R.F. Kuang on BABEL

“We're all constantly translating ourselves to the world—we all are trying to take the inevitable stuff that happens in our psyche, our fears, and hopes and desires and dreams and trying to communicate that with others. And some of us are more successful at it than others.” A group of four friends find themselves at the center of a deadly battle between good and evil at an alternate 1800s Oxford University in Babel, the epic new novel from R.F. Kuang, author of the bestselling Poppy War series. Rebecca joins us on the show to talk about world-building, friendship, colonialism, her literary inspirations (including The Secret History by Donna Tartt), Victorian ideas of masculinity and queerness, how she writes, and more with Poured Over’s host, Miwa Messer. And we end this episode with TBR Topoff book recommendations from interns Issa and Jenna.

Featured Books (episode)

Babel by R.F. Kuang

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell by Susanna Clarke

Racial Melancholia, Racial Dissociation by David L. Eng

Featured Books (TBR Topoff):

The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Poured Over is produced and hosted by Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang. Follow us here for new episodes Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays).

A full transcript of this episode is available here.