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A review by paigerini
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As someone half white and half Thai/Chinese, I found this an interesting book. (Spoilers)
One of the complaints I have seen in other reviews has to deal with the fact that June is unbearable, which she is and is supposed to be. June is horrible for stealing Athena's manuscript and taking ownership of all of her research and hard work and is definitely racist, but I would also hate Athena if I ever met her in real life. She was judgmental and hateful towards other Asian people in her field and stole the stories of others. Even June picked up on the fact that she was disingenuous, despite Athena's enthusiasm. The whole point of this novel is to show that both sides (June and Athena) can be cynical and rotten as well as genius, and I found myself hating and feeling sympathetic for both characters.
Another one of the complaints about this novel is that the whole premise seems extremely melodramatic, yet I believe that this is also the point. June should have stayed in therapy, but the result of not doing so leads to her anxious and self-pitying perception of herself and the world around her. Being in such a tough situation and such a competitive industry as publishing and writing without therapy or medical help would deteriorate even the strongest of people, so it makes sense that June (the narrator) freaks out and constantly makes mountains out of molehills.
I connected to both June and Athena in different ways, but I also do not like both of them. Growing up mixed with my dad being second-generation American (who didn't bother teaching me about the culture at all), I found it hard to interact and find things in common with Asian kids. I didn't know a second language, had the same struggles with parental pressure, and had all AP and honors classes, so I felt like an intruder - too white or too American. However, I found a group of friends of all sorts of people who couldn't care less about what ethnicity I was and just liked my company. I liked how Athena was a brilliant writer who wanted to share untold stories, but she also seemed elitist and almost too proud and too focused on the fact that she was Asian. I liked how June obviously knows what she does is wrong but doesn't stop it due to the pressure to be successful, but she is also definitely racist and constantly makes bad decisions, not utilizing the team she's been working with.
I think that this book is a thought-provoking commentary on the link between diversity and success in the real world, and I think it is definitely worth the read, especially if you want to go into the publishing and writing industry. I didn't like the ending too much, but leaving it open-ended lets the reader infer whether she fades into obscurity or tumbles violently into a fiery pit. Overall: 4/5 stars, reading this as a mixed person was sort of weird but sort of captivating at the same time.
One of the complaints I have seen in other reviews has to deal with the fact that June is unbearable, which she is and is supposed to be. June is horrible for stealing Athena's manuscript and taking ownership of all of her research and hard work and is definitely racist, but I would also hate Athena if I ever met her in real life. She was judgmental and hateful towards other Asian people in her field and stole the stories of others. Even June picked up on the fact that she was disingenuous, despite Athena's enthusiasm. The whole point of this novel is to show that both sides (June and Athena) can be cynical and rotten as well as genius, and I found myself hating and feeling sympathetic for both characters.
Another one of the complaints about this novel is that the whole premise seems extremely melodramatic, yet I believe that this is also the point. June should have stayed in therapy, but the result of not doing so leads to her anxious and self-pitying perception of herself and the world around her. Being in such a tough situation and such a competitive industry as publishing and writing without therapy or medical help would deteriorate even the strongest of people, so it makes sense that June (the narrator) freaks out and constantly makes mountains out of molehills.
I connected to both June and Athena in different ways, but I also do not like both of them. Growing up mixed with my dad being second-generation American (who didn't bother teaching me about the culture at all), I found it hard to interact and find things in common with Asian kids. I didn't know a second language, had the same struggles with parental pressure, and had all AP and honors classes, so I felt like an intruder - too white or too American. However, I found a group of friends of all sorts of people who couldn't care less about what ethnicity I was and just liked my company. I liked how Athena was a brilliant writer who wanted to share untold stories, but she also seemed elitist and almost too proud and too focused on the fact that she was Asian. I liked how June obviously knows what she does is wrong but doesn't stop it due to the pressure to be successful, but she is also definitely racist and constantly makes bad decisions, not utilizing the team she's been working with.
I think that this book is a thought-provoking commentary on the link between diversity and success in the real world, and I think it is definitely worth the read, especially if you want to go into the publishing and writing industry. I didn't like the ending too much, but leaving it open-ended lets the reader infer whether she fades into obscurity or tumbles violently into a fiery pit. Overall: 4/5 stars, reading this as a mixed person was sort of weird but sort of captivating at the same time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Cultural appropriation, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, Grief, and Stalking
Minor: Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit