Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - Yellowface

Overall, I liked it more than I disliked it. I understand June is written as a narrator to be hated, as she's very obviously prejudiced against Asian people (specifically Chinese). It was so satisfying to witness her faults and failures at various points in the story. I understand why this book has captured the attention of so many people. R.F. Kuang is a talented author, and it was interesting to get a glimpse into the publishing world through this almost subversive lens. Yet at the same time, I had a hard time getting through some of the book because of the narrator and the lack of likable characters in general.

Content Warnings

navayiota's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional informative reflective tense medium-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

5.0

Brilliant, like everything else she writes. I felt pulled to continue the story at every second of the day.
Kuang inspires me to write, every word she lays on the page is like a string pulling at my heart, urging me to follow along. Her work makes me believe, for a second, that I too, could create something amazing. And at the same time I feel unbelievably silly and inexperienced. That's all I have to say. A Must-Read.

Content Warnings

aaannina's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Content Warnings

miayukino's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

Many people can contribute to a conversation, but less can help change it. This book manages to cram so much self awareness, brutal transparency, and incisive depictions of the reality the power of white women’s tears through sharp satire with balance, rage, and eloquence. So good. I’ll have to buy a hard copy.

Content Warnings

elliebasta's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark reflective fast-paced

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

3.0

Content Warnings

emquartz15's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny tense medium-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

Loved listening to this one! At times I felt bored of (and annoyed at) the narrator’s ramblings but I think that’s partially the point… Definitely held on until the very end, and I loved how things came full circle in an unexpected way.

Content Warnings

gracecb's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark reflective tense slow-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

3.0

Lots of food for thought and purposefully very challenging - made me ask a lot of questions re right & wrong.

Initially thought it was super witty and addictive, but loses momentum towards the end and becomes a bit predictable/repetitive. Didn’t quite live up to the hype for me but still enjoyed it.

Content Warnings

leechachatotheright's review against another edition

Go to review page

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.

Content Warnings

More...