A review by annoyedhumanoid
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

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

4.5

satire is really hard to do well i feel, but Yellowface manages it in the end. it was amusing to hear “i voted for Biden” replace “i voted for Obama” as the new questionable shorthand for antiracism.

why was i so riveted by the publishing industry! the in-depth account of the book release process somehow kept me engaged for some 300 pages. there was a lull in the middle with the constant twitter drama, but it picked back up for a solid ending.

the narrator is very convincing. reading her misdeeds gave me a feeling like i too was getting canceled online. when people didn’t smile back at the park i got anxious like they know. though i wish i better understood her motivations, what compelled her back to self-destruction every time. for someone who muses about Icarus, she really loved flying directly toward the sun.

Helen Laser did a great job on the audiobook.