Babel Tower by Antonia Susan Byatt

Babel Tower by Antonia Susan Byatt explores the intricate intersections of law, art, and society through two compelling legal battles—a tumultuous divorce and custody case alongside a controversial prosecution of an "obscene" book. Central to the narrative is Frederica, an intellectually formidable young woman whose marriage to a volatile country squire unravels into conflict. Seeking refuge in London, she secures a teaching position at an art school immersed in a burgeoning cultural rebellion. The novel vividly captures the tension between tradition and avant-garde movements, embodied by the enigmatic, unconventional figure Jude Mason. This richly layered story offers incisive commentary on personal freedom, societal constraints, and artistic revolution.