Reviews tagging 'Death'

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

1074 reviews

lostgwennel's review

Go to review page

funny mysterious tense medium-paced
  • 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

2.75

Listened to this for free on spotify (it’s one of those audiobooks that’s included in premium) and I almost stopped in chapter one because the narrator’s attempt at an english accent was so bad. The story was gripping and a fun satire, but it left me feeling bitter and negative, and I couldn’t tell whether it was the writing, the main character or the VA who I was finding annoying. I wanna perservere and try reading another R.F. Kuang because I have a feeling the format ruined it for me.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

katara42's review

Go to review page

dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

emmagreenwood's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark 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

3.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

readtomea97's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark funny tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

rachael_jo's review

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

cheyison's review

Go to review page

challenging dark tense fast-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

4.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

joensign's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense 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

5.0

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

readingonthefly's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-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

4.0

I needed a Y title for my alphabet challenge, and someone suggested Yellowface. All I knew was this author also wrote Babel and I was very intimidated. I checked it out from Libby and thought if I didn’t like it I could return and find another Y title. 

I went in blind and WOW, I was so surprised that I really liked this! A very unlikeable main character and I just ate it up. It also takes place where I live! I loved the mention of the exorcist stairs, as I actually went there as a kid. 

It was a quick audio I really enjoyed, and happy to check off another letter! 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ladygetslit's review

Go to review page

challenging emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Yellowface was a fascinating look into the inner workings of the publishing industry through the eyes of a white woman who feels like she’s being overlooked in the age of diversity. 

As a white woman who at one point hoped to make it as a published author, this book gave me so much anxiety. I fully understand what Kuang was trying to do with the book, but it was difficult to read, even though it felt like the story flew by. 

In the end, I was left feeling… kind of lost. I feel like the premise—racist white lady tries to take credit for her deceased Asian friend’s writing—forced the book into a box when it could’ve been more complex. 

Overall: worth the read, but it could have gone further in its critique of the publishing industry and racism within the book world in particular. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kmsander4's review

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I went into this one not knowing a damn thing about it and found myself flying through the pages.

One thing I will say for the detractors is it is VERY meta. Lots of talk of twitter and goodreads, pop culture references sprinkled throughout. So if that takes you out of a story, then this one may not be for you.

But truthfully, I found it to be a dark, witty story that highlights some of the most negative aspects of the publishing industry. If you ask me, I'd say it was definitely worth the hype it received!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings