The following version of this novel was used in the creation of this study guide: Kuang, R.F. Babel: or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution. HarperCollins. 2022. Hardcover.

Book I starts as Lovell finds and cures Robin after the rest of his family dies of the Cholera plague. Lovell says that Robin can come to England, but only if he commits to his studies as a future translator. Robin, who realizes that Lovell has been discreetly sending him books in English for years, agrees, but quickly learns that translators are the ones who control the truth. Over the years, Robin learns Latin and Greek while honing his Mandarin and English. Eventually, Lovell ensures Robin’s acceptance into the prestigious Royal Institute of Translation at Oxford.

After moving into housing for University College, Robin meets Ramy, a fellow sponsored student from Calcutta. While the two become fast friends, they are ‌isolated from the rest of the students because of their race. Eventually, the two meet the rest of their class; two women named Victoire and Letty. They are introduced to the inner workings of Babel (the nickname for the Institute) and the possibilities of translation fascinate each of the students. After giving their blood to be recognized by the wards of the tower, the four students quickly bond over their mistreatment at Oxford, with the narrator saying they will become fast friends. However, Book One ends as Robin encounters his doppelgänger again, learning that the man can recite every part of Robin’s life despite not yet speaking with him.

Book II continues in the Twisted Root as Robin’s doppelgänger introduces himself as Griffin Lovel; Robin’s half brother. The two discuss the Hermes Society (Hermes for short) and how Griffin hopes Robin will work with them to steal important items and information from the tower. While Robin struggles between his love for Oxford and his desire for equality, he reluctantly agrees to help. Meanwhile, he develops a strong relationship with Letty, Ramy, and Victoire as they face Oxford’s discrimination and challenges together.

However, as the students learn more about the art of silver-making, Robin begins to realize the stranglehold that Babel has on the rest of the world by purposefully hoarding knowledge on languages. By the third year, Robin continues running assignments for Griffin as his friendships become soured by excessive work and unfair expectations. Robin hurts himself during one mission and Griffin refuses to listen to his concerns, so Robin decides he no longer wants to be a part of Hermes if it means potentially sacrificing his survival. Griffin, however, believes that Robin is only hurting himself.

In Book III, the students manage to pass their grueling third-year exams and are allowed to continue their education. Then, after a disastrous commemorative ball and a happy summer, they return to Babel and help run the new telegraphs for profit. During Robin’s late night shift, he is shocked to see Victoire and Ramy arrive in Hermes clothing. When they trip a ward, he helps them escape, but is arrested and confronted by Lovell. Robin tells Lovell the location of Griffin's safe house so he can avoid expulsion.

However, when Lovell takes the students with him to translate in Canton later that year, Ramy and Victoire are furious with Robin for not telling them about Hermes sooner. Ramy blames Robin for giving up his pride for survival, damaging their friendship. When Robin arrives in Canton, he is appalled to discover that the merchants are profiting off of opium, despite its highly addictive nature and resulting poverty. This realization culminates in a conversation with Canton’s Commissioner Liu where Robin tells him that compromise with the British will not be possible, as they do not see the Chinese as human. Commissioner Liu burns millions of pounds worth of opium and Lovell flees with the students. On the boat, however, he accuses Robin of swaying the Commissioner and continues to insult both him and his mother. Their argument enrages Robin and, without thinking, he uses the silver bar that had killed Eveline, killing Lovell just as Robin’s friends arrive.

In Book IV, the students decide to throw Lovell’s body overboard and pretend he is sick for the remainder of the journey back to England. While this causes Robin significant trauma and guilt, he refrains from turning himself in, as he knows his friends would also suffer. Back in England, they spend the night at Lovell’s estate before returning to Oxford. There, they agree to lay low while Victoire and Ramy reach out to Anthony while Robin gathers as much information for Hermes as possible. However, they are forced to run when Playfair reveals that he knows about Lovell’s death and are rescued by Anthony who takes them to a safe house.

There, they meet with other Hermes operatives and Griffin to talk about a plan to stop Parliament from voting for war. Griffin thinks they should take down Babel, as destroying its vast stores of silver would cripple the country. The others disagree and Griffin leaves for Glasgow. However, Letty betrays the group to the police and accidentally shoots and kills Ramy while trying to convince them to surrender. Victoire and Robin are captured and endure terrible torture without giving Hermes away. Griffin arrives to rescue them, but is killed while Victoire and Robin escape. Filled with anger and despair, they decide to destroy Babel.

In Book V, Robin and Victoire return and take Babel hostage, allowing those who want to leave to do so. A few staff members and some students remain and make their demands to Parliament: stop the war, or lose the silver. As Parliament refuses, they remove silver from the resonance and both London and Oxford begin to fall apart. As the Army arrives, more protesters join Robin’s cause. However, things tip over into true violence when Westminster Bridge collapses, cutting London off from the rest of the world. Letty tries to get Robin and Victoire to surrender. However, Robin decides to corrupt the silver in Babel and die in the collapse. Victoire decides she wants to live and escapes as Robin and most of the others work together to bring the tower down. The aftermath of Babel’s destruction is left open as Victoire travels out into the world to search for a better future.