Reviews

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

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sarahkouk's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Interesting commentary on the publishing industry as well as online cancel culture and what it truly means to be an author. This was a random pickup off of Libby that I ended up getting sucked into and really enjoying. The audiobook, especially has a fantastic narrator.

mvivas's review against another edition

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funny medium-paced

4.5

marumari's review against another edition

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challenging mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.75

etbotto's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Loveable characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

gay_for_jay's review against another edition

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emotional 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

4.5

R.F. Kuang's Yellowface is a gripping, fast-paced novel that pulls you into a murky world of publishing, authorship, and appropriation. I could not put this book down. I believe I read it in just under 5 hours today.

This was my first time reading anything by Kaung, despite having her Poppy War Trilogy and Babel sitting on my shelves. I figured I would start with Yellowface because it felt like a lower-stakes introduction to her writing style. After this novel, I might move some of her other books up on my TBR.

June (MC) is one of those characters you almost want to root for, but you absolutely can't! From the moment we learn she stole the manuscript, you know as a reader that she cannot be trusted to be our reliable narrator and should not be supported. However, Kuang crafted June to keep me in this morally gray area (the liminal space) of viewing June as a scorned writer and a thieving and backstabbing friend. So I will give her grace, but June, if you're out there (I know you are fictional), please know grace is a finite resource, and you are reaching the bottom of that well.

And let's not forget Athena! As the novel progresses, we learn that she isn't that great of a person either. She had her demons and flaws but knew how to play the game for her publishers. You have to do what you can to keep the lights on. Honestly, this added a lovely layer to the storyline between June and Athena, making them both human.

Overall, Yellowface is a sharp and thought-provoking novel. It challenges you to confront uncomfortable truths and forces you to grapple with the darker sides of one's ambitions.