I’m not going to lie. This week has been tough! Without going into too much detail here, I just haven’t felt well and struggled to do much of anything. I thought audiobooks were going to be my salvation. Nope — when I’m sick, focusing on someone reading to me is much more difficult than reading from the printed page. At least I had a couple of good stories to keep me company this week.
What I Finished This Week
Babel by R.F. Kuang. Last week, I told you that I had high hopes for this fantasy novel. It did not disappoint, but it took some turns that I did not expect. As our Oxford students continued their work with the silver bars powered by translations, they came face-to-face with the real purpose of the silver on a trip to Canton. What they discovered was disheartening and set them on a trajectory that no one saw coming. Fueled by righteous indignation, the quartet of translators joined forces with the underground group called Hermes to stop the madness and force those in power to face their crimes against humanity. The powerful exploration of topics such as racism, freedom, colonialism, and sacrifice continued through the end of Kuang’s novel. I think this passage from the end of the novel (no spoilers, I promise!) gives a lot of insight into one of Kuang’s major themes of the book.
. . .I’ve known you for less than a day, and yet…..”
“I think,” said Ramy, it’s because when I speak, you listen.”
“Because you’re fascinating.”
“Because you’re a good translator.” Ramy leaned back on his elbows. “That’s just what translation is, I think. That’s all speaking is. Listening to the other and trying to see past your own biases to glimpse what they’re trying to say. Showing yourself to the world, and hoping someone else understands.” (Babel, 535)
Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this wonderful novel! I’m already expecting a return visit to Oxford in the near future so I can fully process the arguments that Kuang has given us to think about in these beautiful pages. 5 stars.
What I’m Currently Reading
The Lido by Libby Page (7:47 of 9:19). The relationship between Kate and Rosemary continues to grow as they continue their fight to keep the local pool open. Along the way, we learn more about their lives, their fears, and their regrets. Page is giving us a beautiful story of how something as simple as a community space can unite us in unexpected ways.
It Happened on a Sunday by Tracy Wolff (p. 70 of 466). I started this book on Sunday evening as an homage to the title. After the deep topics I faced in Babel, I was also ready for something a little lighter. It will also be a good fit for a couple of upcoming flights as I travel back to the Geriatric Ward this week. Here’s the gist of this romance as I grasp it so far. Sloane is a headlining musician with a bit of a troubled past. While giving a concert in Austin, she catches the eye of Sly, the handsome quarterback of the local professional football team who has brought his abuela (a huge fan of Sloane’s music) to the event in his home stadium. As soon as their eyes meet, sparks fly. Now we just have to see if Sly will be the next victim of the “Black Widow” or if he will see past the rugged exterior to the hurting woman hiding inside.
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