Babel-17 / Empire Star Paperback – Illustrated, January 8, 2002

The general commanding the forces of the Earth Alliance seeks out poet, linguist, and cryptographer Rydra Wong, to ask her to take on the decryption of the Invaders' code, which is being used to commit sabotage in the Alliance's military and transport forces. After some work with it, she tells him it's a language, not a code, and she needs everything the Alliance has on it to be able to translate it. She also asks him for a ship, and recruits a diverse and somewhat unlikely crew to go with her to what her analysis of the code/language, Babel-17, leads her to conclude will be the location of the next act of sabotage.They reach their destination, and it's not long before the sabotage strikes in several ways--one of them affecting her own ship, and boosting them into near-disaster.It's only near disaster because another, huge ship hooks them out of the disaster at the last moment, and she and her crew find themselves aboard a ship that isn't really a pirate ship, but isn't really not a pirate ship, either. Privateer might be the closest term, but the term the ship's captain and crew use is "shadow ship."It's here that she meets a man called the Butcher, second in command on the ship, a man who doesn't use or understand the words "I" and "you," and who seems to have a character very much at odds with his given name, and his past record.It's also here that, working together with the Butcher, she starts to understand what the Babel-17 language really is, and what the Invaders are really doing.This is a book published in 1966, when Delany was 23, or 24 years old, and features a rather young woman, who is primarily known as a poet, as its protagonist. I was afraid I would find the Suck Fairy had visited it; it hasn't. It's still fascinating, fun, exciting book. Rydra is a strong, intelligent, and utterly believable woman. Some of the other characters are thinner and less satisfying, but it's still a rich, rewarding read or listen.The linguistics here is central, and it's based on the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, that says you can't think ideas and concepts that you don't have words for. That's largely discredited now, but that's not important in enjoying the book--unless, of course, you are yourself a linguist and that's as central to you as it is to the novel. In that case, I would imagine it would be maddening. For the rest of us, or at least for me, knowing the theory is wrong doesn't disturb me any more than knowing that faster than light travel is not likely to ever really happen.This is a classic of science fiction that really stands up almost sixty years later. Recommended.I bought this audiobook.

I get easily provoked into reading books described as difficult or unreadable. Because of that Samuel R. Delany’s Dhalgren has sat on my Amazon wishlist for babel 17 about a year now. Eventually I will read it. But I have other things to do first. I decided that before I conquered Dhalgren I would look into Delany’s other books, most notably Babel-17. This is the story of a linguist tasked with deciphering an alien language used to attack Earth. I thought that Delany’s vision of the future was interesting, especially the idea of people receiving copious plastic surgeries and enhancements. The best part of Babel-17 was the discussion of language, and I found Delany’s ideas of future alien interactions interesting. In Babel-17 humans do not really interact with other alien civilizations, because the differences in language makes their cultures so different that they can not really interact. Humans and aliens are allies, but their cultures can not mix. I thought that that was a really interesting and practical look at the future, and underscored the ideas of the book. Unfortunately, Babel-17 was not that interesting in terms of style and writing. It was one of those books that they ideas present in it are more interesting than the ideas themselves. Looking back on Babel-17, I can say that I really enjoyed the ideas of language and culture, but I did not have a lot of fun reading the book itself. My copy of Babel-17 came printed with the novella Empire Star which was an incredibly interesting story about the cyclical nature of time. Empire Star was more enjoyable to read than Babel-17 and completely mind blowing. Purchasing Babel-17 was worth it just to read Empire Star.

Just did not capture me. The story had some novel ideas but felt very not-deep. I mean, the relationship between the two main characters felt sudden and, therefore, contrived.

It took me quite a while to get through this book through no fault of its own but my own brain being unable to sit through reading. But now that I’ve finally finished it, I have to say that it is one of the most fascinating books I’ve read in a while. The way a theory of language is transformed in the text into a found family, of sorts, rag tag crew on a mission and mystery all in one is wonderful. I’m definitely going to be reading more of Samuel Delany’s works in the future.

Samuel R Delany's Babel-17 is a dense, sci fi classic from the mid 1960's. Humanity in the future has expanded into space finding a populated and sometimes hostile alien presence. While under attack, the military intercepts what appears to be a coded message, but cryptographers are unable to crack it. They turn to a former cryptographer who is now one of the most popular poets and a language expert. She recognizes that the message is not a code, but a unique and rich language. As she gets closer to the action, she gradually begins to decipher the language and appreciates the level of complexity to the point where certain ideas can be conveyed that are not capable of human language expression. At the same time, a devious plot is uncovered that tips the war balance.Space flight is common and while aliens are alluded to, there is no direct interaction and little engagement. Space pirates also play a pivotal role as will as mental constructs of dead individuals. The main focus is on language and the notion that ideas and concepts can only be considered when language can present words and expressions to enable thought. In addition, Delany toys with the idea that complexity can impart more information with fewer words with a more sophisticated language. There is also the concept of identity such that lack of the word "I" leads to neglect or failure to recognize the self which was likely suggested by academic work of the bicameral mind such that intelligence could exist without consciousness. Of significance is a pushing of the boundaries of alien from the mere physical to alien mental processes.

A fascinating if somewhat dated book. The linguistic science is interesting but not quite convincing.Most of the characters are flimsy but the pace is fast enough to keep a reader distracted. The ending is an anticlimactic disappointment but the book is worth the time it takes to read it.

Great story. A classic. Interesting characters. Very atypical.

The main story is intriguing but the quotations of poetry seemed a bit too unrelated or perhaps it is that my natural eversion to poetry prevented me from enjoying it completely.

Babel-17 is an excellent book around the theme of language and how it affects our perception of the world. It is definitely something to read if you want to think beyond the plot -- it is not written under the modern (i.e., 2023-2024) parameters of "every event must push the plot" or "motivation has to be extremely clear". This book will take you on a journey, especially because oftentimes, the characters themselves are not privy to everything that happens -- and thus, some events become clearer after the book has ended.Something to consider is that I wouldn't classify this as science fiction only, but more as sci-fantasy. Let me elaborate.There is a large component of space travel, but it is not your usual, navy-inspired, highly-tactical travel either -- it is completely unique and fantastical. For example, pilots are plugged into the piloting seat (the most comparable thing is how pilots are plugged into the gundams in Gundams:Orphans), and the sensors of a ship are used only by "discorporate" people.  "Discorporate" are people who lost their bodies (dead? Unclear, who cares!), and part of the machinery is operated/cleaned by a platoon of under 17yo. You will not get much of the space-travelling mechanics spelled out; the "science" is on the language, not on the mechanics.Moreover, people can undergo some cosmetic surgery that alters the body (but there is no body horror), which is akin to going for a walk-in tattoo... so there are humans with paws and fangs, dragons inserted in their joints, etc. It's quite curious, and you won't find any terribly descriptive scenes about someone undergoing a mod. The only remark here is that some of the modifications are unique and original, but the narrator (most of the time, Rydra) presents it as common... leading to fleeting descriptions that leave you to imagine these people as best as you can.Likewise, something to note is that it is classical SF, but you will not find sexism nor racism, albeit some people look modded-people as odd -- but nothing too jarring. However, some words are a bit outdated (e.g., a character is described as "Oriental" once); there is quite a positive outlook on mental health, and on polyamorous relationships. Then again, neither of these topics is the point of the book, and mentions are very scarce and quick. The main character is a woman, a linguist, and she is very interesting to follow.The writing is outright amazing, but something to be aware of is how the writing is used. Without giving much away from the plot, Babel-17 is a language that has very unconventional rules and allowances. Therefore, when the protagonist (Rydra) thinks in Babel-17 the text is written <i>very</i> differently (e.g., the punctuation is different). More interesting is when Rydra is thinking in Babel-17 and translates her thoughts to English speach... the words are weird. If you are bilingual or polyglot, you know what I mean -- some words do not have a "perfect match" across languages, and then you end up with "good enough" approximations. This happens quite a lot in the book, so <b>be flexible</b> and keep that in mind, especially if you only speak a single language.Overall, it is honestly a refreshing read, even if it is old. It is different, it is nuanced, and in many parts you'll need to re-read them and give yourself time to reflect on them. You shouldn't be reading this as much for the plot or the characters (this is definitely not character-driven), but more to see how the theme (language) creates a conflict and solves it.Overall, I'd say it is a comfortable read, in the sense that nothing too terrible will happen, nothing too dark or grim. But it is definitely a story worth mulling over.

This novel is still relevant to today's world. The idea that a type of consciousness without egoic identity can have significant advantages for understanding and coping with the world is an important part of contemporary philosophy and existential experimentation. However, even such an "advanced" viewpoint leaves something out: love as a relation between separate individuals, union without fusion.