Into Babel

by James Leader

Meet Hugh Beech, or Hugh 'Bitch', as his French and Italian colleagues call him at the European School of Luxembourg. Plunged into the heart of the E.U. institutions, Hugh is baffled, horrified and seduced by his encounters with Europe and its peoples. As he finds himself becoming less and less English, and with the Brexit referendum looming, Hugh has to decide where he stands.

Into Babel is the hilarious, provocative and moving story of one man’s discovery of a new continent and a new identity. It is guaranteed to upset, intrigue and entertain everyone who knows – or thinks they know – the European Union.

232 pages, Paperback

Published November 16, 2024

Reviews

[Vasiliki Knitou · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvellous book, a bitter satire and a love-letter at the same time for the European Schools and the EU.

[Grainne Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read 'Into Babel' in one sitting because the prose is simply gorgeous and the publication is too. The narrative follows one man's attempt to redefine himself within a new cultural landscape, shedding light on the human condition of teachers who work in international schools. This humorous look at the search for connection and belonging amid cultural displacement highlights the nuances that can divide us and the empathy that is needed to bridge the gap. The high-voltage insights are handled lightly and comically, and the sumptuous European backdrop makes you feel like you’re along for the ride on Hugh’s escapades across the continent.
When we meet the beleaguered English teacher Hugh Beech (pronounced "Bitch," a nod to the pronunciation challenges faced by multilinguals), he stands at a pivotal moral crossroads, contemplating the temptation of betraying his current girlfriend for the alluring Ginerva, who becomes a catalyst for Hugh’s self-discovery. In tandem, we see his struggle to connect with his multi-ethnic students at a European school in Luxembourg, where he teaches the children of EU diplomats and functionaries. He comes in a modern day Nick Carraway, all wide-eyed wonder, and his journey is a hallmark of an ingénue, starting with an idealistic view and gradually confronting harsh realities. But the place ends up being far more authentic than he first thought, and he peers behind the curtains of big bureaucracy and ultimately finds its beating heart.
I love Ginerva’s characterisation; she is carefree, wild, and her sharp remarks about French and British attitudes deepen the cultural critique woven throughout the dialogue. The exploration of moral boundaries is compelling, and her probing nature forces Hugh to confront his desires. Their escapades in the forest evoke fairy tale elements, metaphorically representing his internal dilemma between loyalty and desire.
Hugh's irreverent sidekick, Masterson, provides a wealth of dubious life advice, and several of their exchanges had me chuckling at the quintessential rogue we all recognise from school staff rooms. We’ve all had that one teacher with an unorthodox teaching style, one who may not have taught us much academically but enlightened us in ways that truly mattered. Isn’t it funny the way they stick out in our memories more than others? Masterson’s approach contrasts with Hugh's more traditional sensibilities and this is mined for rich humour, the witty dialogue flowing at a brisk pace.
The commentary on the educational system and its failure to account for the myriad factors affecting student performance, including relationships and mental health is arresting. Both students and teachers would benefit from reading this example of how such complexities can be handled sensitively by a compassionate teacher. The blurred boundaries of teacher-student relationships are approached with great sensitivity and empathy, highlighting the societal benefits of a holistic teaching approach. As a new teacher, I believe this book would have been invaluable in navigating the complexities of student-teacher dynamics, especially the ethically demanding dilemmas surrounding safeguarding protocols that make the job so challenging now. Leader captures the students' humanity beautifully, revealing the joy of working in such a culturally rich environment.
This brings us to the youthfully exuberant yet vulnerable Vesna, who candidly reflects on her evolving personal identity. Her character embodies the complexities of contemporary adolescence, making the book relevant to current discussions about gender and sexuality. Her struggles are portrayed with a vibrant energy, and the teen banter feels authentic.
The allusions to the tumultuous European world beyond grounds the narrative, making it relatable. If you're interested in nuanced explorations of multiculturalism and the inner workings of the EU, you will surely enjoy this delightful well-told tale. The humour in 'Into Babel' invites readers to reflect on deeper themes of identity and the challenges of communication in a globalised world. The comedic misunderstandings serve as metaphors for the larger cultural clashes occurring in contemporary society, making the book highly entertaining and thought-provoking.
Dare I say it? I predict a prize winner, because this right here is the new Mr. Carraway of our time, our time before Brexit! Read this book. It's a blast!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much enjoyed and for so many reasons! The prose is as magical as it is real - bringing to life places and in-the-flesh characters. The teacher-student relationship is the beating heart of the novel building around the subtle but sturdy thread that is necessary for learning to happen, whatever the background story. The dialogues are alive with humour, compassion and at times suffering.

It is the story of Mr. Beech who has moved to Luxembourg from England and starts working at the European School where he finds that he has to reboot and rethink his life. Everything he knows to be acceptable is challenged, whether it is school policy or his romantic pursuits. The conflict sweeps him off his feet and the result is hilarious at times, deep and touching at others; his journey tests his boundaries and shakes him in a way that surprised not only Hugh Beech himself, but will also surprise the reader.

[D]

I was told not to read this until I graduate by Leader himself but reading all these reviews is making me impatient.

[Caro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This level of accuracy can only be achieved by someone who had to teach at the European school of Luxemburg 1. For that I am sorry.

Joking aside.

The characters really shine. None of them are national stereotypes, but genuinely represent their culture. I have met a Vesna, Tor, or Frigg. One can tell that there's respect for the multicultural setting because there was no moral hierarchy based on nationality. Not even the protagonist, Hugh, was on a moral highground simply for being English. Where he was prejudiced, he was punished by the story for it. Where he was right about something, he was rewarded.

The plot itself was lighthearted and fun, with enough obstacles to keep me wondering how Hugh was going get out of trouble. Despite the plot being more episodic, each part contributed to his character development.

My one complaint is about how head-over-heels Hugh was about Ginevre despite her being such a red flag. I was shouting at him to stay away. Poor lad.

Simply put, I had a great time with this book

[Nathan Vassilev · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it ! Hugh's growth and doubting was very entertaining, endearing and it seemlessly pushed the plot forward. I liked how the e.u and its institutions coloured the novel. The characters were all very believable and none got in the way or slowed down the rythm. I like how the relationship with Ginerva unfolds, the greyness of it and at the end, the acceptance on hugh's part. The stakes of the book feel real, I felt a similar kind of enjoyment from it than the mysteries of gogos. Reading it felt effortless, relating to characters too. I was thankful for the window it offered on the worries and perspective of the teachers at the e.u school and enjoyed following along the first steps someone took in Luxembourg in different position than 10 year old me. I was also pleased to read more opiniated passages and have the book be both something personnal and fictionnal/story-oriented-ish. It made it lighter, more aprochable. A well deserved best-seller !

[Patricia Angoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a page-turner of a novel! So much is packed into Hugh's first year at the European School in Luxembourg. It is a book of the times when moving to a new job, new country, new cultural environment at a moment in history when Great Britain decides - well just over 50% of voters decided - to leave the EU. James Leader uses language, references to literature and a glimpse of what it means to be European whilst there are still open borders and minds to help us thinking differently. This is a great read but also an important read in these times of introspection. What does it mean to be young, or older, as some doors close and others open? How does family pressure and the desire to explore other ideas of what it means to live in and with the world weigh down the spirit or free the soul? A great read, a fast read and a slow way to think about life ahead.

[Tajana Bundara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute delight - hilarious and heartfelt in equal measure. Ginevra's posh, passionate energy and vibrant personality crack Hugh's uptight British identity wide open, unfolding colourful layers and unexpected textures in both their characters in the most surprising and hilarious ways. Beneath the comedy lies a sharp critique of a cold, heartless, grinding system that penetrates the bubbles and shells of those who join, leaving them mirroring their new identities in the hues and shades of their redesigned lives. It’s sharp, funny, and deeply moving - a must-read!

[Olivia Katrandjian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Into Babel is a thoroughly addictive novel -- reading it felt like eavesdropping on juicy gossip, but the story still managed to bring up big, philosophical questions of identity, the meaning of home, and what it means to be European today. Written with the precise, evocative descriptions of a poet, and the pacing of a masterful storyteller, Into Babel is a joy to read. I highly recommend it.

[Vanessa Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amusing, elegantly written and very resonant for someone like me who’s lived in
Luxembourg, worked for the EU and has more than a passing acquaintance with the European School. As an added bonus, the paperback is beautifully produced. Thoroughly recommend.

[Nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

An equally fun and nostalgic read for European School alumni!

[Zoran Horvatić · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderul, funny, and mesmerizing novel about teaching at a European School, losing & finding yourself, and personal development along the way.

[Carl Jones · Rating 1 out of 5]

A little concerned the author is a teacher if this novel is a self insert.