To me, the footnotes weren’t from Kuang to us, the modern reader of a book written by RF Kuang in this universe. They are from the author of a book written in that universe and that time to a reader of the book in that world.
From that perspective, looking at Babel as a textbook or historical book existing in world it’s written about, the footnotes to me, are not as offensive or annoying.
And some people do need to be reminded that racist is bad. Look around at the world.
This is exactly how I perceived the footnotes as well. I think it’s important to note that Susanna Clarke, and specifically her novel Johnathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is a favourite of Kuang—she even has a quote on the deluxe edition of the novel that says “the book I wish I’d written.” Clarke uses footnotes much in the same way in Strange and Norrell, and it’s clear that Kuang was emulating this style in Babel.
I agree with your last point, and I’m okay with some readers feeling like Kuang is beating them over the head with the message “racism bad” because some people truly still need to know that.
This is how I read the book as well! The book is an historical text written within the universe of the book, so as the reader, I felt aware that the commentary and specifically these footnotes were intended for an audience within the book which in turn becomes part of the broader story. I definitely can see how this could make someone ultimately not enjoy the book especially if the tone of the footnotes felt condescending or over-explained, but I felt like it was set up like a scholarly text from within the Babel world and that the footnotes read a certain way because they were written for an audience within the book that might actually might need reminding that racism is bad or are only just learning about the British empire's history -- and we as the audience see this and make note (like this piece here has!). I might just be giving Kuang more leeway here because I did enjoy the book though. Either way, I found this essay very well said and appreciated the notes on how they digested this book!
This is also exactly how I perceived the footnotes! After finishing the book, I now wonder if maybe the book is meant to be partly comprised of the notes made during the occupation of the tower.
I also agree that a lot of people DO need regular reminders of how racism is bad.
I am 458 pages into Babel and you have so thoughtfully given critique to this novel. I’ve struggled through most of the book because I could see moments of brilliance but I couldn’t escape the feeling of not being trusted to read the novel in good faith. I think you’re exactly right about the question of who this was written for. Thank you for your review!!
I haven't read it but I didn't like yellowface for a similar reason. I often feel a lot of frustration when my words are misinterpreted or misunderstood so I understand the impulse to spell everything out but you have to trust your readers at least a little bit
Love this article. While I appreciated learning from the book and I recognize that writing something so research heavy must have been a taxing job. I did feel that the characters felt a bit flat at times. I was really excited for Babel because I loved The Poppy War; seeing Asian history integrated into fantasy like that was amazing.
I find that at times, R.F. Kuang’s work reflects her academic background, which is why it can feel 'heavy' or didactic for readers expecting a typical fantasy journey. While it was a stimulating read, I think it highlights a broader trend in publishing where 'research' and 'message' are starting to overshadow the actual human complexity of the characters. I’d love to see more historical fiction that feels like a deep dive into the mindset of the past, rather than just a modern reflection of it.
Love your analysis and I agree. I think, perhaps as an overcorrection to complaints in recent years about world-building being lacking in modern fantasy, authors are working very hard to build magical and immersive worlds. But perhaps what can then be lost is the realism of the characters. That being said, I mostly really liked the characters in this novel and I did feel like they were complex and had interesting motivations.
Thanks for this thoughtful essay. I was at a loss as to why I gave up on Babel, even though I was enjoying the story and world building and you help me understand.
yeah, I usually assume that stories about cultural theft are more progressive: that they are told from the standpoint of someone who already assumes the material theft of non-whites’ land, wages, lives etc., and who wants to explore the quieter kinds of violence against us. But I think, with Kuang, it’s kind of the opposite: she is so sheltered by her class that cultural theft is the only kind of theft she can really write about. And in Yellowface, that theft is made as immaterial as possible - whilst stealing a manuscript from a working-class POC author would have been materially damaging, the author in that book is wealthy AND dead.
I think her audience is wealthy, sheltered people, white or not, who may understand theoretical theft and violence but who struggle to grasp its real implications. She’s breaking down racism for those people and herself starting from a realistic point for them. It’s a bit annoying and so, so many poc authors writing popular books have the exact same wealthy prep-school backgrounds. I’m glad she’s trying, but all skinfolk ain’t kinfolk
Yellowface only works if the POC author is wealthy because it is critiquing the very 2010s identity politics where such an author would check all the boxes thus elevated to success. Also by making the theft from a dead person, it makes the main character more morally grey rather than just a villain.
Yes, I noticed that. Yellowface would have been a much different novel if the author stolen from was alive, wouldn’t it? I felt that omission too neatly chopped off yet present like a phantom limb.
You've summed up my exact thoughts on Babel much better than I've been able to myself, so thank you for this! I DNF'd it around page 150 — which, admittedly, might not've been a fair shot, so I intend to go back to it someday — mostly because of what felt like it's never ending exposition and hand-hold-y nature. I was disappointed because it came so highly recommended! As a mixed-asian person myself, I think I was hoping for an insightful or interesting depiction of the mixed experience through Robin, which ultimately did not feel like a primary focus of the book. That's through no fault of Kuang's, of course, simply my own expectations coming into it, but either way, Babel didn't offer a perspective engaging enough to make up for that in my mind. It's criticisms of colonialism and racism felt very obvious and preachy, and I often found myself wondering if it, perhaps, was written with a non-POC, non-radicalized audience in mind. Maybe, I thought, I already know too much. Maybe these ideas are mind blowing to someone different than myself. The magic system was a highlight for me; I'm surprised that it's gotten criticism! I've long been fascinated by the gaps in translation, and the idea of imbuing those with magic is ingenious. Ultimately, the concept of the novel was appealing, but it fell a bit short on its theme's delivery. Hopefully I pick it back up someday, as I'm actually quite interested in the plot!
I really liked both Babel and Yellowface!!! But I agree, I thought about how she doesn’t seem to have a target audience. I understand you need to separate the art from the artist but there’s just smt about the author’s voice that is lacking… direction? soul? Thank you for this!!!
Except now it’s practically impossible to to have faith in her after seeing how she weaponized the Palestinian genocide to justify her white liberal stance during the elections. She’s become a sell out for the very people she criticizes.
just read babel a few weeks ago and had the same feelings. i wished so much that there was a lot more nuance and opportunities for the readers to come to their own conclusions about the conflicts presented, but they’re never given that chance. i did a history degree with a focus on colonialism, so i really expected to love this book, but it kept explaining things i didn’t need explained.
i also finished “the fraud” by zadie smith recently, and while it’s not fantasy, it’s also historical fiction exploring racism and colonialism in nineteenth century england. the way that smith handles those topics felt so much more impactful and complicated, and smith lets the reader’s unease ferment for a long time. in comparison, i really felt like babel floundered a bit.
still haven’t read yellowface yet and want to get to it. hoping that kuang builds a little more trust in her readers in future works because she clearly has some interesting stuff to say.
I very enjoyed your critique. After reading complex novels, I like to look up reviews and discussions around them. As an educated, senior, white woman, I have been reading and listening to the impact of colonialism told by the colonized. My world view has very much been changed, and I have gratitude for those who have enlarged my life experience. I read Yellowface, and intellectually enjoyed it, while wondering how much of it was lifted from the author’s life. Babel grabbed me by the heart and mind.
My primary interest in reading the book was to learn more about Kuang’s writing and would Babel be a work of art? Robin Swift took me along with him on his life’s sojourn; I was in the mind of a young man who was uprooted, brilliant, creative, adolescent, alone, murderous. Days after reading Babel, I remain profoundly saddened and changed after being introduced to a young man who went through shock after shock, and became so broken by grief he could not see a way forward in this life. My maternal instinct kicked in. The fact that he was in a magical tower and in destroying himself he destroyed it, delaying Britain’s colonial expansion, was to this reader secondary. From his point of view I could see that yes, sometimes violence is necessary. I would consider Babel a work of art on its inventiveness, structure, and characterizations.
This was a great critique. My singular criticism of Yellowface (a book I loved!) was that I felt like toward the end of the book Kuang really lost faith in the audience’s ability to understand the central message of the story, and felt the need to explicitly state themes that had been otherwise really excellently woven into the narrative
Damn you put my exact thoughts on a page so eloquently! Victoire is a criminally underdeveloped character, I felt we didn't get to see beneath surface level with her until right towards the end (although it was such beautiful reading when you did). I also felt like the lead antagonist was a clearly a pantomine level of evil right from the beginning - leaving little space for discovery for the reader. I also soo agree about the over exposition- it felt like such an assumption of lower intelligence of the reader? I wonder if editing processes in novels are becoming akin to that of the ones in new tv writing- assuming low attention spans in the audience and thus creating over explanatory work (second screen test for example). That all being said, I still really did enjoy babel and struggled to put it down, and the ending brought me to tears. I'm also excited to read yellow face and other work by her!
read babel a week or so ago and this perfectly sums up my dissatisfaction with it, i almost wouldnt mind the heavy handedness if the impact of british colonialism and the intelligence of the working class, both in the book and within her audience, werent as underestimated. also the part about victorie was so real, i almost wish her interlude was longer 😭
You are absolutely right that non-white people that were under British rule didn’t need a reminder that racism is bad. It might have been written for the upper white class to teach them about the horrors their ancestors inflicted upon the world. But I liked those footnotes and little quips in the bottom. It provided a lot more context and was surprised that the revolts and bridge incident wasn’t fiction. I think non white people who don’t have knowledge of the scale of atrocities of British empire would be blown away by this. As an Indian, I wasn’t aware of the Opium wars and humiliations china faced by the British empire. That actually explains the hostility of China towards the Western world today.
To me, the footnotes weren’t from Kuang to us, the modern reader of a book written by RF Kuang in this universe. They are from the author of a book written in that universe and that time to a reader of the book in that world.
From that perspective, looking at Babel as a textbook or historical book existing in world it’s written about, the footnotes to me, are not as offensive or annoying.
And some people do need to be reminded that racist is bad. Look around at the world.
This is exactly how I perceived the footnotes as well. I think it’s important to note that Susanna Clarke, and specifically her novel Johnathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is a favourite of Kuang—she even has a quote on the deluxe edition of the novel that says “the book I wish I’d written.” Clarke uses footnotes much in the same way in Strange and Norrell, and it’s clear that Kuang was emulating this style in Babel.
I agree with your last point, and I’m okay with some readers feeling like Kuang is beating them over the head with the message “racism bad” because some people truly still need to know that.
Loooove Susanna Clarke!
This is how I read the book as well! The book is an historical text written within the universe of the book, so as the reader, I felt aware that the commentary and specifically these footnotes were intended for an audience within the book which in turn becomes part of the broader story. I definitely can see how this could make someone ultimately not enjoy the book especially if the tone of the footnotes felt condescending or over-explained, but I felt like it was set up like a scholarly text from within the Babel world and that the footnotes read a certain way because they were written for an audience within the book that might actually might need reminding that racism is bad or are only just learning about the British empire's history -- and we as the audience see this and make note (like this piece here has!). I might just be giving Kuang more leeway here because I did enjoy the book though. Either way, I found this essay very well said and appreciated the notes on how they digested this book!
This is also exactly how I perceived the footnotes! After finishing the book, I now wonder if maybe the book is meant to be partly comprised of the notes made during the occupation of the tower.
I also agree that a lot of people DO need regular reminders of how racism is bad.
I am 458 pages into Babel and you have so thoughtfully given critique to this novel. I’ve struggled through most of the book because I could see moments of brilliance but I couldn’t escape the feeling of not being trusted to read the novel in good faith. I think you’re exactly right about the question of who this was written for. Thank you for your review!!
I haven't read it but I didn't like yellowface for a similar reason. I often feel a lot of frustration when my words are misinterpreted or misunderstood so I understand the impulse to spell everything out but you have to trust your readers at least a little bit
For me, Yellowface was very ambiguous in who exactly is a hero or villain. You can make an argument either way for June & Athena
Love this article. While I appreciated learning from the book and I recognize that writing something so research heavy must have been a taxing job. I did feel that the characters felt a bit flat at times. I was really excited for Babel because I loved The Poppy War; seeing Asian history integrated into fantasy like that was amazing.
I find that at times, R.F. Kuang’s work reflects her academic background, which is why it can feel 'heavy' or didactic for readers expecting a typical fantasy journey. While it was a stimulating read, I think it highlights a broader trend in publishing where 'research' and 'message' are starting to overshadow the actual human complexity of the characters. I’d love to see more historical fiction that feels like a deep dive into the mindset of the past, rather than just a modern reflection of it.
Love your analysis and I agree. I think, perhaps as an overcorrection to complaints in recent years about world-building being lacking in modern fantasy, authors are working very hard to build magical and immersive worlds. But perhaps what can then be lost is the realism of the characters. That being said, I mostly really liked the characters in this novel and I did feel like they were complex and had interesting motivations.
Thanks for this thoughtful essay. I was at a loss as to why I gave up on Babel, even though I was enjoying the story and world building and you help me understand.
I'm glad I could be of help! It's definitely an awkward one.
yeah, I usually assume that stories about cultural theft are more progressive: that they are told from the standpoint of someone who already assumes the material theft of non-whites’ land, wages, lives etc., and who wants to explore the quieter kinds of violence against us. But I think, with Kuang, it’s kind of the opposite: she is so sheltered by her class that cultural theft is the only kind of theft she can really write about. And in Yellowface, that theft is made as immaterial as possible - whilst stealing a manuscript from a working-class POC author would have been materially damaging, the author in that book is wealthy AND dead.
I think her audience is wealthy, sheltered people, white or not, who may understand theoretical theft and violence but who struggle to grasp its real implications. She’s breaking down racism for those people and herself starting from a realistic point for them. It’s a bit annoying and so, so many poc authors writing popular books have the exact same wealthy prep-school backgrounds. I’m glad she’s trying, but all skinfolk ain’t kinfolk
Yellowface only works if the POC author is wealthy because it is critiquing the very 2010s identity politics where such an author would check all the boxes thus elevated to success. Also by making the theft from a dead person, it makes the main character more morally grey rather than just a villain.
Yes, I noticed that. Yellowface would have been a much different novel if the author stolen from was alive, wouldn’t it? I felt that omission too neatly chopped off yet present like a phantom limb.
You've summed up my exact thoughts on Babel much better than I've been able to myself, so thank you for this! I DNF'd it around page 150 — which, admittedly, might not've been a fair shot, so I intend to go back to it someday — mostly because of what felt like it's never ending exposition and hand-hold-y nature. I was disappointed because it came so highly recommended! As a mixed-asian person myself, I think I was hoping for an insightful or interesting depiction of the mixed experience through Robin, which ultimately did not feel like a primary focus of the book. That's through no fault of Kuang's, of course, simply my own expectations coming into it, but either way, Babel didn't offer a perspective engaging enough to make up for that in my mind. It's criticisms of colonialism and racism felt very obvious and preachy, and I often found myself wondering if it, perhaps, was written with a non-POC, non-radicalized audience in mind. Maybe, I thought, I already know too much. Maybe these ideas are mind blowing to someone different than myself. The magic system was a highlight for me; I'm surprised that it's gotten criticism! I've long been fascinated by the gaps in translation, and the idea of imbuing those with magic is ingenious. Ultimately, the concept of the novel was appealing, but it fell a bit short on its theme's delivery. Hopefully I pick it back up someday, as I'm actually quite interested in the plot!
I really liked both Babel and Yellowface!!! But I agree, I thought about how she doesn’t seem to have a target audience. I understand you need to separate the art from the artist but there’s just smt about the author’s voice that is lacking… direction? soul? Thank you for this!!!
Except now it’s practically impossible to to have faith in her after seeing how she weaponized the Palestinian genocide to justify her white liberal stance during the elections. She’s become a sell out for the very people she criticizes.
just read babel a few weeks ago and had the same feelings. i wished so much that there was a lot more nuance and opportunities for the readers to come to their own conclusions about the conflicts presented, but they’re never given that chance. i did a history degree with a focus on colonialism, so i really expected to love this book, but it kept explaining things i didn’t need explained.
i also finished “the fraud” by zadie smith recently, and while it’s not fantasy, it’s also historical fiction exploring racism and colonialism in nineteenth century england. the way that smith handles those topics felt so much more impactful and complicated, and smith lets the reader’s unease ferment for a long time. in comparison, i really felt like babel floundered a bit.
still haven’t read yellowface yet and want to get to it. hoping that kuang builds a little more trust in her readers in future works because she clearly has some interesting stuff to say.
oh interesting, I'll have to add the fraud to my list! yeah kuang is clearly talented and razor sharp - just need her to kill the haters in her head
I very enjoyed your critique. After reading complex novels, I like to look up reviews and discussions around them. As an educated, senior, white woman, I have been reading and listening to the impact of colonialism told by the colonized. My world view has very much been changed, and I have gratitude for those who have enlarged my life experience. I read Yellowface, and intellectually enjoyed it, while wondering how much of it was lifted from the author’s life. Babel grabbed me by the heart and mind.
My primary interest in reading the book was to learn more about Kuang’s writing and would Babel be a work of art? Robin Swift took me along with him on his life’s sojourn; I was in the mind of a young man who was uprooted, brilliant, creative, adolescent, alone, murderous. Days after reading Babel, I remain profoundly saddened and changed after being introduced to a young man who went through shock after shock, and became so broken by grief he could not see a way forward in this life. My maternal instinct kicked in. The fact that he was in a magical tower and in destroying himself he destroyed it, delaying Britain’s colonial expansion, was to this reader secondary. From his point of view I could see that yes, sometimes violence is necessary. I would consider Babel a work of art on its inventiveness, structure, and characterizations.
This was a great critique. My singular criticism of Yellowface (a book I loved!) was that I felt like toward the end of the book Kuang really lost faith in the audience’s ability to understand the central message of the story, and felt the need to explicitly state themes that had been otherwise really excellently woven into the narrative
Damn you put my exact thoughts on a page so eloquently! Victoire is a criminally underdeveloped character, I felt we didn't get to see beneath surface level with her until right towards the end (although it was such beautiful reading when you did). I also felt like the lead antagonist was a clearly a pantomine level of evil right from the beginning - leaving little space for discovery for the reader. I also soo agree about the over exposition- it felt like such an assumption of lower intelligence of the reader? I wonder if editing processes in novels are becoming akin to that of the ones in new tv writing- assuming low attention spans in the audience and thus creating over explanatory work (second screen test for example). That all being said, I still really did enjoy babel and struggled to put it down, and the ending brought me to tears. I'm also excited to read yellow face and other work by her!
read babel a week or so ago and this perfectly sums up my dissatisfaction with it, i almost wouldnt mind the heavy handedness if the impact of british colonialism and the intelligence of the working class, both in the book and within her audience, werent as underestimated. also the part about victorie was so real, i almost wish her interlude was longer 😭
I am a translator so to hear my career honored as essential and powerful was nice. We're usually low paid and unappreciated nowadays, esp with AI.
The length was a lot, but I did like it. I rarely read fantasy, so that's saying something
You are absolutely right that non-white people that were under British rule didn’t need a reminder that racism is bad. It might have been written for the upper white class to teach them about the horrors their ancestors inflicted upon the world. But I liked those footnotes and little quips in the bottom. It provided a lot more context and was surprised that the revolts and bridge incident wasn’t fiction. I think non white people who don’t have knowledge of the scale of atrocities of British empire would be blown away by this. As an Indian, I wasn’t aware of the Opium wars and humiliations china faced by the British empire. That actually explains the hostility of China towards the Western world today.
Completely agree. I also think that some scenes were very repetitive. There was a point when I stopped reading and skipped to the end.