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kaylee_2182's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
emmapicaro4's review
challenging
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
3.5
bookishnads's review against another edition
4.0
And she does it again! What an unbelievable concept, exceptionally well executed.
This book is filled with complex characters, it's witty, it's hilariously ironic, it's insightful, audacious, bold, horrifying, and surprisingly quite heartwarming. And somewhere along the way R.F Kuang has you rooting for the villain in the story.
Mostly, this is such a brilliant take on the "trendiness" of marginalization that is so prominent today. Where the call for representation within all aspects of society is growing louder and more space is given to POC, Yellowface raises the very real issue of white creators refusal to bridge the gap, instead trying to adopt minority traits like trends, tapping into that 0.1% of non white heritage or altering faces and bodies with cosmetics, surgery and fake tans to look racially ambiguous - or in this case, telling our stories in a way that is without the nuance and insight that comes from actually understanding the struggle.
Kuang does something so incredibly clever in her subtle depictions of racism this book. Don't get me wrong, I mean there are plenty of of obvious and blatant examples of racism in this as well. But at the same time she is subtle as hell, weaving in so many little microagressions that honestly, maybe a reader who has never been subjected to racism would not even think twice about, but which made me as a WOC (who has experienced similar microagressions countless times) sigh and cringe and itch with relatability.
In summary, this is an important, funny and brilliant social commentary on cancel culture, whitewashing and racism, among so many other things - wrapped into an absolutely wild work of fiction that honestly, only R.F Kuang could pull off this well.
This book is filled with complex characters, it's witty, it's hilariously ironic, it's insightful, audacious, bold, horrifying, and surprisingly quite heartwarming. And somewhere along the way R.F Kuang has you rooting for the villain in the story.
Mostly, this is such a brilliant take on the "trendiness" of marginalization that is so prominent today. Where the call for representation within all aspects of society is growing louder and more space is given to POC, Yellowface raises the very real issue of white creators refusal to bridge the gap, instead trying to adopt minority traits like trends, tapping into that 0.1% of non white heritage or altering faces and bodies with cosmetics, surgery and fake tans to look racially ambiguous - or in this case, telling our stories in a way that is without the nuance and insight that comes from actually understanding the struggle.
Kuang does something so incredibly clever in her subtle depictions of racism this book. Don't get me wrong, I mean there are plenty of of obvious and blatant examples of racism in this as well. But at the same time she is subtle as hell, weaving in so many little microagressions that honestly, maybe a reader who has never been subjected to racism would not even think twice about, but which made me as a WOC (who has experienced similar microagressions countless times) sigh and cringe and itch with relatability.
In summary, this is an important, funny and brilliant social commentary on cancel culture, whitewashing and racism, among so many other things - wrapped into an absolutely wild work of fiction that honestly, only R.F Kuang could pull off this well.
gia0203's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
tense
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Moderate: Rape, Death, Grief, Cultural appropriation, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
sydthehobbit's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
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
5.0
Juniper Song goes on my list of most infuriating villains. I ate this up. The entire ride felt like I was watching BookTok drama, which I do a little too frequently. What can I say? I love the tea.
bernonie's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0