Yellowface by Rebecca F. Kuang | Book Review
There are three things I look for when I pick up a new book to read. First, is a gripping storyline. In other words, it is a story that begs to be read and one that draws me in like a magnet. Easy to pick up and incredibly difficult to put down. Secondly, compelling, well-developed characters. The kind of characters that keep my interest, who I wouldn’t mind embarking on a long journey with. They don’t have to be extraordinary or wildly original, and yet, they raise an unquenchable curiousity within me – I just have to know everything about them.
Lastly, a story is only as interesting as how well it’s told. This means the writing style and dialogue have to be coherent, well-paced and contextualised within the storyline. Essentially, it must be the opposite of confusing or plain boring.
When I opened up the first page of Yellowface by Rebecca F. Kuang, I could only hope to find those three ingredients that make a book special.
As I always do with my book reviews, I went into the book blind – knowing absolutely nothing about the plot. Plus, I had never read anything by Rebecca F. Kuang before, so it was a clean slate by definition.
What is Yellowface about? Is the book worth your time? Why is Yellowface so popular? How would I rate Yellowface?
Dive into my honest review of Yellowface!
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Looking at her was like looking at the sun. She was so brilliant that it hurt to stare for too long.
YELLOWFACE BY REBECCA F. KUANG
Yellowface: Book Summary.
Despite walking the same path for years, the lives of Athena Liu and June Hayward couldn’t be more different. Athena has it all, beauty, talent, and attention, and with three bestselling novels, literary stardom. While Athena’s world is one of sunshine and rainbows, June’s world is stripped of all colour – a hopeless grey. Unlike Athena, June’s debut novel failed to impress and didn’t even get released in paperback. To June the life Athena leads is a constant mirror depicting the things missing in her life – a reminder of everything she lacks.
On the night that the two are celebrating yet another highlight for Athena – a deal with Netflix – Athena chokes to death in her apartment in a freak accident.
It’s a blur after that. The hardwood floors. The paramedics. The ride back home the next morning. June returns home with a sea of emotions and Athena’s secret new manuscript in her bag.
The stolen manuscript is a novel about Chinese labourers in World War I and June Hayward is now in possession of the one and only copy. A masterpiece is what June calls it as she decides to make it her masterpiece. What will June Hayward do for her chance in the limelight? Will she get caught?
To Read Or Not To Read?
What more can we want as writers than such immortality? Don’t ghosts just want to be remembered?
YELLOWFACE BY REBECCA F. KUANG
If you ever wonder what it’s like being in the head of a lying jealous master manipulator… wonder no more. Yellowface is narrated in first person and the story is told through June Hayward’s words and lens.
As a character that’s very difficult to root for, June’s narration is also the very reason I couldn’t put the book down. It’s not every day that you get a character so unlikeable, and reading Yellowface, it’s clear Rebecca F Kuang wasn’t trying to craft one we’d all be dying to imitate.
While I am no fan of June Hayward, I have to admit it was incredibly fascinating to witness the twists and turns in her mind. It was full of bumps and rationalised flaws, but I couldn’t help but stay sat for the ride. I certainly loved every second of it.
Desperate, calculative and brazen. That’s what makes the book so much fun to flip through. How far will she go to get what she wants? Will anyone find out? Can anyone stop her? These are questions you’ll have to read the book to know…
If you ask me, all the characters in the book were self-serving in one way or another. In that sense, June didn’t seem out of place at all.
Aside from plagiarism, Yellowface focuses on other topics too. The book poses interesting questions about the process of creative storytelling and the exploitation of race. Who is allowed to tell what stories? Does cancel culture work?
Yellowface by Rebecca F. Kuang is funny, gripping and thought-provoking. It’s the type of book I got excited to grab and the kind I’m sure won’t fade from memory anytime soon.
Your restless romantic roamer
Rachy’s Rating:
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It sounds really great, thanks for a great review. Adding it to my MASSIVE TBR list.
Yellowface was on my TBR for some time too but I’m so happy i finally got to it. Hopefully my review makes you want to pick it up much sooner! x
I heard many good things about this book, maybe one day I will pick it up! great review x
ereen | https://www.everydayereen.com
Thank you! It was definitely worth the hype for me! I highly recommend xx