*Babel* by R.F Kuang is a historical fantasy novel set in an alternate version of 19th-century Oxford University. The story follows Robin Swift, an orphan from Canton who is brought to England to study at the prestigious Babel Institute. The novel explores themes of language, power, and colonialism as Robin and his peers uncover the dark secrets of the institute’s magical and political machinations. As they grapple with their roles and responsibilities, the characters confront the moral and ethical implications of their actions in a world where language is both a tool of empowerment and oppression.