A review by frenchvanillapowdercreamer
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was excellent, and I would highly recommend it to anyone. I would particularly recommend it to those with a love of reading, and a tendency towards paranoid insecurity. We would benefit from the self reflection.

I finished Yellowface in a single sitting, without breaks. It was impossible to put down. Kuang explores themes of fame, craft, cultural appropriation, and jealousy bordering on sexual obsession.

This haunting story evokes Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca in Athena, a recently deceased and very accomplished young author. The main character is her 'friend', who is jealous of Athena's accomplishments, and insecure about her own work. Kuang successfully makes the reader feel the loss of Athena in every page, even when the main character despises her, and violates her memory. I found myself wishing for her insight into her own butchered work, and an inside look into what sustained the friendship from her side.

On the ending:

Spoiler-free version: Privilege and entitlement in publishing was well explored in a satisfying conclusion.

 
The ending was masterfully done. It serves as a timely commentary on cries of cancel culture to note that, even though Junie may have been 'cancelled' on twitter, her career is not greatly damaged. As a white woman, sympathy will always lean towards her. She has wealth, and she will recover. Her books kept selling, and the total comeuppance that the reader craves is not forthcoming.
 
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