mromie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Death, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
catieohjoy's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Death of parent, Death, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, War, Rape, Toxic friendship, Grief, and Sexual violence
daisy2050's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Medical content, Sexual violence, Stalking, Rape, Genocide, Grief, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: War
izzyproudfoot's review against another edition
- 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
Reading this, I wouldn't say it's the same author as the Poppy Wars. (Not that she stole the Poppy Wars 🤣 imagine.) But the genre and the feel of the book was completely different.
This was a really easy read. Everything flowed and made sense. The dialogue was was to the point and the plot was that kind that was like watching a soap.
I had from the very start- wanted to know more about Athena. Who was she really? Was she kind and super vulnerable or was she a stuck up bitch? There are references to Athenas life, her mother says she never would have wrote something like that. But why? Why was she afraid to look in the notebooks really? I feel like Athena had an Incredibly interesting story there, her character had so many layers and I'd have liked to see that.
The first half was better, it flowed better, it was funnier. There was a sense of heaviness and darkness in the second half towards the end where I was kind of hoping the book would just end now. Of course none of the characters are likable but I'm pretty sure that's intentional. This book addresses multiple topics and multiple view points, I always like things which allows for such a broad debate and discussion. It also brings forthright some things that maybe people don't think about every day and maybe they'll realise and consciously male an effort to do better. There were many subtle not so subtle examples of micro-agressions which again I think given some of the books purpose this was really well done. I wonder how many people read this and guilty cringed and certain things and how many people obliviously didn't bat an eye.
The characters although unlikable did feel a bit flat, the MC especially as the book went on felt more and more flat.
There was one thing that was touched upon in the book which I really feel was not done well and this is completely a personal opinion. There is an event in the book where the MC thinks something may or may not have happened and refers to it as a maybe event. I found it particularly tactless not in how the event occurs or even after but in how it is referenced and touched upon. I feel the carelessness in which it is referred to as a 'maybe' somewhat invalidates it. It gives that open debate to maybe it didn't happen at all, how can something be a maybe and not a full 'yes it did'. With this particular subject all accounts are valid and it would not need a certain amount of violence or a certain something else for it to be classed as a real experience. I feel this was incredibly poorly done and a let down to women with similar experiences further perpetuating the belief women overreact and it was nothing.
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Rape
filipateodoro's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, and Death
Minor: Sexual violence
qrschulte's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Bullying, Cultural appropriation, Cursing, Mental illness, Xenophobia, Death, Emotional abuse, Racism, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Racial slurs, Sexism, Rape, and Sexual violence
Minor: Drug use and War
itisnatal's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic friendship
kelly_e's review against another edition
- 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
Author: R.F. Kuang
Genre: Contemporary
Rating: 2.75
Pub Date: May 25, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Icky • Juicy • Insightful
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Athena Liu is a literary darling. June Hayward is literally nobody. Who wants stories by basic white girls anyway?
But now Athena is dead. And June has her unfinished manuscript...
💭 T H O U G H T S
I'd added Yellowface to my list of possible 2023 releases to explore after attending an online event with the author. The premise had me apprehensive, yet the author did a fantastic job selling me, so when it became available as a 'quick read' through my library I scooped it up.
The fact satirical stories are not my thing is something I knew going in, and yet I picked it up anyways. Another thing I don't care for are stories centered around social media and cancel culture, both of which are central here. So it's clear this novel was not meant for me.
With that said, Kuang's writing is incredible. She delivers a no holds barred account of the ins and outs of the publishing industry - a bold move that paid off. While not for me, I understand all of the love it is receiving. What this book does really well is give readers lots to think about, making it a fantastic book club selection, sure to spark interesting and engaging discussion.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• readers looking for something fast-paced
• fans of the unlikeable narrator
• bookclubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Writing is the closest thing we have to real magic."
"Reading lets us live in someone else’s shoes. Literature builds bridges; it makes our world larger, not smaller."
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Sexism, Misogyny, Racism, Racial slurs, Death, Cultural appropriation, Bullying, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Xenophobia, Sexual assault, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Sexual violence, Cursing, Mental illness, Rape, Violence, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Alcohol, War, Classism, and Islamophobia
allisonz6's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Racial slurs, Violence, Death, Cultural appropriation, Bullying, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Rape, Grief, and Mental illness
Moderate: Blood, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Stalking, and Gaslighting
Minor: War, Death of parent, and Suicide
rat_girly's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Bullying, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Xenophobia, Alcohol, Vomit, Violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Racism, Sexual violence, and Toxic friendship
Minor: War, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness