Reviews with content warning for Islamophobia - Yellowface

Reviews tagging 'Islamophobia'

hayleyvem's review

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dark tense 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

4.0

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kelly_e's review

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dark reflective 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

2.75

Title: Yellowface
Author: R.F. Kuang
Genre: Contemporary
Rating: 2.75
Pub Date: May 25, 2023

T H R E E • W O R D S

Icky • Juicy • Insightful

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Athena Liu is a literary darling. June Hayward is literally nobody. Who wants stories by basic white girls anyway?

But now Athena is dead. And June has her unfinished manuscript...

💭 T H O U G H T S

I'd added Yellowface to my list of possible 2023 releases to explore after attending an online event with the author. The premise had me apprehensive, yet the author did a fantastic job selling me, so when it became available as a 'quick read' through my library I scooped it up.

The fact satirical stories are not my thing is something I knew going in, and yet I picked it up anyways. Another thing I don't care for are stories centered around social media and cancel culture, both of which are central here. So it's clear this novel was not meant for me.

With that said, Kuang's writing is incredible. She delivers a no holds barred account of the ins and outs of the publishing industry - a bold move that paid off. While not for me, I understand all of the love it is receiving. What this book does really well is give readers lots to think about, making it a fantastic book club selection, sure to spark interesting and engaging discussion.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• readers looking for something fast-paced
• fans of the unlikeable narrator
• bookclubs

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"Writing is the closest thing we have to real magic."

"Reading lets us live in someone else’s shoes. Literature builds bridges; it makes our world larger, not smaller."

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jackbifrost's review against another edition

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dark tense fast-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

4.5

Content Warnings

rieriereads's review

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challenging dark informative mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

Writing is the closest thing we have to real magic. Writing is creating something out of nothing, is opening doors to other lands. Writing gives you power to shape your own world when the real one hurts too much.

This is my first R.F. Kuang book, and I really get why she is hyped, beloved, and famous.

Yellowface was, overall, a good read. It started off strong and fast-paced. From the start, you can see June's characteristics, and I love how she was both unreliable and unlikable. Most of the characters were.

From the first pages, it sucks you in so easily. It's a satire of the publishing industry and companies. And it includes so many themes, such as xenophobia, cancel culture, racism, white and pretty privilege, and more.

What I loved the most was June's personality and thoughts. I loved how she fought and tried to show us through her thoughts the "good" part of what she did. It makes us readers cringe, maybe be gaslighted, yet also feel included more, if you get what I mean. I see that how she defended herself was a very human thing to do. Something, not all but most likely, some of us will do when we are in a similar situation.

I also loved reading about her anxious thoughts and her point of view on how she struggled, rose to fame, was hated, and much more. There was no hero in this story; everyone was a villain and a victim in their own way.

I am on 50-50 of how it ended, though. If it continued, I knew the book would be longer and go on like an unending circle. Overall, I liked the story, and I would definitely recommend it, especially to those who are curious to try this and love an unlikable character.

I can't wait to read more of Kuang's work. I have a bright feeling that she'll be one of my favorite authors.

📚 | 46
⭐ | 4
•••

My Rating System

5 🌟 - Life changing, a new favorite read
4 ⭐ - I loved it
3 ⭐ - I liked it
2 ⭐ - It was okay
1 ⭐ - I hated it but decided to not dnf

Content Warnings

stevienotnicks's review against another edition

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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

I’ve never hated a protagonist so much while at the same time absolutely loving the story. It’s appalling in its truth. It was so hard to put down, even when my eyes were begging for sleep.

Kuang’s heavy handed literary commentary on tokenism and the culture wars is unlike anything I’ve ever read. She is anything but subtle with depictions of racism, both quiet and overt, you can’t help but wonder if it’s slightly autobiographical in nature, with her taking on the role of Athena, or even perhaps a Diana or Candice.

It’s our nature as readers to want to root for the narrator and Kuang makes this utterly impossible in the best way. You’ll love to hate June, but cannot stop watching the chaos unfold.

This book was perfection in every way and has easily jumped up to my favorite read of 2023.

Content Warnings