Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

223 reviews

erin__melissa's review against another edition

dark informative reflective 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

3.75

I enjoyed this book! However, it was so drenched in the main character’s micro aggressions and overt racism (which she constantly justified) that it felt satirical and redundant often. 

The ending is quick. I think that was a wise move–  how else would things wrap up?  Of course the cyclical pattern would repeat. 

One thing that bugging me. Did the EMTs, doctors, and nurses not notice the bite mark on June’s arm?! It was bad enough to draw blood! It should have been mentioned again, or remove from the fight, because it doesn’t fit the narrative of falling down the stairs while jogging.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Racism, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Toxic friendship

melniksuzuki's review against another edition

dark medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Violence, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Sexual assault and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Suicide, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Murder, and War

katrinalamothe's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense fast-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, and Colonisation

Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Vomit, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Alcohol, and War

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Islamophobia, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail

forestfloor's review

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

Incredible book, as engaging as it is uncomfortable - I could not put it down!

I was most impressed by Kuang's ability to write from June's perspective as the villain while walking the line between making her neither flat and one dimensional, nor a sympathetic anti-hero. Despite most of the characters having their negative traits far more readily described and explored that their positives, they all still felt like they were whole people, past the limitations of June's perspective. 

I found it so interesting to follow June's fluctuating reliability as a narrator, particularly as her mental health degrades. Her descent into anxiety and delusion was so evocative, and again - it's so impressive that even as she's breaking down she is clearly not the victim. 

I have heard some people found the ending to be too predictable - I would have described it as believable, but your appreciation of it may vary depending on how much of a surprise you like the reveal of your mysteries to be.

Overall an absolutely brilliant exploration of whiteness, writing and publishing. Cannot wait to read more of Kuang's other works. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, and Cultural appropriation

Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, and War

sarasbookmark's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective 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? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Cultural appropriation, and Colonisation

Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Grief, Stalking, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and War

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Vomit, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Injury/Injury detail

britbreeze's review against another edition

dark tense fast-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, and Dysphoria

Moderate: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Eating disorder, Mental illness, Rape, and Vomit

tofubaby's review against another edition

dark funny fast-paced

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

4.5

thoroughly enjoyable and had me laughing out light. it’s a fun and unique way for the author to make a criticism of the publishing industry. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship

lindsaybethlyons's review against another edition

dark medium-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

4.0

Wonderfully written. Compelling plot. I struggle with books in which I don’t like the main character though. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Racism, and Rape

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Death of parent, and War

booktalkwithrae's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I don’t know how R. F. Kuang writes so beautifullya and crafts very easy reads that give you such complex feelings, thoughts, and questions.

I am always thinking and reflecting upon myself as a human as well as the questions of our society and what is right and what is wrong. Her characters feel so absolutely real and sometimes you can see yourself in the darkest parts of the character, which makes you reflect and think upon yourself as a human in society. Could you ever do that? have you ever had that thought or dark feeling in your conscious self?

As always, the ending left me completely unsatisfied, and yet it is so well crafted and so well done that I don’t know what kind of ending would have made me satisfied. And that’s R. F. Kuang for you… because there is no good ending with her characters that she creates.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Violence, and Cultural appropriation

wet_towlette's review against another edition

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

4.0

I have never read a story that has such a hypocritical and annoying main character that I enjoyed reading this much. Like this girl was crazy and as much as I wasn't rooting for her it's hard not be impressed by the shit she's pulling off. Also, that was the perfect ending for a character like this

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Cultural appropriation, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Classism