Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - Yellowface

Such a well written book that had me squirming and uncomfortable with how I felt about the characters, situation, context and choices. Was it an easy feel good read? Not at all. Was it meant to be? Not at all, and that’s why it was so good.
Not a full 5* in my opinion because it started to drag a little with repetitiveness towards the end, and
*not a spoiler but if you don’t want to go into the ending with possible preconceived notions stop here*
the direction the penultimate chapter goes in felt oddly out of place and served cliché soap opera vibes that didn’t feel like it matched the caliber of the rest of narrative.
It was, overall though, a memorable read that I think will stick with me for a long time to come.

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nicadoubleyou's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

3.0

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drawahardline's review against another edition

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medium-paced

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

4.0

I am really impressed by the art of writing a main character that is so utterly disgusting und racist in her actions and thoughts, and despite all still having enough empathy to paint her out as a main character full of complex insecurities, passions and motives that seem realistic. normally, i despise books in which i hate the main character, yet this one had me really intrigued - by great use of the first-person narrative, rebecca f. kuang amazingly portrays a white role of victim and (sadly) thoughts and entanglements of an average white person in a system that favors exactly that narrative.

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lestie4short's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

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leechachatotheright's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

I will say that this book was very thought provoking, a social commentary on racism, diversity, etc. I gave it a 3 as it was a good read in its writing itself and does tackle an interesting perspective but, I don't think I'd recommend this to a friend to read. The first two thirds of the book was very inticing, but the ending felt like

"This, really? Is that all? You haven't learned anything."

and honestly, that may be the point of it. I find the narrative very different from anything I've read before, but maybe that's also why it felt flat at the end. I don't mind endings not having the whole

character learns from their mistakes trope, if anything, it is kind of refreshing to see this perspective.

But alas, the ending did feel a bit inconclusive to me, though I understand the intention of it. I don't know if I'll read it again, but I'll definitely say it was a unique read and I didn't put the book down until I was finished. I basically wanted more from the ending.

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lemonsforyu's review against another edition

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challenging dark inspiring reflective medium-paced

Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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