Reviews with content warning for Death - Yellowface

This was so good, I listened to this entire audiobook in just one day. It’s cringey and realistic, with lots of micro aggressions and covert racism. It was a fascinating read, and as a white person, I could see the slippery slope of racism/appropriation. This is a book I will think about for a long time. I didn’t prefer the ending (this book almost felt like it would end up as a literary horror but it didn’t go quite that far). The main character kind of descends into madness but I wanted more. Such a good read that talks about the sins of the publishing industry and the impact of race. The author did a beautiful job making me both hate the main character and feel for her.

Content Warnings

frogspawn's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark funny informative reflective sad medium-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

4.75

sharp, informative, deeply reflective, and doubtlessly witty

Content Warnings

poirot's review against another edition

Go to review page

reflective medium-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

2.25

Content Warnings

keelin04's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I found this book SO well done. The first person writing style with our ridiculously unreliable narrator is really engaging and made me think about situations in ways I never would have otherwise. It was frustrating (in a good way) to read through June's obsessive and twisted paths of logic and reasoning, and to realize things like the fact that

she would often name white authors/actors/people in general directly before or after referring to POC as things like "that Asian lady" or similar.

Throughout the book, it is also evident that

June does have experiences to dive into in which she is a victim. Her relationship with her mom and her assault are both experiences that would garner attention and sympathy, yet she seemingly chooses to ignore these things in favour of villifying asian people and complaining that because she is white, nobody will read her stories.

Content Warnings

liamliayaum's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional informative reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

beanqueen_'s review against another edition

Go to review page

dark funny 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

4.5

I passed over this book for a while because I assumed it was going to be a challenging book about experiencing racism and not a fun read. I was very wrong and was blown away by how awful the main character was, but I couldn't look away. A real page turner for sure!

Content Warnings

mt_tana's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I could not put this book down. Seeing how Junes perspective and outlook changed as she morphed into ‘Juniper’ turned her from a self conscious aspiring writer into an insufferable best seller, and finally to a jaded, victim mindset, guilt ridden woman. Viewing the world through her lens and FEELING IT CHANGE made me feel deeply disappointed in her, but then watching her downfall, was juuuuust a little bit satisfying because of it. I mean, being so self serving while the body is STILL WARM???? K.

This book has a lot of racist and xenophobic themes within and the author is able to drive her point home. So many parts made me gag at how obtuse and ignorant Juniper was.

There are so many stories being told at the same time.

The satire is palpable.

It’s very well done.

Content Warnings

abigail_baxter's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious tense 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

4.75

this one’s a thinker just like babel (still my favorite Kuang book) and i would love to see a full analysis of the layers to this story. if you are interested in the complexities of diversity and the way that it is commodified in many industries/cancel culture/the thought process of someone who is so audacious in their appropriation but also always has a justification then this is the book for you. also love knowing all the spots in dc that juniper goes to :)

Content Warnings

More...