Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

470 reviews

kkpines's review against another edition

dark 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

4.25

A masterful depiction of how guilt can drive a person to self-destruction, a descent as grotesque as it is addictive—I just couldn't look away.

I found myself itching at June to quit – as she pushed on, trapped in a performance, unable to differentiate between where her skin ends and Athena’s begins. 

The suspense escalates beautifully, only to fizzle at the end. June escapes relatively unscathed, raising questions about accountability – a detail that resonates as a commentary on her white privilege and the publishing industry's neglect of minority voices. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and War

Moderate: Alcohol and Gaslighting

Minor: Death of parent, Sexual assault, Rape, and Suicidal thoughts

danieladas8's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I was so annoyed and disgusted with the main character that more than once I wanted to punch her or through the book across the room, and for that I know I love the story and its characters. 

They are so well constructed, they’re raw, emotional, flawed and even when you hate them, you get them and pity them.

The story in itself is so unique and well thought out, I’m glad I had the chance to cleansed my reader palette with something so different. Its writing is messy, confusing and at the same time well paced and transparent. It’s a reflection of its protagonist complexities and state of mind. Which, I believe, also showcases, and I’m not sure how accurately, the mischievous and derogating publishing industry and world we live in. 

Thank you, R. Kuang, for such an interesting and exciting narrative. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Colonisation, Xenophobia, Bullying, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death

Moderate: Drug abuse, Toxic friendship, Rape, and War

Minor: Suicide, Dementia, Sexual violence, and Self harm

laurentj's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Racial slurs, Rape, and Racism

frogspawn's review against another edition

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Racism, Stalking, War, Rape, Colonisation, and Grief

poirot's review against another edition

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Xenophobia, Bullying, Cultural appropriation, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Vomit and Alcohol

Minor: Death of parent

mt_tana's review against another edition

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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Grief, Cultural appropriation, and Death

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Rape

turidt's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Mental illness

Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Vomit

grunbean's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad 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

If I had a penny for every time I’d read a book by an amazing Asian author about yellow face this year, I’d have two pennies, but it’s cool that it has happened twice! 

I don’t think I’ve read a book where I’ve been so invested but so revoked by the main character at the same time. This isn’t a story of heroes, and every character can be viewed as shitty in some way. Which ultimately ties in to where this book goes!

This is a unique kind of horror, and I would really recommend trying it!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Racial slurs, Islamophobia, War, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Mental illness, and Grief

georgiarowe's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense slow-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 loved this book! Such a fantastic story and a very creative way to tell it. I wish I could give more stars! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Death, and Cultural appropriation

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual violence

mjones14's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Very very good. Only reason it's not a 5 stars is I found the ending relatively predictable. The voice in this steals the show - as someone who studied creative writing, I feel so exposed it was terrifying 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Grief, Colonisation, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Death, and Bullying

Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Rape

Minor: War and Islamophobia