Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

564 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

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

fory0ursake's review against another edition

emotional funny informative reflective 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Cultural appropriation, Bullying, Sexism, and Violence

Moderate: Rape, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Injury/Injury detail

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

courtneys_reading's review

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.5

The writing style of this one had me hooked from the get-go but honestly by the end I just wanted it to be over lol
I think I was expecting something more from it but not sure what to be honest. I think it was interesting to know more about the publishing industry and on some level I relate to the main character and how she feels about writing but yeah overall I think the story was fine.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Racism

Moderate: Rape and Toxic friendship

Minor: Grief, Stalking, and War

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

cynic_reader's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-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

5.0

This is the best book I've read this year; in five years, even. Just WOW. 

I have no words to describe it right now, but all I can say is it's SO GOOD!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Cultural appropriation, and Racism

emilywemily6's review against another edition

emotional 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

This was so good, I listened to this entire audiobook in just one day. It’s cringey and realistic, with lots of micro aggressions and covert racism. It was a fascinating read, and as a white person, I could see the slippery slope of racism/appropriation. This is a book I will think about for a long time. I didn’t prefer the ending (this book almost felt like it would end up as a literary horror but it didn’t go quite that far). The main character kind of descends into madness but I wanted more. Such a good read that talks about the sins of the publishing industry and the impact of race. The author did a beautiful job making me both hate the main character and feel for her.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Cursing, Death, and Racism

Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Toxic friendship, Grief, and Racial slurs

Minor: Alcohol, Classism, Mental illness, and Medical content

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