Reviews tagging 'War'

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

234 reviews

chluless's review

challenging dark reflective tense

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, and Cultural appropriation

Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault

Minor: Death of parent and War

cafelatte235's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This is the second book I've read by R.F. Kuang and she has become one of my favourite authors. Her books are tense, and the complexities of the plot and the characters keep you turning the pages.

This book is very different than the fantasy books she's known for writing. Although different than her other books, this is a very strong read and one I couldn't put down.

It's amazing how June can spend the entire book convincing you she's not a bad person, but you can also tell that, deep down, she knows what she did was wrong. But that doesn't stop her from digging herself into a deeper hole whenever she can.

This book is a spectacular read on cultural appropriation, racism and the erasure of Asian influence in media and literature. It's complex, tense, and an informative read. I would recommend this book! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Cultural appropriation

Minor: Rape and War

vikart's review against another edition

inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Yellowface is a wonderfully written work that delves into a lot of topics such as racism, loneliness, the struggles of the writing industry and mental health. It drags you into the story and keeps you there during the entire read. 

[Possible spoiler below]

The ending, however, feels open ended. It leaves the reader to decide whether her life went to ruins or if she crawled back and continued writing as a successful author. And I, personally, enjoyed that. It felt very fitting with the narrative that we had been receiving thus far.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Racism

Moderate: Death and Toxic friendship

Minor: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Outing, and War

amyreh's review

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Grief, Cultural appropriation, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Bullying and Toxic friendship

Minor: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, War, and Injury/Injury detail

shannonxvx's review against another edition

challenging tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Minor: War

insideunder's review against another edition

challenging emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Grief, and Cultural appropriation

Moderate: Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Classism

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Vomit, and War

michelle_adb's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, and War

frmvivian's review

dark emotional funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Easy and quick read, the sharp wit and lines of Kuang shine through

BUT fails to be deeper than the superficial, the question of class, privilege, and who gets to write about experiences of trauma and suffering 

initial feel was that it was a bit ridiculous on how white people are - finding out after that this book incorporates all criticism for Kuang under Athena which is hilarious 

But after some reflection and watchjng withcindy's video, the class critique withi  publishing and in the Asian community are both valid. This isn't discounting Kuang's talent or ability as a strong writer but layering in the interaectional and nuanced conversation 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, and Alcohol

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Toxic friendship, and War

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Classism

kelisabeth's review against another edition

challenging dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail

abernathy_33's review against another edition

dark funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, and Cultural appropriation

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Suicide, Death of parent, and War