This was a different type of book than what Kuang has written before. Very satirical and focused on the book industry, this book hosts an unlikeable and unreliable narrator. But I think it works well for this story. Some of the opinions seemed a little heavy-handed at times but overall I really enjoyed this one.

This is an excellent novel--riveting from start to finish. It is the "bad art friend" discourse brought to its greatest heights. It is an expert portrayal of the insecurities of a burgeoning writer, June Hayward, and the lengths she will go to find success. The way Kuang gets into June's psyche and is able to show all the ways she fails to do the right thing and the way she fails to see herself for who she is so intensely good. I was blown away. It is also a fantastic and scathing rumination on all that is wrong in publishing.

This book is impossible to put down, endlessly readable, and so much fun.

Yellowface is a unique first-person narrative that delves into the complicated world of plagiarism, racial identity/racism, and cancel-culture. The story is told from June Hayward's perspective, chronicling her complicated friendship with fellow author Athena Liu, whose tragic death gives June a unique chance to take fame for herself through a theft that rocks the literary world.

This is my second reading of Kuang's work, and all I can say is that her hype is not overstated. This book dazzles with not only brilliant writing and character study, but also with its deft handling of a very current events, such as appropriation, cancel-culture, and publication's deeply problematic system. I think this is a very important read for our time and I can honestly say I learned a lot while reading this book. If you are in any way interested in books or becoming an author, this is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the publishing world and what it takes to become an author.

June Hayward's journey is both compelling and repulsive at the same time, which, I think, is such an interesting story idea for Kuang to write. It's like an accident you can't look away from, the story just pulls and pulls your eye to it and you feel the need to keep coming back to see if it gets worse (and, somehow, Kuang always manages to up the ante every time). June's story is a familiar one, in some ways. Though she has a unique opportunity that most do not have, which is the catalyst for all her problems (if you've read the book you know which one I mean), what spills out after is familiar in many ways: a writer is accused of [fill in the blank] and chaos ensues.

How June handles each new hurdle is something that many would be familiar with. Kuang utilizes Twitter as the device in her story that makes it familiar and horrifying at the same time. Most are familiar with the hellscape that is Twitter, where vitriol and bashing are a common occurrence. Junes actions force her into the path of all kinds of internet trouble, but Kuang uses this as a means for addressing the nature of online bullying, cultural appropriation, and authorship + theft. What does it mean to be a writer and is it stealing if you take stories of others' lives and use/adapt them into a work of fiction? Who is "allowed" to write the story of a certain culture/people? Is there any such thing as a truly authentic representation of a culture/people? These are all big topics that Kuang tackles in her book and yet at no point does the narrative feel too heavy, too on-the-nose.

We process everything through June's eyes and it gives us the separation to evaluate her and her actions, but also brings us close enough that we feel for her and maybe even root for her (or we might feel the complete opposite and take pleasure in watching June's life go up in flames - Kuang makes room for both possibilities). While at times sympathetic, June is bitter, jealous, and defensive in ways that are at once familiar. Her story is a rollercoaster that you both do and don't want to ride. The plot is excellently paced, and even when you think you know where the story is going, it takes a turn and has you guessing again. It is a genre-defying work that will grip you from page one.

Overall, I can honestly say that I haven't read a story quite like this and I will not be forgetting this book any time soon. The writing, the plot, the characters, it all comes together into such a powerful narrative that I couldn't put down. I highly recommend giving this one a read. It will grip you and keep you turning pages till the very end.

3.5 stars. A very interesting and timely premise and story. Not quite sure it succeeds to the level I had hoped for, and the story slogged at Lots to think about along the way, not least about "cancel culture," "wokeness," and many other questions very relevant to our times and beyond. Not sure about that ending, but no spoilers here. Given the controversy that has come up with books like "American Dirt," among many others, the AAPI representation it offers, and other things the book has going for it, I think this could be a great book club choice, and a good read overall.

Many thanks to #NetGalley for the free e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review of the book.

Yellowface by RF Kuang takes on the topics of “own voices” in publishing, intellectual property, and racism in an industry that has struggled with diversity for some time now.

In this stinging satire, Juniper Song Hayward, a white woman, steals the work of another writer after her death. June takes on Athena Liu’s work as her own, edits the finished manuscript and submits it to her agent as her own. The topic of the work is Chinese labourers during World War 1. Athena, when she was alive, was a star in the publishing world and had just gotten a Netflix deal for one of her books. June hated Athena for her success but didn’t mind the free drinks and food Athena treated her to. The new book is a success and changes June’s life. That is until someone claims knowledge that The Last Front is stolen from Athena.

A question that has come up in contemporary publishing is what connection to a story must an author have. Can an author write on any topic they are interested in? Should diverse stories only be told by diverse voices? Kuang places June squarely in the spotlight on this topic. The style is one of discomfort and is more theoretical in nature than many literary fiction pieces you will read where the characters lead the story.

The narration is solely June and the reader is invited to squirm along with her as she wonders if she will get away with it, if what she is doing is truly wrong, and if Athena’s ghost will continue to haunt her. The author has added some well known and oft compelling arguments for June’s actions that had me as a reader considering my own biases.

Yellowface would make a great book club book, offering many points for discussion. Thank you to @harpercollinsca and @netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. Yellowface publishes May 16, 2023.

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang was such an interesting read. Kuang is masterful in writing a main character's voice that embodies a whole host of motivations, beliefs, and emotions, not the least of which is her implicit and explicit racism which shines through at various points of the story.

I think Kuang used a subtle hand with her sarcasm and her satire, to the point where I believe some people will nod along with the main character June Hayward/Juniper Song, not seeing the issues with some of her beliefs and statements, while others will be outright horrified. I think this idea also reflects in June as a character because she believes herself to be progressive and a Democrat and yet carries with her a whole host of racist ideas and actions that she doesn't even recognize as such.

I also found the commentary on the publishing industry particularly interesting and enlightening. I thought it was woven in nicely with the story as a whole and provided a great backdrop to explore Juniper's motivations and beliefs.

Kuang also weaves in some commentary on social media, but I'm not too well-versed in this space so I can't comment much on its strength. To me, it felt genuine.

Despite all of the heavy topics involved in this book, at the end of the day, it was also just so readable! I saw one review that said that the book was both compulsively readable and uncomfortable, and I couldn't agree more. You want so badly to know what June is going to do next, but you're also horrified at every next step that she takes.

I will definitely be reading more from R.F. Kuang in the future. Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my review!

Rating 4.5
First time reading R.F. Kuang’s work, and I have to admit she’s on her way to being one of my favs.
Wow, what a ride! This was one of the most disturbing and upsetting stories I’ve read, and I loved it. The story really keeps you hooked, and you can’t wait for June to fall on her a**! Believe me; you will hate June, then feel bad for and then hate her again. The only con is the ending felt quick and rushed.

I know exactly why Rebecca Kuang wrote this book. Anyone terminally online and involved in fandoms, particularly the very fandoms she calls out being Chinese web novels and Chinese drama fandoms, will be able to connect the dots to the xenophobic and sinophobic ways that whitewashing and cultural erasure work. While most likely inspired by recent events, mentioning The Untamed, BTS, and boba tea 3 times sure was a very Asian moment, this is a work that doesn't feel like it'll be outdated. Beneath the story of racism, are also interesting and entertaining caricatures of the publishing industry which makes the novel lighter. This novel takes all of Kuang's power and packs it into a modern punch. Well done.

I finished YELLOWFACE!!!!! Or did Yellowface finish me? 🤔

R. F. Kuang’s latest just confirms for me that I will follow her rage wherever it goes 🔥 The number of times I would pause in my reading and mutter, “this bitch…” is hilariously high. If you ever wondered, “what would more of Letty’s perspective been like??” in BABEL, or how could Michael in DISORIENTATION have the fucking audacity — then you’re in for a treat. Because the story is all told from the perspective of the thief herself. Juniper Song is both protagonist as well as antagonist, and the experience is a trip. It hits like a subversive flipping of the infamous unhinged white woman trope and an indictment of the publishing industry two-for-one punch!

Kuang’s writing is biting and darkly comedic , and I found myself unable to stop reading more of Juniper Song’s fucked up story. Just thinking about it now has me heated LOL. I can’t wait for this to come out in May because people are going to eat this up and then can be angry with me 😤 Right in time for #aapiheritagemonth

so so good. The satire was phenomenal. I hated this MC so much. Honestly I think I hate everyone in the publishing world. So many people with the worst intentions thinking they exude the right ones.

Juniper Song, I hate you, but I was fascinated by you. Driven by jealousy and greed in the name of a deceased fellow writer and hardly a friend. People are so fake, as we saw in this novel, you really can't trust anyone.

I loved the pacing of this novel. I could not put it down. I think this will be a top book of the year for me.

June Hayward and Athena Liu were both authors who got deals as young, freshly grauated college students. June is white, Athena is Asian American. June's work flopped, and Athena rose to critical accliam. The two stayed "friends," and occasionnaly spent time together, until one night they are hanging out and there's a freak accident and June sees Athena die. She also finds Athena's latest manuscript, and decides to take it home.
When reading the eArc, I just couldn't get into it, but the audiobook was great! The narrator had great inflection and brought the voice of the main character out in a way that the text didn't for me.
Though I wasn't a huge fan of the voice of the main character, this book brings up a lot of important topics about the publishing industry, social personas, social media, cancel culture, misogyny, diversity, racism, cultural appropriation, and micro-agressions. It's doing A LOT, so some things aren't explored as deeply, but it brings up a lot of current issues and even though fictional, shows a side of publishing that fans and readers don't often get to see.

❝ what more can we want as writers, but such immortality? don’t ghosts just want to be remembered?❞

oh my god. RF Kuang has made me read literary fiction - and LIKE it. A feat I didn't even think was possible. She's stepped out from fantasy and I thought - hey maybe I can too. And I'm so glad I did.

Yellowface reads like an inside joke. Kuang and I are sitting on a bench and scrolling on booktwt and laughing the entire time while commenting 'go touch some grass' at the protagonists of this novel. It's satire to the fullest, dark and sinister with just the right touch of slapstick humor to be considered a thriller. Have you ever seen american psycho? this is my version.

I hate June so much and she's easy to hate, she's written to be hateable- to not hate her by the end of this is a red flag. She's a loser, an unreliable narrator and a white woman who thinks voting biden means she's not racist. She's obsessed with Athena and her success and thinks "surely this is because Athena is Asian and publishing loves Asian stories rn" and not because "I'm a bad writer". There's even a scene of her mentoring an Asian college student where she point blank says how publishing will be DYING for her novel since she's Asian and queer.

So when Athena dies - her first thought is to steal her manuscript and pass it off as her own. But to do that she must whitewash it. There's entire paragraphs about this - how she renames the characters to be easier to follow, more sympathetic white ones are added in, real life cruelties are taken away to make the white soldiers less evil. Even her name is changed - she publishes under her  "hippie" middle name Song and takes what she calls "an ethnically ambiguous photo".

And June sees nothing wrong with this.

One thing I LOVED about this novel is that Athena isn't let off the hook either - even in death she's still overly criticized as soon as a negative thought piece on her goes viral - of her selling Asian pain for profit. Athena is no saint - she's a literary darling but there's a very important point here on where the line is on profiting off culture.

I won't get into the rest of the story because I think y'all should read this downfall for yourself, but this is simply put one of the best novels I've read in a while. June is a mouthpiece and RF uses her extremely well to showcase the racism, sexism and all out bigotry in both the publishing world and online discourse.

cw// death, choking, suicide mention, c slur, sexual assault, theft, blackmail

Thank you to the publisher for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much, Harper Collins, for providing me with an E-Arc for review!!

R. F. Kuang’s brain is really and truly everything. She really is my favorite author and weaves so much intricate commentary into everything she creates she continues to change the way I read & consume books & media, and her books continue to absolutely rattle and shake up the genres with which they are published.

The fact that Kuang considers Yellowface a silly little gremlin pandemic book is SO WILD to me because, in my opinion, it packs a punch to the same degree as The Poppy War and Babel do; just in this case, it’s more modern. The way this book breaks down ignorance, racism, white womanhood, false allyship, tokenization, fetishization, corrupt publishing, cancel culture, and more was so incredibly profound, and it also reads as such a biting and witty satire, and it’s absolutely brilliant!

Being inside the head of the protagonist June was one of the most viscerally aggravating reading experiences I’ve maybe ever had, but it also was so unbelievably entertaining and actually physically jaw-dropping and gag-worthy following along with June, and her absolute delusions and Caucasity & I was so enthralled by every aspect of this book. The way it also has some genre-bending psychological thriller and near paranormal horror elements thrown in there as well was such an unexpected surprise, and I really and truly would read R. F. Kuang’s grocery list.

TW: Racism, tokenization, fetishization, SA/Rape (not a graphic depiction of the act, but the after-effects and thoughts and trauma), death, violence, blood, Grief, Psychosis, Toxic Friendship, Cultural Appropriation, Islamophobia, Racial Slurs, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Antisemitism, Bullying, Hate Crime,

I read Yellowface by @kuangrf
Back in March 2023. Thank you to @harpercollinsca for my eARC copy. Official publication date is May 16th, 2023.

All I have to say is...
Holy f****** satire! All future
writers & Bookstagrammers
need to check this out, totally worth the read. Kuang
can write anything and I would read it. She has a way of grabbing your attention and holding you on the end of your seat the whole way through.
Unputdownable, slow clap 👏.

Similar to The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz, but 💯 times better 😅.

I can't wait to get a hardcopy on release day to add this one to my forever shelf.

While this was not my favorite R.F. Kuang novel, it was certainly enjoyable in the most uncomfortable way. The characters are deliciously unlikeable, the story will make you cringe, and it's a quick read that you can knock out in a couple of days. My main critique is that the inspection of the publishing industry, while fair, reads too much like Kuang's voice as if it came from her social media feed. Much of it was too "on-the-nose," so to speak. I have a feeling this was the intent though, so it was well-written, just lacking in the subtlety that it really needed.

DNF @50%

This is RF Kuang…someone who writes so vividly and in tune with racism that it made me so viscerally angry. The only reason this book is a DNF is because it kept making my blood pressure spike.

There are so many white people that truly believe in reverse racism, so I just wanted to throw Juniper off of a cliff. I LOATHED her, and I couldn’t keep reading without wanting to throw something across the room.

Kuang weaves compulsively readable and fascinating tale based in pop culture and the publishing industry. The storytelling is artful, the book is constantly entertaining, and I haven't had such a good reading experience in a long time. I will definitely be recommending this book on my platforms.

I thought the concept of this book was fascinating and timely. It was very well done without being over the top. I love Kuang’s writing and storytelling.

This book isn’t out for a while, so I don’t want to spoil anything in this review! Speaking generally about the book, this is what I can say:

1. I was debating starting this one, but after the first page I was hooked.

2. I came to this book because I liked The Other Black Girl. This book is not that book and quite honestly, it’s a stretch! I did enjoy both but they are veryyy different stories.

3. I think the first third was spectacular. The middle third was doing a lot and the last part was …. well, it made it very clear this was satire!

4. If you’ve ever wanted a little peek into how publishing, Goodreads, agents etc could work (I don’t know for sure) it’s a fun one to read.

5. The current cover doesn’t do it justice.

6. Thank you, NetGalley, for supporting my ARC habit 💕 onto the next!

asklajflksadfjk

okay okay. This novel is so Interesting like the way R.F Kuang writes June and the way she includes twitter scandals and how the publishing world works and the level of racism that authors of color face and the fragility of white women.

Also. my god June was so unlikeable. Which I love because I was actively rooting for her to crash and burn so hard. And every word out of her mouth was very much "white woman tears on tiktok" and her desperate attempt to be an ally comes off SO performative

god. I can't wait to have a physical copy in my hands.

Thank you to netGalley and William Morrow for the eGalley!