Orphaned in Canton, Robin Swift is brought to London by the enigmatic Professor Lovell to be rigorously trained in Latin, Greek, and Chinese. His education prepares him for enrollment in Oxford University’s Royal Institute of Translation – Babel – the center of the world for translation and the magical art of silver-working. This magic, derived from the subtle losses in translation between languages, powers the British Empire’s global dominance.
At Babel, Robin and his cohort of fellow students – Ramy from Calcutta, Victoire from Haiti, and Letty, an Englishwoman – discover that their linguistic talents serve the Empire’s oppressive colonial ambitions. As they delve deeper into their studies, Robin finds himself increasingly conflicted. Torn between the allure of academic life and a growing awareness of the injustice inherent in Babel’s work, he is drawn to the shadowy Hermes Society, a clandestine organization dedicated to sabotaging the imperial project.
As Britain ignites an unjust war with China over silver and opium, Robin is forced to confront his complicity in the Empire’s actions. He must choose between the security and privilege offered by Babel and the dangerous path of resistance, questioning whether powerful institutions can be reformed from within or if revolution demands violence.
Babel explores themes of colonialism, language, power, and the complexities of identity, set against the backdrop of a richly imagined historical and academic world.
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