Babel
- Title: Babel: or the Necessity of Violence
- Author: R.F. Kuang
- Edition: HarperVoyager
- Publication Date: January 17, 2024
- Genre: Historical Fantasy
- Number of Pages: 560
- : English
- Format: Paperback
Babel is a historical fantasy novel that explores the power of language, the violence of colonialism, and the sacrifices involved in resistance. The story follows Robin Swift, an orphan from Canton, who is brought to England by a mysterious tutor to study at Babel, the Royal Institute of Translation. At first, Babel seems like a paradise for Robin, but it soon becomes a prison, forcing him to confront the realities of imperial power and the moral dilemmas surrounding magic and translation.
R.F. Kuang, an award-winning author, delivers a thought-provoking narrative that delves into colonial history and the complexities of cultural identity, all wrapped in a captivating blend of fantasy and historical fiction.