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A review by katherineshawwrites
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I pre-ordered Yellowface as soon as I knew it was a thing, and I can't believe it's taken me this long to finally read it!
R F Kuang's writing is intelligent, engaging and compelling, and I found myself whizzing through this book much quicker than I expected. The main character, June, is incredibly unlikeable - but that's clearly the point! You're supposed to dislike her jealousy, her pettiness, her casual racism and privileged bad takes, and her complete denial she has done anything wrong. Somehow, though, R F Kuang's writing gets you hooked, and you can't help but devour page after page as everything goes right and then very, very wrong for June.
I see some people take issue with this book, and that's to be expected, and kind of the point. R F Kuang is provoking us and forcing us to consider our own biases and privilege, our own jealousy and nastiness, our own reaction to discourse, rumours and scandals, and that's bound to feel uncomfortable in places for people. It makes for an interesting an unexpectedly addictive read.
My biggest critique is that the pacing is off. The book starts relatively fast-paced, slows right down and then jumps to a bit of a silly climax right at the end. After such a solid 75% or so, the sudden escalation and weirdly tropey and kind of stupid standoff was a bit jarring for me. It didn't ruin the book, but definitely prevented it from hitting that 5 stars.
Still, a solid read that I recommend giving a shot.
R F Kuang's writing is intelligent, engaging and compelling, and I found myself whizzing through this book much quicker than I expected. The main character, June, is incredibly unlikeable - but that's clearly the point! You're supposed to dislike her jealousy, her pettiness, her casual racism and privileged bad takes, and her complete denial she has done anything wrong. Somehow, though, R F Kuang's writing gets you hooked, and you can't help but devour page after page as everything goes right and then very, very wrong for June.
I see some people take issue with this book, and that's to be expected, and kind of the point. R F Kuang is provoking us and forcing us to consider our own biases and privilege, our own jealousy and nastiness, our own reaction to discourse, rumours and scandals, and that's bound to feel uncomfortable in places for people. It makes for an interesting an unexpectedly addictive read.
My biggest critique is that the pacing is off. The book starts relatively fast-paced, slows right down and then jumps to a bit of a silly climax right at the end. After such a solid 75% or so, the sudden escalation and weirdly tropey and kind of stupid standoff was a bit jarring for me. It didn't ruin the book, but definitely prevented it from hitting that 5 stars.
Still, a solid read that I recommend giving a shot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, Rape, Toxic friendship
Minor: Suicide