A review by gustgustgust
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

challenging funny informative mysterious tense fast-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

3.5

It's not my favourite of Kuang's work, but it feels like it was a necessary book to write. I can't stop thinking about it and it's repercussions, and I feel like we were given a little glimpse behind the curtain of publishing. I'm happy to have finally gotten it from my library (it was on hold for like 35 weeks or something to that degree), I devoured it in a day and sent it back. 

The problem is that I found myself wanted each character to just do something different. I know the narrator was flawed and I just wanted to scream at her! But that's not how a book works. If there was a Greek chorus of some kind, this would make a fantastic tragedy.

I didn't have the same reaction that other people I've seen online have had, in either direction, and I am still drawn more to Kuang's fantastical work, but nevertheless it's a solid book and I loved reading it.