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Babel-On with R.F. Kuang (Virtual)

Illinois Libraries Present

2026-05-20 19:00:00 2026-05-20 20:00:00 America/Chicago Babel-On with R.F. Kuang (Virtual) Join R.F. Kuang, author of Yellowface and Babel, for a sharp, satirical conversation on power, publishing, and genre. In conversation with editor and advocate Kelly Jensen. Virtual -

Wednesday, May 20
7:00pm - 8:00pm

Add to Calendar 2026-05-20 19:00:00 2026-05-20 20:00:00 America/Chicago Babel-On with R.F. Kuang (Virtual) Join R.F. Kuang, author of Yellowface and Babel, for a sharp, satirical conversation on power, publishing, and genre. In conversation with editor and advocate Kelly Jensen. Virtual -

Join R.F. Kuang, author of Yellowface and Babel, for a sharp, satirical conversation on power, publishing, and genre. In conversation with editor and advocate Kelly Jensen.

R.F. Kuang’s genre-bending fiction broaches ordinarily serious topics from a satirical and fantastical perspective. Academic yet approachable, Kuang’s work combines history, magic, and classical literary tradition to render powerful critiques of academia, the publishing industry, and even contemporary popular culture. 

Her most recent novel, Katabasis, follows two graduate students as they descend into hell after the death of their professor, and the screen rights options to the novel were sold to Amazon MGM Studios for an upcoming TV series before its publication. Kuang’s other bestselling titles include Yellowface, Babel, and The Poppy War trilogy, and she is the recipient of the Nebula Award for Best Novel, the Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Fiction, and the American Book Award. 

Kelly Jensen, an anti-censorship advocate, a senior editor at Book Riot, and writer who has compiled such anthologies as Here We Are: Feminism for the Real World and (Don’t) Call Me Crazy, will be joining Kuang in conversation.

This event is intended for adults.

This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of the Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). 

ILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Closed Captioning are provided for all events by default—no special request needed.

Registration for this event closes at 5:00 p.m. on event day. Late registrations will be processed after the live event, allowing access to the event recording.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Virtual | Presentation | Author Talk |

TAGS: | |

Wilmette Public Library

Phone: 847-256-5025

Hours
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Mon, Apr 20 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Apr 21 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Apr 22 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Apr 23 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Apr 24 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Sat, Apr 25 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Apr 26 12:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

From the south: Go north on Green Bay Road. Turn left on Wilmette Ave. Turn right on Park Ave. Library is located on the corner of Wilmette Ave. and Park Ave. Parking lot is on the north side of the building. 

From the north: Go south on Green Bay Road. Turn right on Wilmette Ave. Turn right on Park Ave. Library is located on the corner of Wilmette Ave. and Park Ave. Parking lot is on the north side of the building.

From I-94 (Edens Expressway):from the South - exit at Lake Ave. East. Go east on Lake Ave. a little over 2 miles. Turn right on Park Ave. • from the North - exit at Rt. 41/Skokie Blvd. Turn left (east) on Lake Ave. Go east on Lake Ave. a little over 2 miles. Turn right on Park Ave. 


Mass transit options include CTA, Metra, and Pace.

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