Outrageously good! I'm absolutely fascinated by Rebecca Kuang and her ability to write so beautifully in such a range of genres.

This was an uncomfortable read, but so valuable and so enjoyable. Some thoroughly unlikeable characters and satire that skewered society and the publishing industry. It really got me thinking about the power of stories and about who gets to tell stories.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one, as I quite enjoy Rebecca narrative style, but if you are coming from having read Babel or The Poppy Wars, bear in mind this is a completely different genre and style and you won’t find anything along those lines.

Yellowface is a dark and satirical piece of literary thriller, light on the thriller but very heavy in the literary. However, heavy in the sense that the book is centred around the publishing world and the industries and people around it. It is quite contemporary and draws a lot from reality in terms of background. It is a book about book, the publishing industry and the fame and viral phenomenon.

Best thing of it, for me, were the characters. I found an absolute delight reading the rise and its consequences from June´s point of view. True, the main premise is a bit unhinged and even ridiculous, but I do also think that is part of the whole point. How something so inherently ridiculous and at first hand unrealistic can be moulded into true and how far people are willing to go for it.

I found it very entertaining, but alas, it is partially the world I live and work in, so I was interested on it. I can also see how someone who is less interested or intrigued on it may find some parts long or tedious. However, and with that in mind, I think is one that you should give a try!

So glad that this story lived up to the hype- I raced through it. Athena is a literary success, everything she writes is critically acclaimed, she is feted everywhere she goes. Her erstwhile best friend June is happy for her but also chasing the same success so is envious at the same time. When Athena chokes to death on a pancake, June takes her just completed manuscript as her own, She tweaks and edits it enough to make it feel like her own work, but it is a reworking of Athena's efforts too,
The new book (in June's name) is a huge hit and June enjoys the success and recognition that she's been craving. But behind it all, there's the uneasy feeling that June is going to be caught out for what she's done.
Its a great insight into the publishing world, the social media of book reviewers and how quickly people can be built up and knocked back down for anything.

“Is erasing one’s voice as easy as stealing one’s work and rewriting it?” It’s one of the loudest questions echoed throughout Yellowface.

This book paints the capitalistic and racist side of the publishing industry through stark satire.

As someone who immensely devoured the Poppy War trilogy, I was bound to read this book. While the book raises most interesting questions on racism in the publishing industry and one’s identity, I couldn’t help but feel Kuang’s voice interfering with the plot.

Overall, this gets a brownie point for putting out a satire on the publishing industry. I only wished I wasn’t bored in the middle or not feel Kuang’s presence for the good portion of the story.

I really really enjoyed this, up until the very end. I think if you go in expecting a satire and not a thriller (this is more reminiscent of Not Okay than it is of The talented Mr Ripley) you will probably have a better reading experience. I loved the commentary and the insight in the publishing industry, but I thought the thriller-like turn towards the end was unnecessary. I am, however, very rarely satisfied with Kuang's endings, so that's hardly surprising; I always enjoy her worlds and her characters, but I think she has yet to nail her endings - and no, I am not talking about the end of The Poppy War trilogy, an ending I love and adore.

I especially liked June as a main character, a character so deeply immoral, and self-obsessed, and irredemable, and self-destructive; in other words, a perfect unreliable, unlikable narrator. And god, do I love unlikable narrators.

Yellowface is a satirical thriller that explores themes of diversity, racism and cultural appropriation in the publishing industry.

The book is based around two "friends" June Hayward, a struggling white writer and Athena Liu a Chinese-American literary phenomenonl. On a rare night out between the two, Athena dies in a freak accident affording June the opportunity to steal the manuscript to her next novel. The success of the book catapults June to to overnight stardom but questions abound as to who wrote the book and June soon faces the wrath of social media and Athena’s ghost.

The first person narrative through June's eyes is really propulsive, there were times at which I nearly believed her as she twists to truth to suit her story.

The two main characters are completely unlikeable which normally would put me off but the web of lies that gets created by June had me reading it in a couple of days.

Thank you to HarperCollins and Netgalley for this advance copy (and sorry for the late review!).

Yellowface was a romp. Chaotic, satirical, dark: I loved it. I really adored the social commentary in this book, and the pure satire about how June behaves. I was simultaneously cringing and laughing out loud. I'd recommend this one!

Really enjoyed this book. Felt very conflicted with the protagonist, wasn't sure if I wanted her to get caught or get away with it, shows the skills of the author in making the reader feel this way!
Thanks for the opportunity to review!

This book was really well written, I loved the commentary and loved the dislikable characters. I enjoyed the storyline and the thrilling aspects of it too, though it’s more literary than thriller for sure!

A thriller about publishing! who knew! Funny, sharp and a page turner, there were so many moments when I thought - I know exactly what she's talking about! One of those rare books about the trade that everyone in the trade can enjoy too.

Firstly I would like to thank the publisher for an advanced reading copy of this. Although I enjoyed this book I did not love it. Coming off the back of reading some epic fantasy at times it seemed quite slow. As a palette cleanser it was fine. Its a good satire on the publishing world which I found interesting working in a Bookshop. It was just very stop start and didn't grip me enough. There are explosive moments but then the story drops off again so your engagement wains. I will definitely always read anything R.F. Huang writes though as I love her prose but obviously love her fantasy more

In a literary landscape often dominated by the predictable, this novel emerges as a beacon of originality.

Its exploration of both subtle and overt confrontations is nuanced, offering readers a profound emotional journey. The narrative is so engrossing that one can't help but be fully immersed. The eloquence of the prose beckons, drawing readers into the heart of the unfolding drama. The story is a masterful tapestry of contemporary reflections, echoing sentiments and scenarios that resonate with today's society. From casual encounters with prejudice to the overzealous classmate we've all come across, the narrative weaves these elements with finesse. The characters are intricately crafted, presenting a mosaic of moral complexities that challenge conventional archetypes. Kuang's prowess as a storyteller is evident. She seamlessly merges incisive societal commentary with riveting drama, reminiscent of classical literature but with a contemporary edge. This novel promises to leave an indelible mark on its readers, and I eagerly anticipate delving deeper into its layers.

Everyone raves about this book

i tried and got around 15% in and just didn't have the want to carry on.

Its now sat on a pile of books that may get to if i don't have anything else to read

Yellowface is a total page-turner that peels back the curtain on the wild world of publishing, throwing in a mix of timely issues like diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation. June Hayward's journey from being ignored to hitting the bestseller list is like a rollercoaster that you won't want to get off.

R.F. Kuang's Yellowface isn't just a deep dive into the cutthroat publishing scene; it's also a nosedive into the drama-filled world of online happenings. June's rise to fame unfolds against the backdrop of the internet's all-seeing gaze, showing us just how crazy things can get in the literary community.

What really makes Yellowface stand out is Kuang's knack for getting us into the nitty-gritty through an immersive first-person voice. Juniper Song doesn't just tell her story; she pulls us in, making us feel like we're right there with her, grappling with tough choices and moral dilemmas. Do I agree with her decisions? Can I empathize with her?

If you're into the juicy drama of the publishing world and curious about how people navigate the storm of online criticism, Yellowface is a gem you don't want to miss. Kuang weaves a captivating tale while shedding light on the online dynamics, making this book a must-read for anyone fascinated by the crossroads of literature, ambition, and the ever-watchful eyes of the virtual world.

An exposition of life on social media. Woe betide me if I ever have to depend on it for any of my needs.

Kuang's June is a lonely woman and she does not even see it. Her life depends on her visibility on the media and she has tied in her work interictally with that fact so that it does not exist without. She is continually interacting with people she does not see physically, internet ghosts. I'm not going to go into the wormhole of who should write what but one thing I would say, let who ever write whatever, and then let the readers decide themselves.

I did not like June or her choices and as the writing reflected her then the book suffered as a whole. On the physical end the book might have benefitted from a tighter edit after all it is a book about publishing.......

An ARC kindly given by author/publisher via Netgalley.

I really enjoyed Yellowface – some parts were problematic, when you are unsure about the character's choices, but it was a lovely insight into the cut-throat world of publishing and modern culture.

Thank you so much and apologies to the publisher for the eARC of this book which I received many many moons ago.

R.F. Kuang is a self-aware talent. This book is a departure from her previous work in the SFF space, but it doesn't seem to have put her at any kind of disadvantage - she once again sticks the landing. This book is satire, taking on the publishing industry at large, though not without taking a few good-natured jabs at her own success. Yellowface is biting, pacy, and scathing, unwilling to pull its punches. There are only two real criticisms I have of this book:

1. It belabours the point
This book is a touch repetitive and extremely zeitgeisty - it feels very much of this particular moment in time and like it's constantly wink-wink-nudge-nudging at those of us who work in publishing-adjacent industries. I suspect it's shelf-life might be limited by how reliant it is on contemporary talking points for its humour.

2. Kuang writes too quickly
Every time I read an R.F. Kuang novel I get the impression that she is very much a write voluminously now, edit later kind of writer. This isn't really an issue when there's plenty of time between writing and publication, but I get the sense that her publishers are rushing her to publication because she's riding such a wave of success at the moment. I would so rather read something that feels a little tighter than get the next Kuang sooner.

Absolutely loved this book. such an interesting read on race and ignorance in the modern age. would highly recommend this

Athena Liu and June Hayward were close friends throughout their Yale days and their debut novels released at the same time. While Athena went on to literary stardom, June’s book floundered and her writing faded into obscurity. So when Athena dies, June decides to rewrite and publish the recently finished manuscript about the Chinese labourers’ role in World War One that Athena was working on. Why would it matter that the idea wasn’t hers when she was the one who edited it and her publisher and agent are the ones who have rebranded her as the ethnically ambiguous Juniper Song? Athena would have wanted this story told and all she’s doing is honouring her wishes, right? Everyone is reading and talking about Yellowface right now and I can certainly say that it is a very intense and frustrating read. At its core, it is an exposé on diversity or lack of it in publishing and a reflection on our society through a unique, thoroughly unhinged narrative voice. It is highly gripping and very thought-provoking, so you’ll want to set some time aside to get stuck in and absorb its lessons.

As usual, Kuang has smashed it out of the park, and delivered a witty, satirical view on the world of the publishing industry, and what it means to have your voice heard. With a complex protagonist who you love to hate, this book is exactly what you'd expect from the mind of Kuang, and is absolutely brilliant.