What I read this week ⚡︎ an unpopular opinion about Babel by R. F. Kuang, plus a Dark Academia intro

[@Dawnsbookreviews]

Great video! Speaking of dark academia, I loved The Goldfinch and The picture of Dorian Gray! I just bought Stoner so looking forward to that one as well...❤

[@ingadelange1795]

Eden I love when you doing your reviews and how you desceining the plot. Keep doing it! Its very intetesting🌹❤

[@eden_ayash]

Thank you so much Inga♥️🥰 I appreciate it a lot 🤗

[@jennifera.1148]

What a bummer!! Interesting point of view on the details 💕 i dont think ill be reading this one lol as usual tho love ur aesthetics!!! 😍

[@eden_ayash]

Yeah totally a bummer 😕 thank you so much my love 😍

[@jennifera.1148]

@@eden_ayash 🥰🥰🥰

[@jamesmelichson2638]

Despite the fact that I agree with everything Eden said, I still think it might be worth a read.. (at least the first 2/3rds of the book)

[@dormelichson2204]

Thank you for this video. It's very interesting!

[@eden_ayash]

Thank you so so much! Happy to hear ♥️🥰🤗

[@harrylew]

Thanks for this. I haven't read "Babel," but I was struck by the clunky, cliched diction in the extended passage you read. I think the book needed an editor to prune its heavy-handed, hackneyed phrases.

[@mattj2118]

I agree. Just read it myself. It would be better if there was much more insidiousness to the colonialism. If many of the characters would internalize some of lessons the Empire would have them learn, it would seem more real and less forced. But alas, not a second can go by without you knowing exactly what the author thinks. And every character is too self-aware of being discriminated against, in a way that is very in line with contemporary sentiments. No buildup to gradual realization or sudden epiphany, they just know. There’s no subtlety here. There’s a lot of squandered opportunity. I am hard-pressed to think of an author who trust the reader less.

[@52darcey]

This is a fantastic comment and I completely agree! There was no subtlety here at all to her colonialism critique, which she portrayed as being run by pointedly evil cutout characters, when it is surely not that simple! She missed a real opportunity here to instead explore how the pursuit of profit leads to colonialism and the resulting cognitive dissonance arising from the justification of something at odds with purported societal values.

[@eden_ayash]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I completely agree with your assessment. The lack of subtlety in the portrayal of colonialism in the book is indeed glaring, and it would have been more impactful if the characters had internalized some of the lessons imposed by the Empire. Additionally, your point about every character being overly self-aware of discrimination, without a gradual buildup or realization, is spot on. It's a missed opportunity for deeper character development and a more nuanced exploration of the complexities of colonialism. Your insights resonate with my own thoughts on the book, and I appreciate you highlighting these aspects. It's disappointing when an author doesn't trust readers to navigate nuanced themes, and your comment adds valuable depth to the discussion, I appreciate you taking the time to share it.

[@52darcey]

Good analysis and I had similar thoughts. Other reviewers seem to think that the ending was predictable from the beginning, but like you, I think the descent into violence was completely unrealistic and at odds with the fist half of the book. I dont regret reading the book, but yes you left wondering at the end what it was all about. Our world still very much operates in the shadows of colonialism and so this is incredibly important topic. Unfortunately the writer has missed the opportunity to really explore why colonialism happens and how societies benefiting from it become complicit with the ongoing oppression required.

[@eden_ayash]

Thank you for your insightful comment! It's reassuring to hear that others had similar feelings about the book. I agree with you completely; while the topic of colonialism is incredibly important and relevant, the descent into violence in the latter half of the book did feel disconnected and unrealistic, especially considering the strong start. It's disappointing that the opportunity to dive deeper into the roots and consequences of colonialism wasn't fully explored. You raise a crucial point about societies benefiting from colonialism becoming complicit in ongoing oppression, highlighting the relevance of these themes in our modern world. Despite its flaws, I also don't regret reading the book, as it prompted valuable reflection on such vital issues and meaningful conversations about colonial legacies and their impact today. Thank you again for highlighting this!

[@SakTenny]

On the half of the book i really thought i was going to like the book 5 out of 5. I like her writing style. But from chapter 3 to the end, it was such a disappointment, i just thought it didn’t have to be that long. Thank you for your opinions!!

[@eden_ayash]

SAME! At the beginning I really thought this book is going to be IT! I think that's why our disappointment is so great 😕 Thank you so much for sharing your view 🤗 I appreciate it ✨