--- product_id: 662381931 title: "Babel" brand: "r.f. kuang" price: "€ 66.87" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.at/products/662381931-babel store_origin: AT region: Austria --- # Babel **Brand:** r.f. kuang **Price:** € 66.87 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Babel by r.f. kuang - **How much does it cost?** € 66.87 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.at](https://www.desertcart.at/products/662381931-babel) ## Best For - r.f. kuang enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted r.f. kuang brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description 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? ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Dimensions | 5.08 x 1.38 x 7.8 inches | | Isbn 10 | 0008501858 | | Isbn 13 | 978-0008501853 | | Item Weight | 2.31 pounds | | Language | English | | Print Length | 546 pages | | Publication Date | August 17, 2023 | | Publisher | HARPER COLLINS | ## Images ![Babel - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91+i+FB1BsL.jpg) ![Babel - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61XdMS1p2HL.jpg) ![Babel - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51OSHqzyELL.jpg) ![Babel - Image 4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61uItFmC0JL.jpg) ![Babel - Image 5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61cbbYUmuYL.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Format** options. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ There are no words... *by on Reviewed in the United States February 7, 2026* I found this book several years ago through a social media post recommending “five-star reads” and it could not have been more right. I remained interested, and even though it took a while to get into my hands and mind, it was well worth the read. The author is a brilliant writer, full of wisdom and wit. What surprised me most about this book was how quickly it hooked me. Was it a fast read? Absolutely not. Babel was a slow and brutal burn that took way longer than I thought it would. Not because it was uninteresting, but because it was fascinating. I found myself looking up so many words, from vocabulary definitions to synonyms to overall new ways to say a word in a different language. I learned so many new things from this book and enjoyed how quickly I related to the characters. I loved taking the journey with Robin from Canton to Babel, growing with him from a boy, and discovering a world bigger than he was prepared for. It was like I was growing up all over again, picking up new pieces to a puzzle I have long since given up on. Some of my favorite scenes involved heavy dialogue, unknown words, and plenty of banter. I am so glad this book took its time because its impact grew with every page. The theme of this book centers around racism, colonizing, and the control of people. Some parts were challenging, and my heart hurt, but it is good to remind ourselves that we are strong and persistent, even within the words of a book. Especially words that can be pulled out into lived lives and be so heavy on our reality. If this book were turned into a movie or series, it would have to be handled delicately so as to preserve the message of the author and Robin Swift. I would recommend this book to anyone who is “not like” everyone else, those who take pride in their differences, while respecting their similarities with others. To individuals that stand tall, know who they are, but know fairness, equality, and patience. Readers who know that justice comes with a price but will not shy away from what they believe. The magic of language and all it stands for, the world building with Oxford and translators, the fantastical dive into academia and friendship, the thrill of powering the world and those who oppose it, the emotional rollercoaster with the Babblers quartet, the knowledge shared from Kuang through scholars, the tower of information and the place in which it stands; all of this looks to separate those willing to lead and make a difference, from those who want to remain on the sidelines, and follow. This book will take its toll on you, which will make you think your way in circles as you question things you’ve seen, heard, and learned. I can’t say what I think clearly, but pick up this story, read it. Reading this book is unlike anything I have experienced and will stay with me long after. I cried (boy, did I cry), I laughed, and I raged. I loved every minute of it, I wish I was still reading it and have no idea what I will do now. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Intriguing *by on Reviewed in the United States August 1, 2026* I gave it four stars but it would be 4.5 if that were an option. I love books that make me think about possibilities and also teach me some history. This writer is brilliant and is clearly bursting with imagination surrounding their academic pursuits. Part of me wanted it to be two books: one about the four friends and the evil colonists, and another about etymology and fantasy. But it was intriguing and mostly worked. The writing is excellent. The history is thought provoking. The end dragged a little. I recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction and contemplations about the trappings of higher education and the institutions it builds. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazing read! 10/10 story and amazing symbolism *by on Reviewed in the United States September 1, 2024* This is the first book in a while that's left me truly speechless. It starts off sad, and slowly builds until Chekhov's gun fires and the tower comes crumbling down.There are so many things I could say about this book, I'm not really sure where to begin, so I guess I'll start at the beginning. At the start of the book, Babel is shown as a wonderful and amazing creation that benefits all. However even then you see the mask begin to slip, the hints of cruelty and indifference. As the story continues, the mask slips more and more until you're staring into the mass of harm and rot Babel had become, still keeping up its smile even with the newly visible blood dripping from its wealth.Speaking of slow changes in perspective, Robin was an amazing choice as the main character! He starts off falling into the appeal of Babel and what it offers, buying into its disguise as he's gifted the riches stolen from foreign lands without understanding the pain that got it there. There's even a scene in the book early on where Robin sees a homeless family and tosses literal pennies from his limitless budget at them, which was a perfect metaphor for how Babel as a whole acted. Tossing pennies at the poor people while patting itself on the back and ignoring the actual horrors of what's happening. As the story goes on though, he starts seeing the cracks in the walls and the gaps in the mask. Watching his character's descent from a peaceful but cowardly kid into the determined martyr that was willing to tear down an empire with its own creation was somehow both extremely satisfying and extremely haunting.The commentary on violence was also incredibly thought out and explained. One thing this book did particularly well was showing arguments for both sides. Neither the violent nor the peaceful side were dumbed down to make the message easier, but the effects and results of the actions still made an extremely convincing argument. Another thing I loved about this book was the realism when showing the ways the characters affected the world. It showed clearly that revolutions weren't just everyone vs the government, the fighting isn't glamorous or fair, and the people's reactions and ideas were always reasonable for their character.Babel as a whole also makes an amazing metaphor. It shows you the side you'd see if you lived there at the time, all the luxury and none of the violence. The people weren't shown the silver mines, or the opium dens, or the fields of plants entire cities were leveled to grow. It really made me process for the first time why it took so long for significant movements against colonialism to form. This book also did an amazing job of showing that some people will stare directly at the belly of the beast and still choose to look away since that's easier than confronting what they'd ignored for years.All of that coming to an end as Babel, doomed to one day fall beneath its own claws, was crushed by the very thing it claimed to idealize and fought to protect. The languages and silver stolen from faraway lands became the very things that brought about Babel's downfall. ## Frequently Bought Together - Babel: The SUNDAY TIMES and #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestseller - The Secret History - White Nights – Fyodor Dostoyevsky | A Million-Copy Bestseller | A Timeless Story of Love, Longing & Solitude – Penguin Classics --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.at/products/662381931-babel](https://www.desertcart.at/products/662381931-babel) --- *Product available on Desertcart Austria* *Store origin: AT* *Last updated: 2026-10-16*