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A review by songmingi
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
funny
informative
fast-paced
4.5
Star player RF Kuang does it again! Yellowface is a fast-paced satire that will have seething with hatred for the main character June Hayward or Juniper Song as she would rather be known.
There are so many interesting discussions in this book, other than the obvious look into what it means to be a writer of colour in the publishing industry or well what it means to emulate a writer of colour, I also found the insight into how the publishing industry as a whole works fascinating. Similarly, I think the exploration of how the book community operates online from an author's perspective was also really engaging to read. These topics made the book feel relevant and fresh in the current booksphere. It will be interesting to see how it will hold up over time.
The writing was fast-paced and witty, like with all previous Kuang books I found myself completely engrossed in this novel. While it is so different to her previous works, it still has that same literary magic. I think you are Chinese or like me have a knowledge of Chinese culture and history the book is even more enjoyable to read.
The character writing however is what makes this book shine, June while deplorable is a complex person, while there were so many moments where I had to put the book down to reflect on her sheer audacity she is as real humans are multi-faceted. In the same vein, Athena is no angel either. This made the book more engaging it kept the reader thinking, is it okay to feel some sympathy for June? Is it okay for us to think negatively of Athena despite what is happening to her life's work? Considering this is satire though other side characters such as Geoff or Candice can feel a bit cartoonish but not to the point where it breaks the overall atmosphere of this book. One interesting aspect which I think could have been better developed in Yellowface was the issue of class, I think is an important concept to examine when talking about privilege as a whole, I think if it was further explored it would have pushed this book to a five-star read. Similarly, there were elements of this book which I wish were further explored, nonetheless, it was still a satisfying read, it's just as an avid RF Kuang reader I have high expectations of her.
Regardless, Yellowface is fun, fast and fascinating, I think it's the perfect book to pull you out of a reading slump if you find yourself stuck in one. It's truly a book for those engaged in writing and reading especially online.
There are so many interesting discussions in this book, other than the obvious look into what it means to be a writer of colour in the publishing industry or well what it means to emulate a writer of colour, I also found the insight into how the publishing industry as a whole works fascinating. Similarly, I think the exploration of how the book community operates online from an author's perspective was also really engaging to read. These topics made the book feel relevant and fresh in the current booksphere. It will be interesting to see how it will hold up over time.
The writing was fast-paced and witty, like with all previous Kuang books I found myself completely engrossed in this novel. While it is so different to her previous works, it still has that same literary magic. I think you are Chinese or like me have a knowledge of Chinese culture and history the book is even more enjoyable to read.
The character writing however is what makes this book shine, June while deplorable is a complex person, while there were so many moments where I had to put the book down to reflect on her sheer audacity she is as real humans are multi-faceted. In the same vein, Athena is no angel either. This made the book more engaging it kept the reader thinking, is it okay to feel some sympathy for June? Is it okay for us to think negatively of Athena despite what is happening to her life's work? Considering this is satire though other side characters such as Geoff or Candice can feel a bit cartoonish but not to the point where it breaks the overall atmosphere of this book. One interesting aspect which I think could have been better developed in Yellowface was the issue of class, I think is an important concept to examine when talking about privilege as a whole, I think if it was further explored it would have pushed this book to a five-star read. Similarly, there were elements of this book which I wish were further explored, nonetheless, it was still a satisfying read, it's just as an avid RF Kuang reader I have high expectations of her.
Regardless, Yellowface is fun, fast and fascinating, I think it's the perfect book to pull you out of a reading slump if you find yourself stuck in one. It's truly a book for those engaged in writing and reading especially online.