Michael’s Reviews > Babel > Status Update
Michael
is 10% done
After continually inserting her own social commentary, the author now has a character complain about a translator of Arabian Nights inserting his own social commentary. I can't tell if the author is trolling me or really that oblivious.
"... and injects 'cultural explanations' whenever he feels like it. Tell me, how would you like to read an epic with a doddering Frenchman breathing down your neck-"
— Mar 08, 2024 08:01PM
"... and injects 'cultural explanations' whenever he feels like it. Tell me, how would you like to read an epic with a doddering Frenchman breathing down your neck-"
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Michael’s Previous Updates
Michael
is 15% done
Ok, I just looked it up, and the author's commentary is footnotes, not in the text itself. Unfortunately the audiobook puts the notes in the text, and it's jarring. But knowing that, I should be able to mentally set it aside. But still, it's very simplistic historical and social commentary. Perhaps Kuang is writing for a YA audience who don't know much about history.....
— Mar 09, 2024 03:06AM
Michael
is 5% done
What's with the author inserting author's notes into the narrative? They feel patronising and jarring, especially when she makes sure the reader know that certain books back then for 'problematic'. I don't need the help of explicit commentary!
— Mar 08, 2024 07:52PM
