Reviews with content warning for Murder - Yellowface

Reviews tagging 'Murder'

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

42 reviews

cozymo's review against another edition

dark emotional funny tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Wow. Wow. Wow. Where to begin…

This was my first Kuang read, but it won’t be my last, given my 5-star rating here. And what an introduction this read was to such a talented / witty / authoritative author.

I don’t know what I was expecting from Yellowface, but it certainly delivered on its promise of a twisted, micro aggression boasting, blatantly racist, unreliable narrator. Its glimpse into the publishing industry was unabashed and unrelenting, providing a peek into the often grotesque echo chamber behind the books on our shelves.

Won’t give too much away here, but I was enthralled by Juniper’s narcissistic voice, which often reminded me of Joe Goldberg’s panicked—often manic—self righteous pursuit of self preservation.

I couldn’t put this book down, eating up all of Juniper’s fucked up notions of her place in the world, of her fears of being forgotten to the consumption machine we all bow down to in the Internet age. Exactly what she could only hope for, I’m sure.

As I said in a Buddy Read:

I think it’s the fear of most creators / artists in the age of the Internet.

Something you spend hours, days, months, or even years on can be consumed in a manner of seconds or in just one sitting.

Then what?

The consumption machine demands more. More coal for the engine to eat. So, creators supply more, more, more. If they don’t, they will in a way float off into irrelevance.

For the consumer, it’s onto the next thing to “eat.” If you’re not the one slapping food on the plate, who even are you? Just a name people can barely remember?

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shannnne_reads_words's review against another edition

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challenging mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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lyss_reads's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

4.75

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clavishorti's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

3.0

In the exploration of the highly acclaimed and talked-about work, Yellowface by R. F. Kuang, we are invited into the intricate labyrinth of the literary world, dissecting societal issues spanning from authors to readers, publishers, and even book critics. With a narrative that boldly addresses these challenges, R. F. Kuang sets the stage for a gripping exploration of the fierce battle between ambition and identity.

Entering the world of Yellowface, my excitement soared, fueled by a compelling synopsis and the book’s buzz within reader circles. The depiction of tragic events in Athena Liu’s life and the transformative identity shift by June Hayward were truly captivating. However, as the story unfolded, my high expectations were tempered by a narrative that felt somewhat flat in certain sections. The rich and promising premise seemed to lack the profound exploration I had anticipated, leaving me with lingering curiosities.

The journey through Yellowface became an emotional trial in itself. Despite attempting to weave through the tale of manuscript theft and identity struggles, I often found myself trapped in layers of storytelling that lacked depth. The character development of June Hayward, meant to be a source of controversy, at times lost its allure, even until the story’s conclusion, prompting me to question the ultimate destination of this narrative. Nevertheless, I persevered in completing the reading, only to encounter a sense of emptiness from the middle to the end.

Nevertheless, Yellowface possesses commendable merits. R. F. Kuang’s transparency and insight into the ruthlessness of the literary and publishing world deserve applause. Through the eyes of a successful author, R. F. Kuang opens the backstage door of the industry, exposing injustices towards certain writers and the ceaseless battles waged on social media. The social critique presented remains relevant and crucial.

Ultimately, Yellowface unfolds complex layers that permeate the fabric of literature, opening our eyes to how the world can influence and upheave the pursuit of one’s identity and ambitions. Despite its execution flaws, the book constructs a stage for in-depth discussions on morality, social intricacies, and the bitter realities of literary life. For readers seeking a narrative with sharp exploration into the realities of literature and society, Yellowface continues to be an intriguing journey worth exploring.

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rorysilk's review against another edition

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dark reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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torismazarine's review

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dark reflective tense 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

3.5

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emmhardt's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

5.0

You ever read a book that makes you feel so disgusting and furious you need a shower and a drink afterward? Props to Kuang for writing a character so utterly, perfectly unlikeable. Juniper has fleeting moments of goodness that are always undercut by a need for power, relevance, righteousness, and hatred. She can see nothing past the bleary vision of her determination to be awful. An absolutely perfect book.

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