Katabasis (novel)
 | |
| Author | R. F. Kuang |
|---|---|
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Harper Voyager |
Publication date | August 26, 2025 |
| ISBN | 978-0063021471 |
Katabasis is a 2025 fantasy novel by American writer R. F. Kuang. It is due for release on August 26, 2025.[1]
Background
In 2023 it has become known that Kuang was writing her sixth novel, Katabasis.[2][3] Kuang wrote it while being enrolled as a PhD student in East Asian Languages and Literatures at Yale University, teaching, and planning her wedding.[2] She stated that the idea for the book came out of a "cute, silly" idea about how "academia is hell" before seriously realizing, "Oh, no, academia is hell."[4]
Synopsis
The novel follows two magicians, doctoral candidates, who must venture into hell to save their thesis advisor in order to get letters of recommendation.[5][2]
Critical reception
In a starred review, Kirkus Reviews stated "this is a tightly constructed novel that aims a clear lens on academia, with both its faults and its virtues" and called it "a learned, literary manifesto on academia—and its darkness."[6]
Also in a starred review, Library Journal called the book "A must-read for fans of Naomi Novik, Olivie Blake, and Lev Grossman's scholastic fantasies, with explorations of purpose, grief, and relationships that open the novel to a more universal audience."[7]
References
- ^ Gonzalez, Leslie (December 23, 2024). "6 exciting new books for 2025: San Diego's top picks". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
- ^ a b c Fraser, Katie (March 17, 2023). "Rebecca Kuang in conversation about her first literary novel taking aim at the publishing industry". The Bookseller. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
- ^ Liu, Rebecca (May 20, 2023). "Rebecca F Kuang: 'Who has the right to tell a story? It's the wrong question to ask'". The Guardian. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
- ^ Healy, Millie Mae (November 28, 2023). "R. F. Kuang Speaks on Friendship, Anti-Colonialism, and Magic at the Brattle Theatre". The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
- ^ Yeh, Elspeth (September 10, 2024). "Rebecca Kuang: The academic mind behind the best-selling novels". Yale Daily News. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
- ^ "KATABASIS". Kirkus Reviews. May 1, 2025.
- ^ Galloway, Matthew (June 4, 2025). "'Katabasis' by R.F. Kuang | SFF Pick of the Month". Library Journal. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
Further reading
- Silcox, Beejay (August 14, 2025). "Katabasis by RF Kuang review – a descent into the hellscape of academia". The Guardian. Retrieved August 14, 2025.