Babylon, or the Necessity of Violence
14.99 €
In stock
Babylon, or the Necessity of Violence
14.99 €
1828. After cholera devastates Cantona, orphaned Robin Swift finds himself in London with the enigmatic Professor Lovell. For years, he studies Latin, Greek, and Chinese, preparing to enter the prestigious Royal Institute of Translation at Oxford University, also known as Babylon. Its tower and its students are the world center of translation and, more importantly, magic. The art of revealing meanings lost in translation, using enchanted silver bars. It was this magic that made the British Empire invincible, and Babylon's research into foreign languages serves the Empire's foreign policy.
For Robin, Oxford is a utopia dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. But knowledge is subordinate to power, and, being of Chinese descent, Robin understands that serving Babylon means betraying his own homeland. During his studies, the young man faces a choice between the interests of Babylon and the secret society "Hermes", which seeks to stop imperial expansion. When Great Britain unleashes a war of conquest on China for silver and opium, Robin is forced to make a decision... Is it possible to change powerful institutions of power from within, without unnecessary casualties, or does revolution always require violence?
For Robin, Oxford is a utopia dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. But knowledge is subordinate to power, and, being of Chinese descent, Robin understands that serving Babylon means betraying his own homeland. During his studies, the young man faces a choice between the interests of Babylon and the secret society "Hermes", which seeks to stop imperial expansion. When Great Britain unleashes a war of conquest on China for silver and opium, Robin is forced to make a decision... Is it possible to change powerful institutions of power from within, without unnecessary casualties, or does revolution always require violence?
See also:
- All books by the publisher
- All books by the author
- All books in the series Fanzon. Rebecca Kuang