 pages.
About Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution
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?
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | R. F. Kuang |
| Published | 2022 |
| Pages | 560 |
| Kindle Price | $15.99 |
| Genres | Fiction |
| Average Rating | 4.40 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 8,591 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution?
Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution is categorized as Fiction. Its primary genre classification is Fiction.
Is Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution worth reading?
Based on 8.6K reader ratings, Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution has an average score of 4.40 out of 5.00, which is considered "Highly Rated."
How many pages is Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution?
Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution has 560 pages. It is a longer read suited for dedicated readers.
Who wrote Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution?
Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution was written by R. F. Kuang. It was first published in 2022.
What is the ISBN for Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution?
The ISBN-13 for Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution is 9780008501839.
How much does Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution cost on Kindle?
Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution is available on Kindle for $15.99. Pricing may vary by region and promotional offers.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
