This book is absolutely stunning. Tense, compelling, and utterly readable. I couldn't put it down. The subject matter is incredibly important to explore, and I felt the anxiety throughout. It had perfect pacing. There was not a single slow moment. Every word was used efficiently and effectively.

This book was a good read. The topic is timely and makes you think. I must say, I didn't love the characters and couldn't relate to them, but it kept my interest.

I am a big fan of RF Kuang and I was excited to read this ARC. The story was interesting, the writing was smart and the portrayal of the publishing world and our modern world in general was accurate. The main character was deeply unlikable and Kuang’s character work with her was masterful. My one issue with this book was the length. The plot got muddied and a bit boring in the middle which really detracted from the overall message in the end. Overall, I liked the book and I think it will do well in libraries and will spark important conversations about race in our current society.

Epic, immersive storytelling ♥️

When I requested this ARC, I didn’t have a super strong opinion on it. Sure, it sounded interesting but it was way outside the genre of books I usually read.
BUT, 2023 is the year I step out of my comfort zone. This book was stunning.
Even though this author has written some amazing books, and the hype around them is legendary, this was my first experience with their writing and I want more.
I want to know what happens with her last manuscript, and Candice’s tell all. I want to know what she did to the tapes. I want to know what happens to June after all.
I went from wanting June to fail, then succeed, and then back to failing so many times, which sounds weird but was absolutely wonderful as a reader. The story was such an experience, like NOTHING else I’ve ever read.
I’ve already preordered the physical copy and will be recommending it to everyone.
Well done, wow…. Just wow.

3.5 stars. An interesting look at the publishing industry. Seems to be loosely based on Kuang's own experiences as a writer. The main character is insufferable, but I suppose that's the point? Loved the nod to the toxic nature of Goodreads reviews. Probably would have worked better as a short story or novella. Not particularly profound or memorable, but you have to give props to Kuang for trying something different.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

I'm saving my full review for the 2023 Modern Mrs Darcy Summer Reading Guide, because we'll definitely provide coverage there! From the author of Babel, a juicy literary thriller (in both senses) set in the world of publishing that is easy to devour. Very much in the vain of other novels set in the literary world about authors behaving badly, like Jean Hanff Korelitz's The Plot and John Colapinto's About the Author, with the ominous build of Zakiya Dalila Harris’s The Other Black Girl. Kuang's writing is terrific, her analysis skillful, her themes sophisticated and layered. I can't wait to gush about this to everyone I know.

Rebecca Kuang is, full stop, a GENIUS. I have no idea how she manages to make each book better than the last, but she truly does. YELLOWFACE is brilliant, incisive, hilarious, and deeply unsettling. I don't know how Kuang manages to make such a cutting satire feel somehow kind? I want every bookish person to read this book and then talk to me about it, because I think I'll never be able to stop talking. GENIUS!

rf kuang is one of my all time favorite authors. i enjoyed this book, but i felt it did not match the voice of her other books (which i think is the point), but i was a little disappointed. a lot happened off page and it felt like we were just being told things rather than experiencing them (which again, maybe makes sense because it takes place over 2 years). despite these things, i enjoyed it a lot: i loved the insight into the publishing process and the satirical tone that it took. it made me uncomfortable, which is always the sign of a good book. overall, i would recommend, just dont go into it thinking this book is the next babel.

Wow. My first read of 2023 and I am already blown away by literary fiction from publishing's new star, R. F. Kuang.

I love reading books about writing books and publishing. There is something so delicious and mesmerizing as if you are not only looking at a beautiful painting but watching it unfold straight from the painters brushes. There is so much to say about this novel and a lot will bring controversy to the publishing world. The main takeaway I got from this book was: who has the right to tell what story?

Kuang's prose is much more assured and spiteful in a way that really contextualizes the narrator and protagonist of this story, June. June is a white woman living in DC and working on her next novel after her debut completely flopped. Her best "friend" (more on this later) is the amazing Athena Liu. Athena Liu published her debut after Yale, like June, but her first novel was received with such critical acclaim she became the literary darling of the year while June and her career faded into the background. However, Athena and June hang out together quite frequently. They often have celebratory drinks or dinner when one, mostly Athena, meets a publishing goal. This is the setup for an often-messy but exhilarating ride in Kuang's new "Yellowface." Judging by the title readers will probably have a guess on how this story will unfold. However, there are so many twists and turns that I was not prepared for. The essence of this story really boils down to racism and lack of diversity in the publishing world. It also raises the question of 'if the story is a diverse representation of a forgotten history does the author's race matter?' The crux of the story is that yes, it does very much so. However, even more so, the story is about an obsession with fame and the risks people will take to become a success.

it doesn't get much better than R F Kuang, and this is Kuang at her best. YELLOWFACE is satirical, cutting, and still somehow has a kindness to it, despite it all? I couldn't put this down. It's an incredible genre move for Kuang, and it shows she can do literary thriller just as well as she can do fantasy.

R.F. Kuang offers up a scathing, satirical novel about racism in publishing in her literary fiction debut. The most wild thing about this book is that everything that happens is frighteningly believable; this book is in conversation with several literary controversies (American Dirt, anyone? That YA author who stalked and catfished her Goodreads reviewer?) that have happened over the last few years. Kuang writes one of the most unlikeable narrators of all time - June has little to no introspective abilities, and her often insane thoughts are reminiscent of some of the most unhinged authorial “hot takes” that have made the rounds on twitter. While this book might not have lasting power - it requires the reader to understand specific complexities of book twitter and Goodreads - it captures a powerful snapshot of the 2020s literary and reviewer landscape and the problems within.

The road to publishing a bestseller is paved with good intentions. And lies, and manslaughter, and maybe even a little bit of good, old fashioned racism. R.F. Kuang's lit fic debut is masterfully written, full of clean prose and whirlwind pacing.

I find myself hesitant to write this review, picturing R.F. Kuang herself reading it and making notes (like the Junie Song). BUT, I liked this a lot. I love big bang-up endings and this is certainly THAT. It did remind me, oh so much, of Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne (which I loved), except that Junie Song isn't as clearly criminal as the creative thief in that book. Really good, fast moving, one of those ones that you'll want to read fast to find out what happens at the end.

Zingy, poignant, and razor sharp.

'Yellowface' is a masterfully written exploration of racism in the publishing industry and the commercialization of identity, scrutinizing the performance of literary critique in online spaces and the unique horrors of truth-bending sensationalism along the way.

The story was absolutely wild and unhinged, and it was all the better for it. If you like stories narrated by villains, this is the book for you.

It was uncomfortable and upsetting to read. I was cringing every other paragraph with disgust and frustration over the narrator, author Juniper Hayward, who couldn't go one single scene without expressing some sort of racist thought, comment, or action. Gaslighting and mental gymnastics were her forte. It's amazing how far she went to avoid accountability for her misguided views and actions. Though, diving deeper into the story reveals there wasn't a single likable or redeemable character. June was backed by a similarly racist publishing team, and attacked viciously online to a point of hysteria. Every character we meet was motivated by goals fraught with desperation and self-interest. That being said, every turn of the plot felt unsettlingly real.

I honestly threw my phone across my couch by the end.

BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE- every nuanced negativity was crafted with intention to make a point, and R F Kuang more than succeeded in her commentarial aim. For that, her work deserves these five stars. 'Yellowface' is brilliantly infuriating, and the questions it begs the reader to contemplate are worth your time.

I won't be forgetting or getting over Athena Liu's ghost any time soon. This book is one that will surely haunt me for a long time to come.

(This review is based on an e-ARC I received.)

R.F. Kuang's Yellowface is all in all, a very fun book. It's about white writer June Hayward who's in shadow of her superstar former Yale classmate, Athena Liu. When Athena chokes to death on a pandan pancake, June steals her manuscript, edits it, and peddles it off as her own. Chaos ensues.

As someone terminally on writing twitter, Kuang has exactly diagnosed how its boom and bust cycles work. I had a few issues with the text--(spoilers)

I could spot who the 'ghost Athena' was from a mile away; the twitter wars portion of the book felt overlong; the writing felt defensive on Kuang's part at times (as was aptly pointed out in several other NG reviews); the clueless whiteness of June was at times overlabored.

All in all, I found Yellowface to be a flawed but fun read. I'm suitably terrified of publishing now lol.

RF Kuang is back with another show stopping novel that is sure to chart all the top lists of the year 2023. I was very interested to read the premises of this book as it didn't match the Fantasy aesthetics of her previous novel. I did not doubt RF Kunag would write an insightful novel that is strong in her beliefs which exemplify social injustices. The characters in YELLOWFACE truly fell off the page and I could not put this book down until I had finished it. I hope Kuang continues to write more books like this one, but I am excited to read whatever she puts out next regardless!

"Yellowface" is the perfect novel for people who hate "American Dirt," but loved the "American Dirt" controversy. Unlike Kuang's previous works of historical fantasy, "Yellowface" is as contemporary as it gets. The novel follows June Hayward, a mediocre white author who steals the manuscript of her friend—the Chinese-American literary darling Athena Liu. "Yellowface" masterfully explores questions of race, ownership, and cancel culture, with Kuang's astute insight into the topics delivered through biting satire. While potentially too inside baseball for the casual reader, for anyone working in the book industry, "Yellowface" will be an absolute treat. Razor-sharp and captivating, "Yellowface" proves Kuang is can tackle any genre.

Wow!! This books was amazing! I literally could not put it down and read it one day! This is was first book by R.F. Kuang and I am definitely eager to read more by her. This is the kind of book where every character is extremely unlikable especially the main character which I’m usually not a fan of but it really worked in this book. All the commentary on racism, the publishing and book industry and social media as a whole were brilliant! I really loved this novel and can’t wait to recommend to everyone!

This is much different than R.F. Kuang's other works - still similar themes, but the writing style is more "poppy," so to speak. A searing take on the publishing industry. Loved all the DC references.

What an unlikeable narrator! This book will definitely be popular with book clubs and other groups that like to discuss books. BTW, there's also an unrelated play with this title by David Henry Hwang