Sujet : Re: Babel
De : kludge (at) *nospam* panix.com (Scott Dorsey)
Groupes : rec.arts.sf.written rec.arts.sf.fandomDate : 12. Mar 2024, 23:43:22
Autres entêtes
Organisation : Former users of Netcom shell (1989-2000)
Message-ID : <usqlqa$nl$1@panix2.panix.com>
References : 1 2
jerryfriedman <
jerry.friedman99@gmail.com> wrote:
I thought it was good but not great. The story and characters were engaging,
and the magic system was original. One problem was that criticizing 19th-
century colonialism and especially the Opium Wars seemed too easy and
out of date. And nothing was said about China's conquests or suppression
of dissent.
Those problems were EXACTLY why I was surprised it didn't get a nomination.
Because those problems are very much advantages for promoting the book in
China. That's what I found so boggleworthy.
A minor criticism is that, after Kuang makes a big deal about researching
Oxford slang of the 1830s, she gives her characters a lot of 20th- and
21st-century dialogue, which I found jarring.
I didn't find it that jarring because I am living in the middle of it, but
I agree that it won't age well.
I disagree with your spoiler, though.
--scott
-- "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."