As always, R. F. Kuang’s prose is deliciously exquisite, with sentences that feel like they’re constructed for a higher purpose than *just* a book. I can’t begin to describe how exhilarating it was to read Yellowface, a novel so steeped in truth, disgust and disturbingly meta that I now feel guilt every time I open Twitter and see book related beef.

Junie was a nightmare. The kind of author I hoped I would never come across in my publishing career, but unfortunately I’ve encountered too often (I work in editorial and I am a black woman). She is the kind of white woman I cannot stand - the kind that feels slighted because they’re not a hot commodity despite their glaringly obvious whiteness, the kind that cannot see past themselves. The kind that you can say “hey I did this!” and they’d redirect you to when they also did this, or that, or when they ate a burrito because that’s more important than someone else’s achievements. The kind of liberal whiteness that parades behind vagina hats and #bekind without ever really confronting their privilege or their repressed beliefs. They don’t care. Their world really does revolve around them and their own makeshift dreamland. Selfish without the self awareness to change, learn and grow.

While I had no sympathy for her, Junie’s anxiety was so visceral, so choking. So direct and alarming. I felt it becoming my own, especially at the end, where the manuscript felt like a pressure machine that kept building until it burst. I only took deep, irregular breaths while reading. My head still aches now I’ve finished.

Yellowface is going to make waves. A lot of people aren’t going to like this book - whether they don’t like lit fic and expected something akin to Kuang’s other works, or they simply felt this book hit too close to home. Maybe they see themselves in the mobs of people online, and hate the reflection in the mirror, I don’t know. But I do know I loved it, right to the bitter and messy end.

This is a really intriguing book! It was a really funny and well-written satire. It addresses what it means to be a published author, and a certified bookworm, I love books about books. It also looked at some quite serious issues such as diversity in publishing.

The story was gripping which certainly kept the pages turning, I just had to read on! The main character, by design, was really quite unlikeable but I think that this just added to the story, and at certain points made me wonder if June was ever going to get her comeuppance. There was some kind of unease or uncomfortable vibe at some points in the book, but as with the dislikability of June, it makes perfect sense.

R.F. Kuang is a brilliant writer and i think everyone should read this book. Thank you to NetGalley for the arc.

This isn't my favourite genre, but RF Kuang is a brilliant writer and that continues to be incredibly true here.

Yellowface examines the dynamics of privilege and prejudice that go into storytelling and, more specifically, getting a book published in a way that is devastating, honest, and stays true to her tendency for writing characters that are hate-able in the most delightful way. Juniper Song is, in the most generous of terms, yet another stunning morally grey character by an author who specialises in emphasising moral ambiguity (or just total corruption, let's be honest).

Whatever else this review could say, it's already said better in the book. If you want to know about some of the most serious conflicts, debates, and fundamental problems at the heart of today's publishing industry (or just want to read some really excellent writing) pick up this book as soon as you can.

This was fantastic, a spearing of publishing, of social media, and a really realistic-feeling insight into being "cancelled". I really enjoyed this, how unreliable but how honest too that Junie was, how she talked things through and explained her thoughts – whether you ever would or wouldn't, it is a fascinating insight.

This was a riveting read! June steals her dead friend's manuscript and you read it with a sense of dread as you know this surely will not go well. It's told from June's point of view and she's an unlikeable narrator that you can't decide if you are rooting for but you are certainly invested. Loved the details of the publishing world too. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'Yellowface' by R.F. Kuang.

I am a big fan of R.F. Kuang and I dont hide that so when I recieved this ARC, I sat on my couch crying tears of excitement.

'Yellowface' is what it says on the tin: June steals her bestfriend's story and publishes it as her own. Of course, people realise this through cancel culture and social media but we see what occurs through June's point of view. June is not a likeable main character and that is obvious through Kuang's writing style. The story kept me gripped to my seat making me want to hurry up and read the story faster just to see what will occur.

The final thing I want to mention is the ending. Kuang has always been a master of endings but this one stunned me. This book is a masterpiece from start to finish and I am just in awe.

A hilarious and brutal satire - it's sharp, funny and self-aware. It's often uncomfortable, but never veers away from its subjects. It portrays jealousy, ambition, and the muddiness of the publishing industry and social media in a brilliant way.

Loved this book! It feels thriller-like in quality but was a great novel about what it means to be a recognised author and all that comes with it. I love books about books and felt that Kuang explored the insecurities authors have when it comes to writing and being published really well, as well as tackling issues in publishing around diversity, authenticity, and what success really means. There was a sense of unease and uncertainty throughout the book that kept me on my toes and wondering when it was all going to come crashing down for June. I flitted between rooting for her to do the right thing and get some sense of closure and wondering why on earth she was continuing to build on her lies.

I needed to take some time after finishing this book to really think about what I thought of it because I found myself somewhat conflicted. What I have realised is that the Author did an incredible job making the reader question their response to the main character.

There is so much to discuss within this story, such as the publishing industry and public reaction. I felt quite stressed at times as things developed, which is why I can't say that I enjoyed this book. However, I do think it's worth reading and would recommend, it.

Overall, I liked this book, although some factors did distract from my enjoyment.

I felt the beginning was not as engaging as I’d hoped, and the flow of the story was interrupted by too many explanations of publishing/editorial terminology and processes. I see how they were necessary but the execution was jarring.

Additionally, whilst I understand the political points being made by the book, I felt the author’s voice was too prominent in the way the book read. As the novel was told from the point of view of the antagonist, I think this was a detriment to the potential of the book.

By the end of the novel these things became less noticeable, and I felt the plot and pace really picked up. I really enjoyed the ending and felt it was true to June’s character. Although a few things felt unresolved, the main plot was satisfactorily tied up.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"The truth is fluid. There is always another way to spin the story; another wrench to throw into the narrative".

Kuang produced an extremely unlikeable protagonist who, following her acquaintances untimely death, steals her manuscripts and publishes them under her own name. The only problem? The stories are focused on the Chinese community, and she is white. The solution? Racial ambiguity.

"Who has the right to write about suffering?" - The book explores authors who profit from the traumatic events of other communities and the conflicting public opinion of whether this is okay. Especially, those authors who choose to use the techniques of obscuring their own backgrounds or claiming loose ties to the events they write on. As a Jewish reader, I disagree with the protagonist who feels it falls to the most qualified versus those with lived experience, as I continue to see non-Jewish authors romanticise and profit from tales of Jewish suffering in the Holocaust without contributing in any way to the community or the modern-day struggles faced. Ultimately, anyone can become qualified, but not anyone is directly impacted by what is published and therefore it is important to consider who benefits most from being published.

Kuang also explores the struggles authors of colour face when it comes down to their own creative freedoms, problems with the perception of authors of colour in general and the most overarching theme - the unrealistic expectations of employees involved at every stage of the publishing period. We always need the next thing. You need to be entirely, 100% committed to your employer both inside and outside of work. You are as much a product as what you produce and consequently lose the right to privacy and will be scrutinised by everyone for everything you have ever done. Cancel culture is always around the corner.

There is a great look into many themes here, but most shockingly to me, was an insight into the publishing industry. My awe and admiration for authors has only grown significantly more after reading this.

Thank you to NetGalley for the Arc.

* 4.5 stars.

I really enjoyed this-- darkly funny, extremely meta and scathing observation of the realities of the publishing industry all wrapped into one story. I was very impressed that even with such an unlikeable protagonist, I was engaged the whole time reading and invested in the story. I haven't read any of the author's other books but having heard such good things and loving this book, I will definitely be picking them up soon.

(Many thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for the ARC.)

Yellowface is one of those books that will stick with me for years to come. I was already a huge R F Kuang fan from her fantasy books, but it's quite different seeing her write in this sphere. Yellowface hit differently than most books because of the grey morality found in its characters, which we all know Kuang is great at from the Poppy War series. I spent so much of the book hoping for good things for the main character but then realising she is pretty terrible and she doesn't deserve success. Also, as someone who works in publishing, it's both exciting and cathartic to read about the truly horrible parts of publishing from this POV. Overall, Yellowface is a story that will quite rightly shock many readers, and galvanise them to help make change. Though I prefer Kuang's fantasy writing, Yellowface shows she can try her hand at anything and weave gold from straw.

God, I loved Yellowface.

As someone in publishing, so much of this rings true - the microaggressions, the painfully and painstakingly hidden racism, the seething pools of jealousy, the lure of twitter fame. I really enjoy imperfect protagonists and June goes out and beyond that into someone who is truly awful, but who you're still invested in even as you delight in her downfall. Kuang is incredible at delving into complicated emotions, the horrible sort that squirm away from the bright light she shines on them, but she's also just genuinely funny. The satire here is knife-edge sharp and pitch black, but it's hilarious.

Having said this, I do wonder if Yellowface will appeal as much to people who don't move in the book world. So much of the plot revolves around Goodreads, deckled edges, and publishing details that probably won't mean much if you're not spending your life in that world. If you're willing to immerse yourself in it though, the toxic waters of Kuang's work will swallow you up.

This isn't going to be for everyone, as it's basically Book Twitter Discourse: The Novel, but I really enjoyed it. It's a good discussion of many of the issues in publishing today, but has enough thriller/mystery bones to stay interesting beyond that. Still, I can see it being a divisive read and not one if you're sick of books about books. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

Yellowface by Rebecca F Kuang 💛

I was delighted to receive this ARC from Netgalley and HarperCollinsUK 📚

Yellowface centred around Junie, a young writer who is struggling after her first novel flopped. Junie’s much more successful friend Athena dies (not a spoiler, it happens on the first page) and Junie sees an opportunity to take what is not hers.

I enjoyed the insights into the writing and publishing industries throughout the book. Yellowface addresses racism in publishing, and in the media.

The book had a good flow up until the last third, when the plot descended into absolute chaos. I didn’t really know where this was going. I found the ghost stories disturbing and didn’t feel that they were in keeping with the tone of the book.

Junie was so unlikeable that I didn’t really care if things worked out for her. She reminded me a little of Grace from How to Kill Your Family, except I had to admire Grace for being smart. Junie was neither smart nor likeable. She made appalling decision after appalling decision. In fact, I think this whole book could have been avoided if Junie had sought therapy after Athena’s death😬

All that being said, I still found the book quite compelling and I read it in a couple of days.

This was a NetGalley arc, with thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! 💛 this book will be published on 25/5/23💛

#bookstagram #books #summerreads #irishbookstagram #booktok #beachreads #yellowface #netgalley #arc #currentread

This was really twisty, compelling and impeccably observed, and I just want other people to read it too so we can talk about it!

Interesting story - almost fully made up of unpleasant characters, apart from Athena's mother. The protagonist, Juniper Song, is a complex character, and the whole story is haunted by her dead friend Athena. The story started strong, went on a meandering journey and picked up again in the 30%. Didn't find any humor in this book, dark or otherwise but it did depressingly highlight the darkness surrounding social media and associated commentaries of keyboard warriors. Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reader copy.

This is my first time reading a book by R. F. Kuang. I kept putting this book for so long but when I finally Started it, I was done in 2 days.

This is a very messy and twisted book which follows a story of a Juniper Hayward who steals her best friend Athena's upcoming book's manuscript when the latter dies and there are numerous consequences.
Juniper Song Hayward is a ‘novelist,’ serial plagiarizer, and flaming racist. I hated her so much yet I was rooting for her!?
This book gives some very harsh truths of the publishing industry and social media.
I found the ending a bit underwhelming because I was expecting much more after the climax like that.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for giving eARC of this book in exchange of honest review.

This book spun me out - in a good way.
It’s so meta and messy and magnificent.
I was utterly drawn to the protagonist and it’s a testament of the author that I found myself rooting for this thief and plagiariser as one lie spirals into another and another.
I loved reading from her POV as she navigates the world of publishing and Twitter and goodreads etc.
What a great book - unlike anything I’ve read.

Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest review