Reviews with content warning for Alcohol - Yellowface

Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

181 reviews

aurora4847's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective 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

4.5

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chrishham's review against another edition

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mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.75

Huge fan of books that tackle big complex topics. Lots of interesting concepts and discourse in this one, which is what kept me coming back and tearing through it quite fast. At the same time, it's a very easy-to-read and accessible writing style.

I enjoyed the message it's putting out and the topics at hand but at the same time, none of the characters felt authentic or well-rounded enough for me as they're all filtered through the obviously deeply unlikeable and self-absorbed protagonist. But, I felt compelled to keep reading despite (or because of) June's fickleness and arrogance.

The raw emotion that comes across from the narrator really puts all the industry's problems and issues of the modern world in full focus. However, some of the plot points, narration, and June's inner thoughts occasionally felt a bit on-the-nose and I would have found it a more powerful read if they'd been expressed a bit more subtly. (But then again, racism isn't always so subtle, so !! point made !!)

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sxndaze's review against another edition

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dark tense fast-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

2.0

this book is deeply unpleasant to read. i understand that that’s the point— i’m supposed to be horrified by june’s actions and the downward spiral she’s on and how she never reaches her limit. but yellowface feels like a rant, something that kuang is trying to get off her chest about what she has experienced.

i haven’t read any of rf kuang’s other works, so i could be off base, but everything feels personal on some level. as a result, i feel like im being preached to, and it’s uncomfortable in a way outside june’s racist thoughts and actions. it also just gets tiring.

the book is at its best when it explores june and athena’s relationship. it’s compelling and complex. outside of that, it feels like a commentary on social media and diversity in corporate settings that i could have gotten in a video essay.

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dkamada's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny informative mysterious reflective tense

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

5.0

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kaetheluise_nckl's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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

5.0

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frmvivian's review against another edition

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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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