Katabasis
A journey through hell and the heart
Format:Hardback
Publisher:HarperCollins Publishers
Publishing:28th Aug '25
£22.00
This title is due to be published on 28th August, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
Two academic rivals embark on a journey to hell in Katabasis, facing trials that test their relationship and reveal unexpected truths.
In Katabasis, the term refers to the ancient Greek notion of a hero's journey into the underworld. This gripping narrative revolves around two academic rivals from Cambridge who embark on a perilous quest to rescue the soul of their esteemed advisor. While reaching the depths of hell may seem like the easy part, the real challenge lies in navigating the treacherous landscape of both the underworld and their complicated relationship. As they confront various trials, their rivalry transforms into something far more complex, testing their limits and revealing hidden truths about themselves.
The novel intricately weaves themes of friendship, rivalry, and love against a backdrop of mythological elements. As the protagonists delve deeper into the underworld, they encounter a series of formidable obstacles that not only challenge their physical endurance but also force them to confront their emotional vulnerabilities. The narrative unfolds with a blend of humor and tension, making the reader question what it truly means to sacrifice for someone you care about.
Set to be one of 2025's most unexpected love stories, Katabasis promises to captivate readers with its unique premise and engaging characters. Written by the acclaimed R.F. Kuang, known for her bestselling works such as BABEL and YELLOWFACE, this novel is poised to leave a lasting impression when it is released in August 2025.
BABEL WAS A BRITISH BOOK OF THE YEAR, BLACKWELL’S BOOK OF THE YEAR, A WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR FINALIST AND THE DAILY MAIL BEST BOOK OF 2022
Praise for Babel:
‘Absolutely phenomenal. One of the most brilliant, razor-sharp books I've had the pleasure of reading that isn't just an alternative fantastical history, but an interrogative one; one that grabs colonial history and the Industrial Revolution, turns it over, and shakes it out’ Shannon Chakraborty, bestselling author of THE EMPIRE OF GOLD
‘A masterpiece that resonates with power and knowledge. BABEL is a stark picture of the cruelty of empire, a distillation of dark academia, and a riveting blend of fantasy and historical fiction – a monumental achievement’ Samantha Shannon, bestselling author of THE PRIORY OF THE ORANGE TREE
‘A masterpiece. Through a meticulously researched and a wholly impressive deep dive into linguistics and the politics of language and translation, Kuang weaves a story that is part love-hate letter to academia, part scathing indictment of the colonial enterprise, and all fiery revolution’ Rebecca Roanhorse, bestselling author of BLACK SUN
‘Kuang has outdone herself. BABEL is brilliant, vicious, sensitive, epic, and intimate; it's both a love letter and a declaration of war. It's a perfect book’ Alix E. Harrow, bestselling author of A THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY
‘A book that confirms Kuang as a major talent’ SFX
‘Brainy, brilliant, and fuelled by righteous anger, Babel is a towering tour-de-force of fantasy’ DAILY MAIL
‘BABEL has earned tremendous praise and deserves all of it… inventive and engaging, passionate and precise’ NEW YORK TIMES
ISBN: 9780008501860
Dimensions: 240mm x 159mm x 28mm
Weight: 270g
400 pages