A review by emlo
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

challenging dark mysterious 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

3.5

This book pulled me in from the very start, but somewhere in the middle i lost focus. I think it was the extended Twitter commentary that I struggled with, then the ending seemed pretty perfect because of course June would do anything to stay relevant. It's a very clever book with some hot topic criticisms of the publishing industry, how non-white voices are marginalized in every stage of the publishing process, and how lazy stereotypes are substituted for authentic inclusivity. It's an uncomfortable book to read as you are trapped in June's head, an oblivious woman who lacks self-awareness, is very casually racist, and doesn't really care that much about the people around her, only on her time in the spotlight. All the other characters are presented through the warped lens of June, so everyone just seems awful, and you're left kind of screaming at the audacity when time and time again June fails to do the decent thing and really doubles down on her terrible choices. Very, very clever to give the reader such a visceral reaction to a character. 
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