Katabasis

R. F. Kuang

EXPECTATIONS

Stories about journeying to the underworld/hell is always an interesting concept, so I was quite excited to read this novel by R. F. Kuang, especially because this is my first time reading her literature! I was most interested in how she would create her own interpretations of the descent into hell and relate it to the exigent demands of the academia. 

STORY

Alice Law, along with her academic rival, Peter Murdoch, descend into and journey through hell, as they both believe they each caused the death of their mentor, Professor Jacob Grimes. The story is well paced, the author providing ample background for the characters as the story progresses. There is much introspection to be done by the reader as the author tackles notions of sacrificing one’s physical and mental self to achieve greatness and self-actualization, whether it be in the academe or in other parts of life. I appreciated how the author interpreted hell as, perhaps, a reflection of our utmost desires and maybe where we are in the highest and most taxing points of our lives; that journeying through hell is, of course, individualized and never quite the same for any person. Perhaps some readers may not appreciate the ending of the story, as some people do prefer the author to double down on decisions made for their characters, but I liked the outcome, as I believe that people who sacrifice themselves to achieve their dreams deserve to reap the fruits of their labor. 

CHARACTERS

Alice Law and Peter Murdoch are easy to root for and just as easy to judge. Alice, definitely, was frustrating at times and made questionable decisions, her humanity shining through in her faults, but most especially, how she chooses to make things right. She is a great example of how you can lose yourself whilst chasing greatness and vying for the approval of those in power, and how difficult it is to break the chains of mental taxation. Ultimately, through her descent into hell, she is able to journey into her own self and find what is most important.