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A review by emfass
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A scorching takedown of racism in publishing (and in general), privileges of white womanhood, the toxicity of social media, plus a bit about the echo chamber of marketing and reviews in the book world.
We are trapped in June's head for first-person present-tense narration the whole way through, and sometimes it's hard to breathe in there. She is a decidedly unlikable character, and hearing her inner thoughts as the majority of the storytelling we get was both fascinating and horrifying, but it was hard to look away. I kept wondering how this white woman was going to get her comeuppance after stealing her recently-dead Chinese-American friend's story about Chinese laborers in World War I and passing it off as her own. She twists herself into the knots justifying her actions, and only doubles down harder whenever someone gets close to the truth.
Kuang uses June-as-narrator to deftly point to injustices in the publishing industry and everyday racism of white people/white women who think they are owed something and feel indignant at the rise of BIPOC voices being given space to tell their own stories. There are also examinations of cancel culture and different forms that revenge can take.
I was rather bothered at how alone June was throughout the story. She has no friends, she has family members she briefly visits with on page but I didn't think it was clear why she didn't have a deeper relationship with her sister, at least. It makes it easier to understand her actions when she has literally no one to talk to, but...it also seemed like rather extreme circumstances.
Helen Laser did a truly fantastic job as the audiobook narrator.
We are trapped in June's head for first-person present-tense narration the whole way through, and sometimes it's hard to breathe in there. She is a decidedly unlikable character, and hearing her inner thoughts as the majority of the storytelling we get was both fascinating and horrifying, but it was hard to look away. I kept wondering how this white woman was going to get her comeuppance after stealing her recently-dead Chinese-American friend's story about Chinese laborers in World War I and passing it off as her own. She twists herself into the knots justifying her actions, and only doubles down harder whenever someone gets close to the truth.
Kuang uses June-as-narrator to deftly point to injustices in the publishing industry and everyday racism of white people/white women who think they are owed something and feel indignant at the rise of BIPOC voices being given space to tell their own stories. There are also examinations of cancel culture and different forms that revenge can take.
I was rather bothered at how alone June was throughout the story. She has no friends, she has family members she briefly visits with on page but I didn't think it was clear why she didn't have a deeper relationship with her sister, at least. It makes it easier to understand her actions when she has literally no one to talk to, but...it also seemed like rather extreme circumstances.
Helen Laser did a truly fantastic job as the audiobook narrator.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Cultural appropriation, Death, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Toxic relationship