Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

328 reviews

roxiehrt's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-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

5.0

Wow. At first I wasn’t sure if this book was going to be my cup of tea. I usually am a thriller/horror reader, but man this book had me TENSE. From the conversations on racism/appropriation, second hand embarrassment, and tension throughout to the desperation of the main character to try to dig herself out of a hole unscathed, I found it utterly gripping. The last 4th of the book even had some very creepy imagery which veered into ghost story territory. I think that this novel spins you in so many directions, you’ll feel like you have whiplash by the end. I’ve never felt such intensity from a novel that wasn’t straight horror. It did more than most thriller/horror books I’ve read this year with weaving such a complex page-turning narrative. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, Cultural appropriation, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

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

literary_liv's review against another edition

dark funny 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Racism

Moderate: Grief and Gaslighting

Minor: Cultural appropriation, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Racial slurs, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail

shobhana's review against another edition

dark 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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gaslighting, Rape, Death of parent, Bullying, Cultural appropriation, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Eating disorder

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

amysdr's review against another edition

funny informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Gaslighting, Murder, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Racism, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and War

Minor: Islamophobia, Stalking, Abortion, Body horror, Bullying, and Medical content

emilyjean917201999's review against another edition

challenging funny reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• 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: Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Death, Vomit, and Cultural appropriation

Minor: Colonisation, Classism, Racial slurs, Suicide, Blood, War, and Violence

neurodivergentbookshit's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny inspiring tense 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

4.75

this one was hard to read, but in a good way. kuang managed to portray issues like cultural appropriation, yellowfacing, „cancel culture“, victim blaming, and so much more in a way that didn‘t feel forced for the most part, but very realistically. the ending really completed and perfected it all. i cried and i laughed and i gasped. it was a lot, but i really enjoyed it because it was so spot on

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexual violence, Racial slurs, and Death

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Gaslighting

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

ellaxo's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia and Bullying

Moderate: Gaslighting, Racial slurs, Death, and Racism

Minor: Alcohol