What I'm reading ...

I have started Babel by R.F. Kuang. Time for fiction again and this book looks interesting, despite the possible fantasy element, which I often find troubling. Here’s the blurb:

Traduttore, traditore: An act of translation is always an act of betrayal.

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?

An incendiary new novel from award-winning author R.F. Kuang about the power of language, the violence of colonialism, and the sacrifices of resistance.

Failed State - by Sam Freedman

I finally finished this book! It took a long time not simply because it was a longish book, but it was very “information dense”. The author is clearly very knowledgeable and has performed detailed research, which is all properly cited.

Did I learn anything? Yes, I learned a lot about how UK government works or, more importantly, how it doesn’t. I have a much clearer understanding of many events in the political world over the last few decades.