Yellowface

R. F. Kuang’s “Yellowface” is a refreshing new and current take on culture appropriation. We watch a main character go through a psychological devolution from the firecracker of an open line to the last. Our main character sits square in the grey area and makes us question every side of the argument. Juniper is a “Karen” by accident and a deserving target because of her need for approval over her moral convictions.    Juniper’s personal failings and her relationships are the perfect dramatic canvass. R.F. Kuang uses that backdrop to expand upon her social commentary. Kuang uses the plot developments and character arcs to dive deep into analysis on the literary world. Making you wonder how much of her musings were personal. In a way, her critique extends to the readers, the authors, the publishers, and everything between. You cannot help but reflect on how much you are a part of the problems in what makes a book “successful.” The most refreshing part of this book is how Kuang provides a clever take on the cultural zeitgeist. She addresses “Cancel Culture,” social media, and what reputation means in the digital age. No one comes out looking like a hero and the judgement and accusations are at times, worse than the crime. The stripping away of context is what devolves truth and facts. Creating room for performative activists to fill the gaps. I appreciate that Kuang fills in the context over time but leaves us to make our own judgements on all the characters and situations. Her style is easy to read and engaging. Without spoiling it the book's twists and turns also blur the lines of which genre you would place it in. The book reminds me a lot of “Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” and how it explores on the creative process. Kuang writing the perspective of a White woman, who stole work from an Asian woman, echoes the Robert Downey Jr. take on Black Face in "Tropic Thunder." It challenges every thing you think about authenticity and who gets to tell a story about a culture. I recommend "Yellowface" for anyone interested in the behind the scenes of the literary world. You will also get a great critique on the perils of social media. Most important, you will leave with at least new questions on cultural appropriation.

Borderline thought provoking; easy to read and finish; perfect rhythm and plot unravel. More of a beach-read than its promotional focus on racial conflict.

Rebecca does it again !! This book was out of this world. A must read I’m still reeling from it.

😝unrealistic ramblings of a narcissist

This is an interesting read and not at all what I expected. This is one of the first books I have read where I dislike the main character from the beginning. It’s intriguing to see things from the leads twisted and insecure perspective. There are many moments where I truly think that she believes what she is doing is right. She has convinced herself that she doesn’t get what she wants because she’s not a minority. Morals are quickly dismissed in order for June to be successful and famous. She gets everything she wanted, but can she live with what she’s done? I wish there would have been more backstory on June to shed more backstory on why she makes the decisions she does. That is the only reason I don’t rate this book 5 stars.

I wanted to love this book. But the main character was so pathetic and petty that it was a slog just to get through the book. There is a lot about the publishing industry which may have some merit, but the revelations are not worth my time. I was hoping to recommend this to one of my book clubs, but I couldn’t do that to them. Too bad.

Yellowface is a well written piece that keeps you guessing who the real hero and villain actually are.

I enjoyed the book but was disappointed with the ending. Too abrupt.

Lame read

It’s been a drag to get through. It feels like I’m reading the same thing over and over again? It started off clever then gets sillier by the pages. I understand what the author is trying to convey but it just doesn’t land.