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A review by dragon
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
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
1.25
Yellowface caught my attention the time it was first announced; a book about publishing industry, one that tackles the racial and ethnic-related issues, it sounded so intriguing, so fun. But it turned out to be some kind of let down.
Like June Hayward's works, this book too feels like an imitation of other suspenseful, thrilling satire litfic. I'm not sure if that was intentional, or it's because this is Kuang's first book written in first person, or unlike her previous works, this one doesn't involve any magic. Whatever the case, I only felt like I'm really reading an RF Kuang's book when I got to the last four chapters.
The story just hops from one publishing problem to another but not being properly discussed or addressed. I imagine this too might be intentional. Still, even though it was fun to follow, it was also exhausting. It mostly read like the feed of an author's burner account, or booktwt's private account (mine included) when there's a literary gossip. And once I reached the last sentence, I wondered what exactly was the focus of this book: was it the fact that publishers see diversity as commodity? That white authors always get forgiven if they wrote even the most diabolical, racist things and same treatment doesn't apply to marginalized authors--they'd get ripped through shreds for even the smallest thing? That writers clique are too clique-y hence it's so hard for newly debuted authors to get through? That readers nowadays care too much about the person behind the writings than the work itself? I know they're all related but everything's so all over the place. It felt like the book should be longer.
Like June Hayward's works, this book too feels like an imitation of other suspenseful, thrilling satire litfic. I'm not sure if that was intentional, or it's because this is Kuang's first book written in first person, or unlike her previous works, this one doesn't involve any magic. Whatever the case, I only felt like I'm really reading an RF Kuang's book when I got to the last four chapters.
The story just hops from one publishing problem to another but not being properly discussed or addressed. I imagine this too might be intentional. Still, even though it was fun to follow, it was also exhausting. It mostly read like the feed of an author's burner account, or booktwt's private account (mine included) when there's a literary gossip. And once I reached the last sentence, I wondered what exactly was the focus of this book: was it the fact that publishers see diversity as commodity? That white authors always get forgiven if they wrote even the most diabolical, racist things and same treatment doesn't apply to marginalized authors--they'd get ripped through shreds for even the smallest thing? That writers clique are too clique-y hence it's so hard for newly debuted authors to get through? That readers nowadays care too much about the person behind the writings than the work itself? I know they're all related but everything's so all over the place. It felt like the book should be longer.