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A review by couldbestephen
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
4.0
I haven’t been so fully engrossed in a book that I sat down and read it in one sitting in so long. I’ve seen this mostly billed as a critique of the publishing industry, but the way it handles white feminism, passive white liberalism, and internet culture as a whole is something to behold. It’s almost scary how well Kuang writes from the perspective of a disgruntled white woman. There were times where the text wanted me to sympathize with her even though I fully agreed with the critiques and accusations leveled against her and I was left feeling split.
There were a few times that I felt Kuang just kind of… brushed over certain elements/tropes herself that could have been explored more. The last act of the book, until the ending, definitely stalled a little, which is something I’ve noticed in most of Kuang’s works. Her endings tend to struggle a little before she sticks the landing.
I think this book will have the most impact and have the largest audience among the people familiar with the book world and understand how internet culture shifts and twists. Not to say others won’t be as equally entertained, but a deeper understanding of the elements discussed here will only make you appreciate the book more.
There were a few times that I felt Kuang just kind of… brushed over certain elements/tropes herself that could have been explored more. The last act of the book, until the ending, definitely stalled a little, which is something I’ve noticed in most of Kuang’s works. Her endings tend to struggle a little before she sticks the landing.
I think this book will have the most impact and have the largest audience among the people familiar with the book world and understand how internet culture shifts and twists. Not to say others won’t be as equally entertained, but a deeper understanding of the elements discussed here will only make you appreciate the book more.