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A review by the_bookishkat
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
dark
emotional
reflective
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
Rebecca F Kuang has possibly written my favourite book of 2023 without it even being 2023 yet. This book was astounding in its writing and blew me away with the quick-paced, dark tone. The plot itself was brilliant: an insight into the world of publishing and social media at its wittiest.
Kuang's choice to frame the storyline from June's perspective as a white female unreliable narrator makes the nuances of the book deeper and intertwined. The muddied waters, as a reader, of comprehending June's anxiety and yet internally screaming at her inability to understand the microaggressions (and aggressions at points) of how racism overwhelms publishing are what make this story an unputdownable literary work of art. I hated June's character and her constant need to contrast herself to those around her while believing she deserves everything, but that is what makes this book so gripping; my hatred for her made me desperate to know how her story ended and is possibly the first time I've ever wished for a bad ending for a character.
Kuang calls out exactly what needs to change in the publishing industry, while brilliantly leaving the reader to ponder the pros and cons of cancel culture and the spiralling effect that social media holds. Ultimately, this book is a must-read as it perfects the depth and nuance of exhibiting characters that we love to hate.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an early review copy of this book!
Kuang's choice to frame the storyline from June's perspective as a white female unreliable narrator makes the nuances of the book deeper and intertwined. The muddied waters, as a reader, of comprehending June's anxiety and yet internally screaming at her inability to understand the microaggressions (and aggressions at points) of how racism overwhelms publishing are what make this story an unputdownable literary work of art. I hated June's character and her constant need to contrast herself to those around her while believing she deserves everything, but that is what makes this book so gripping; my hatred for her made me desperate to know how her story ended and is possibly the first time I've ever wished for a bad ending for a character.
Kuang calls out exactly what needs to change in the publishing industry, while brilliantly leaving the reader to ponder the pros and cons of cancel culture and the spiralling effect that social media holds. Ultimately, this book is a must-read as it perfects the depth and nuance of exhibiting characters that we love to hate.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an early review copy of this book!