Babel-17 is a science fiction novel by Samuel R. Delany, published in 1966. The story takes place in a universe where humanity has colonized many planets and has formed an interstellar Federation, where different species coexist peacefully. The novel follows the adventures of Rydra Wong, a poet, linguist, and spaceship captain hired by the Federation to solve the mystery behind the attacks on their ships by a rogue group known as the Invaders.

The book starts with the introduction of Rydra, a highly skilled linguist who has an unusual gift to understand and create languages. She is known to have created a language known as Babel-17, which is so perfect that it has the ability to influence people's thoughts and actions. Rydra is approached by the Federation to decipher the language used by the Invaders, who have attacked and destroyed several Federation ships, leaving no survivors.

Rydra sets out on her mission aboard her starship, the Rimbaud, with her crew, a diverse group of individuals who specialize in various fields such as engineering, navigation, and security. Together, they travel through the galaxy encountering various hazards and obstacles in their voyage. Along the way, Rydra slowly unravel the mysteries behind the Invaders, as she develops a romantic relationship with a ship's engineer named Shrdlu.

As they approach their destination, Babel-17's power starts to take effect on Rydra's mind, causing her to behave erratically and take actions that she has no control over. She slowly comes to the realization that the language was designed to make people kill or harm others without realizing it. The Invaders have been using Babel-17 as a weapon to create sleeper agents, people who have been programmed to carry out attacks without their knowledge.

Rydra, with the help of Shrdlu and her crew, must find a way to prevent the Invaders from using Babel-17 to destroy the Federation. She decides to use her skills as a poet and a linguist to design a counter-language, known as Babel-18, which would neutralize the effects of Babel-17. With the help of her crew, Rydra plans to launch a surprise attack on the Invaders and take them down.

The novel is known for its exploration of language, communication, and perception. Delany's writing style is highly poetic and lyrical, often using metaphor and allusion to convey complex ideas. The novel also deals with themes of identity, gender, and sexuality, with Rydra being a bisexual character, which was considered groundbreaking at the time of its publication.

In conclusion, Babel-17 is a thought-provoking and highly imaginative science fiction novel, which explores the power of language and communication in shaping our perceptions of the world. It is a must-read for anyone interested in science fiction, linguistics, and philosophy.