These are not the limits of Kuang’s precocious accomplishments. Her debut, 2018’s The Poppy War—written when the author was in her late teens, and the first book in a trilogy—was nominated for several ...

R.F. Kuang’s fantasy novel “Katabasis” centers around Alice and Peter, two graduate students who study magic at Cambridge University. When their thesis advisor dies, they decide to go to hell to ...

This cover image released by William Morrow shows “Katabasis” by R.F. Kuang. – William Morrow via AP Ruminating on what happens after you die inspired Kuang’s newest book, “Katabasis.” After the ...

Editor’s note: This segment was rebroadcast on June 5, 2026. Find that audio here. R.F. Kuang’s fantasy novel “Katabasis” centers around Alice and Peter, two graduate students who study magic at ...