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Yellowface
Yellowface | R F Kuang
221 posts | 175 read | 7 reading | 94 to read
What's the harm in a pseudonym? New York Times bestselling sensation Juniper Song is not who she says she is, she didn't write the book she claims she wrote, and she is most certainly not Asian American--in this chilling and hilariously cutting novel from R. F. Kuang in the vein of White Ivy and The Other Black Girl. Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars: same year at Yale, same debut year in publishing. But Athena's a cross-genre literary darling, and June didn't even get a paperback release. Nobody wants stories about basic white girls, June thinks. So when June witnesses Athena's death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse: she steals Athena's just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese laborers to the British and French war efforts during World War I. So what if June edits Athena's novel and sends it to her agent as her own work? So what if she lets her new publisher rebrand her as Juniper Song--complete with an ambiguously ethnic author photo? Doesn't this piece of history deserve to be told, whoever the teller? That's what June claims, and the New York Times bestseller list seems to agree. But June can't get away from Athena's shadow, and emerging evidence threatens to bring June's (stolen) success down around her. As June races to protect her secret, she discovers exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves. With its totally immersive first-person voice, Yellowface takes on questions of diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation not only in the publishing industry but the persistent erasure of Asian-American voices and history by Western white society. R. F. Kuang's novel is timely, razor-sharp, and eminently readable.
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review
Karons1
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Mehso-so

Finished the most hyped book 📖 of the summer (which seems to be a marmite read )whilst having my shrek like feet pampered before our Greek hols ; I‘m so glad I didn‘t take this one away with me as it‘s a so so kind of read for me . I found June highly irritating 😠 I‘m guessing that‘s the whole point , however it is a great idea for a novel and the poppy wars and babel are on my TBR.

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rachelk
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

This satirical thriller moves at a fast pace as Kuang explores themes of race, jealousy, social media, loneliness and greed as well as providing an unflattering look into the publishing world. There are no likable characters here — but I found it entertaining and thought provoking.

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ItsAnotherJen
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Mehso-so

Reading this was icky and frustrating. I enjoy liking the main character in the books I read. June was not a likeable character. Noone was a likeable character. I feel like deleting all my socials. That is what this book did for me. Highlighting the power of social media and the disturbing yuckiness in the publishing industry. Racism and plagiarism. Ego and internet trolls. 😖😦 ⭐⭐⭐

rachelk Oh no! I just started this. At least it was a “lucky day” at the library and I didn‘t buy it. (edited) 5d
ItsAnotherJen @rachelk Maybe you'll like it? There are a lot of people who rated it high. I might not of been in the right mood for it. 5d
TieDyeDude It certainly is a read that challenges you. I did find the characters frustrating and difficult, but I can't say I hated them. 3d
ItsAnotherJen @TieDyeDude I didn't hate them either. Just not exactly likeable. 2d
89 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Jolynne
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

This story talks about appropriation, racism both subtle and bold, greed, and privilege set in and around the world of publishing. Social media is a beast in this book.

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Karons1
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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On the train 🚂 into London to visit an exhibition at Buckingham Palace on Georgian dress 👗very Bridgerton . However current read is the much hyped yellowface , 3 chapters in and it‘s so far a so so read for me. Sometimes we need fluffiness I like to think the publishing industry is one still unaffected by modern greed but sadly not , I like the version in my own head .

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OutsmartYourShelf
Yellowface | Rebecca F. Kuang
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Pickpick

Junie Hayward is sort-of friends with Athena Liu: they met at university & both wanted to be writers, but whilst Athena's career is on an upward trajectory, Junie has struggled. Junie finds herself at Athena's flat after drinks one evening, where there is a terrible accident & Athena is suddenly dead. Junie called for an ambulance but there is nothing they can do, but when Junie leaves Athena's flat she takes Athena's latest manuscript. (cont'd)

OutsmartYourShelf It's only half-finished, but the work about the little-known contributions of Chinese laborers to the British & French during WWI has so much potential & due to Athena's habit of secrecy about her work, no-one else knows about it. Junie decides to finish the work initially in memory of Athena but she sends it off to her agent who pitches it to several publishers & suddenly there is a bidding war. 1w
OutsmartYourShelf Junie now stands at the threshold of everything she ever wanted, so does it matter that her new publisher wants to release it as written by Juniper Song (Junie's first & middle names)? Does it matter who tells the story as long as it is told?

Wasn't sure about this one but ended up rather liking it. It feels like a light read at the time but there's a lot going on beneath the surface.
1w
OutsmartYourShelf The whole issue of 'own voices' & who gets to control the narrative & tell the stories, & how far does it go? There was a point in the book when even Athena Liu was being attacked online for 'stealing' the history of others - writing a narrative that she herself had not experienced. It also covers tokenism, racism, & micro-aggressions. The main character is blithely unconcerned with much of it. Time after time, the reader wonders if Junie is about 1w
See All 6 Comments
OutsmartYourShelf to develop the slightest hint of self-awareness - sadly no. This is the first book I've read from this author but I have Babel in my TBR list & based on this book, I'm going to be moving it up on my list of priorities. 4🌟

Full Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5511845760
Read: 8th-10th Sept 2023

#SummerEndReadathon @TheSpineView
1w
nanuska_153 I keep bumping into this book lately, going to have to give it a try! 1w
TheSpineView Fantastic! 1w
39 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Onioons
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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"The night I watch Athena Liu die, we're celebrating her TV deal with Netflix". #firstlinefridays @ShyBookOwl

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Caroline2
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Here‘s my #top10summer2023reads. I‘ve had a lot of bails but some really good books too. 👍

youneverarrived Plainsong is one of my favourite books. A few here on my tbr 👍 2w
Amiable @youneverarrived Agreed—“Plainsong” is wonderful 2w
sarahbarnes I reread Secret History this summer - so good! 2w
See All 7 Comments
Cinfhen Loved some of these as well 😁 2w
steph_phanie I love Plainsong! ❤️ 2w
squirrelbrain I‘m glad Mary Jane made your list! ❤️ 2w
quietlycuriouskate Plainsong ❤️ 2w
74 likes7 comments
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Gissy
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Late post but this tag was not easy for me, trying to look for an English song that could match with the book. Then the books I was reading were not so good at that time😳
But during Yellowface, June was almost “paranoid” of who was writing what in social media, of course to later justify herself. But I thought in this song:

Somebody‘s Watching Me by Rockwell

Thank you @Eggs sorry for the tardiness 😳

Eggs No worries - this was actually from @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 2w
26 likes1 comment
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dabbe
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Bookish_Gal Yes please. Loved Babel 2w
AllDebooks This was sooooooo good 2w
dabbe @AllDebooks It was, wasn‘t it? 🤩 2w
53 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Gissy
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

Another August review 😲
I liked it but not as much as I expected or as much as many readers. You know by now what this book is about. So interesting to see how awful and terrible the media can be and how dark a person can be transformed to gain attention and to be “famous”...at all cost. All characters are unlikable but I think those aspects can be worst in the real world. All those part were interesting to me. But⬇️

Gissy (Cont.) But half of the book was repetitive of what June would do or would not, always in constant justification of her decisions🤦🏽‍♀️I know, is a defense mechanism but is was too much. So for me this was okay 3.5⭐️But I love my beautiful edition😍
August #BookSpinBingo #BookSpin (#10) @TheAromaOfBooks
#CampLitsy23 July @megabooks @squirrelbrain @barbarabb
#GR GoodReads AroundTheYear prompt #51
#RushAThon @DieAReader @Andrew65 @GHABI4ROSES
2w
BarbaraBB I see what you mean. Thinking back of it it made less of a lasting impact than when I had just finished it and thought it would. 2w
Andrew65 Brilliant 👏👏👏 2w
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squirrelbrain Great review! 2w
Gissy @squirrelbrain Thank you🤗 2w
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 2w
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2w
52 likes7 comments
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vlwelser
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

This author is a bit of a unicorn. This book really makes you think. And the audio is fantastic.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2w
55 likes1 comment
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Erynecki
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

So clever. A book about writers, the publishing industry, jealousy, and secrets. A story within a story about a book, the literary world, and cultural appropriation. Total page turner.

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suvata
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Monthly Reading Report
Read in August 2023 ...
17 Books
#Goodreads #Bookstagram #MMDBookClub #OUABC #Litsy #Libby

33 likes1 stack add
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paisleyjess
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Mehso-so

I need a book club to talk to about this book. I can't figure out how I am supposed to feel about the main character.

JamieArc I think that‘s one of the great things about this character! It seems like we are supposed to find her despicable, but it‘s not that simple… 3w
batsy This book tried to have it all ways, I think. The main character was both so stereotypically racist and yet self-aware about racism; something about it didn't sit right with me. 3w
12 likes2 comments
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Coueriamb
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

A light pick- if only because it was batshit but could have been so much MORE batshit.

I wanted more publishing world tea, more barely disguised contempt for people the author has met, more horrible people to make the MC look good for a split second and make you go HEY WAIT.

I liked it, it was funny, the ending was wild, but I wish it went full tilt batshit

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Sarahreadstoomuch
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

Oh, this was marvelous. I absolutely hated the main character and her arrogant cluelessness made me laugh out loud at points! At its heart, though, is the very serious topics of racism, privilege, white savior mentality and how that plays out in publishing. The audio narrator was fantastic!

31 likes1 stack add
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arlenefinnigan
Yellowface | Rebecca F. Kuang
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Next up

21 likes1 stack add
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suvata
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

Asian diaspora best-selling author, Athena Liu‘s death becomes the scandal of the year for the publishing industry. It is rumored that Liu‘s “not so well-known” friend, Juniper Song (aka June Hayward) has passed off her latest book as her own. Fireworks 💥 explode in R.F. Kuang‘s masterfully-crafted new suspense novel. That‘s two 5-Star reads in a row for Kuang from me. It appears I have a new must-read author to add to my list.

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MrsMalaprop
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

What a twisted, thought provoking little book.

So much has already been said and I‘m not sure I have anything new to add to the conversation.

I felt propelled through this book and I just could not stop. I like that it made me think more deeply about cultural appropriation. Really glad I picked this one up.

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rachaich
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

Binge read over two days as it was a shock fest roller coaster crashing story!
Really strange how I sympathised with June whilst detesting what she'd done. And desperately wanted her to stop scrolling!
Think I'll look for some of her others...

MrsMalaprop I‘m halfway through this. Home with a cold again today, so reckon I‘ll finish it 👍 1mo
29 likes1 comment
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BeckyWithTheGoodBooks
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

This biting satire about a white woman that usurps her Asian friend‘s identity to become a best selling author is a scathing look at the publishing world and its systemic racism. Kuang‘s novel may be over the top, but she highlights very real issues/topics. The uncomfortable feeling you had reading this? That isn‘t just a reaction to the wholly unlikable June. It‘s the sinister characterization of white privilege that we know is all too real. 4⭐️

Christine Well said! 1mo
33 likes1 comment
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rachaich
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Oh my, this just arrived through Libby (after a 9 week wait!)
Very excited to read.

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amyrohn
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

As a publishing girlie, books about the industry are like catnip for me. Was it a little on the nose at times? Yes. But have I also either witnessed or heard from coworkers about a lot of similar instances that happen in this book? Also yes. Overall I was thoroughly entertained and am eager to read more R. F. Kuang since this was my first from her. 4/5⭐️

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amyrohn
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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It‘s time

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Morton7
Yellowface | R F Kuang
Pickpick

2🌟🌟

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Readerann
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

I read most of this in one day - couldn‘t put it down. There were a few things that bothered me but after this and Babel, I‘m adding everything Kuang has written to my TBR.

currentlyreadinginCO Completely agree with all of this! I binged this & Kuang has me forever now, but yeah, I had some questions 🤣 2mo
Readerann @currentlyreadinginCO Yeah, not sure how much I would have liked this if it had been written by anyone else! 2mo
25 likes2 comments
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CatMS
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Getting ready to begin, so excited.

I must be the only reader that baled in this book, didn't finish before it was due back to the library. Not interested in renewing so will take off reading list. 😑

13 likes1 stack add
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TieDyeDude
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

What a wild ride! I feel for the editor and publisher who has to edit and promote a book critiquing the editing and publishing world. There was so much going on in the last couple chapters!

Alfoster Seriously! Was so informative too!😬 2mo
SamAnne Hah! Good point. There be dragons. 2mo
Allylu Looking forward to reading it this month. 2mo
Suet624 still trying to get this one from the library! Can't wait to read it. 2mo
Twainy I was denied this ARC 😫 had to wait for the library book … I loved it. Pancakes! LOL 1mo
53 likes5 comments
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Evita
Yellowface | R F Kuang
Pickpick

3.75 out of 5

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Megabooks
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Sorry I‘m a bit late in posting this, but Yellowface is our July winner!! It will go on to face Bandit Queens and August‘s winner for Best of Camp! #CampLitsy23

Thank you to everyone who participated, read, lurked…all of it! There wouldn‘t be a camp without you. And I do appreciate the thank yous! 🥰🥰 And thank you to my co-counselors who made beautiful graphics and pushed my questions to the next level. 😘🏕️

See All 19 Comments
GatheringBooks Thank you for the update! Appreciate it! 😘💕 2mo
BarbaraBB Oh wow! I really thought for a while that HBB would win! But I am glad with this outcome too! July was great, thanks you for hosting in your erudite and thoughtful way 🩵 2mo
Ruthiella Great match up! Can‘t wait to see which deserving book wins. 😃 2mo
Soubhiville There couldn‘t be a bad choice between these two. 🙂 Thanks! 2mo
Bookwormjillk @Soubhiville I agree- they were both great books 2mo
AmyG Thank ALL of you for organizing this. Out fearless camp counselors 🙌🏻 2mo
CBee Considering this is the only one I read, I‘m glad it won 😂😂 2mo
Cinfhen Another awesome month of camp!! Ready for the next session 😄 2mo
TrishB Thanks Meg 👍🏻 2mo
batsy Thank you! 2mo
julieclair Thanks for a great month of reading and discussion! 2mo
Readerann Lurker here thanking you as well. 👀😁 2mo
101 likes19 comments
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mcctrish
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

Once again I bought a book cuz I saw it everywhere but had no idea what it was about 🤣 I really enjoyed this. Oh I wanted to tell June/Junie/Juniper to just put her phone down but who am I to talk about that?! I think this would be an interesting book club book; the moral issues, social media addictions, loneliness, the importance of therapy

ShelleyBooksie I've seen this book all over the place, however it's your blurb that makes me want to read it!! 2mo
mcctrish @ShelleyBooksie honestly I think I‘ve seen more pans than likes lately so of course I grabbed it off the towering TBR stack as soon as I got home from holidays 😆 I don‘t understand the pans. I get that the main character(s) make some morally challenging choices but I think the book discusses them well. The ending does seem speedy, compared to some parts and not unexpected-ish but it‘s an enjoyable read that raises some good questions/observaruons 2mo
55 likes1 stack add2 comments
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AmyG
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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1. Yellowface
2. While I needed to read it for Camp Litsy, I would have read it anyway. Kuang has become a new favorite author.

***Everyone welcome to play!!!

@TheSpineView #Two4Tuesday

TheSpineView I heard a lot of good things about this book. Thanks for playing! 2mo
45 likes1 comment
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jenniferw88
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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review
Breanne1
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

This was a descent in to madness as well as an expose of publishing practices. I didn‘t expect this to read as a thriller and yet it was. I did find it interesting that the premise interrogates who has the right to tell stories all while Kuang is writing as a white female. An unexpected pick for me!
PS: sprayed edge done by my amazing husband!

JenReadsAlot Omg that's amazing! 2mo
AmyG Wow! 2mo
batsy So impressive! 2mo
mcctrish Your husband is awesome 👏🏻 2mo
24 likes4 comments
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Rissreads
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

💛💛💛💛Two very unlikeable main characters but I liked the book. A book about cultural appropriation cleverly written by an Asian author writing about a white woman. I learnt lots about publishing and what goes on behind the scenes, most of it questionable and not good. This book highlights how addictive and toxic social media can be and the devastating effect it can have on one‘s mental health. I was dissatisfied with the climax of the story, ⬇️

Rissreads I felt it was far fetched and silly. (edited) 2mo
CarolynM Nice review. The ending was a little silly, wasn‘t it? Lots to think about in the rest of the book, though. 2mo
Rissreads How are you doing Carolyn? Getting everything with your parents sorted out? X @CarolynM 2mo
CarolynM Getting there🥴💕 2mo
42 likes4 comments
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mcctrish
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Back to reading in my tub

61 likes1 stack add
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mjdowens
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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#RushAThon - I have got to start finishing things and reading ones I have been excited for

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Pearrr
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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July 2023 Wrap Up
- Yellowface ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Rosewater ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- And Then I Woke Up ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Lone Women ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Love And Other Flight Delays ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- The Perfect Marriage ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- She Started It ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Michellesibs
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

Since the blow up around American Dirt there's been so many conversations around who can and should tell whose stories. Here in Yellowface we delve right into it while getting a behind the scenes look at the publishing industry.

From the draft novel, to the editors, the sensitivity readers. The release date, the Goodreads reviews, the twitter trolls.

I'm on the hype train for this book, it's very meta and feels like a exposè.

lynneamch Yes. And so much to discuss, additionally an Asian author writing as a white MC. 2mo
Michellesibs @lynneamch I can see why so many bookclubs are picking this one up. You could discuss it for days. 2mo
64 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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AmyG
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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review
booksaremyfavorite
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

Though this wasn‘t my favorite book, it kept me reading through. It was ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 for me.

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TheBee
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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The Last Front was supposed to be a onetime collaboration. Athena's research and brainstorming, my prose and polish. I felt a wonderful, mysterious alchemy during those fevered weeks, when I conjured her writing voice from beyond the grave and harmonized my own against it. I wasn't dependent on her I've never needed her to write but the joint exercise gave me confidence at a time when I had none. #lieswetellourselves 😅 #theaudacity #plagiarism

36 likes2 stack adds
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Kristy_K
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

This was such a powerful hitting book filled with uncomfortable situations and unlikeable characters which made it unputdownable. The only thing that kept this from being a 5-star read was the ending.

One day I will read and finish a #camplitsy23 book while we‘re actually discussing!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Reggie I went to a bookclub where I was shocked to find out like 90% wanted her to die. Lol. 2mo
Kristy_K @Reggie Wow! That‘s a little extreme. I didn‘t like her but also didn‘t wish death on her lol. 2mo
83 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Ruthiella
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

Another low pick from me for a Kuang novel. I can‘t put my finger on it, but there‘s something about her style that doesn‘t quite work for me. It happens, eh? We all know what this is about now, cultural appropriation, intentional mismarketing, racism in publishing industry, etc with no sympathetic characters. A satire exposing the underside of publishing and social media. Still, a successful book in all the questions it raises. #CampLitsy23

Lesliereadsalot Totally agree! Hard to see what all the hype was about, right? 2mo
Ruthiella @Lesliereadsalot I think she‘s just not for me. On the plus side, I don‘t need to read The Poppy War trilogy now. 😂 2mo
Tamra I tried & bailed. I thought maybe it was the hype? 🤷🏾‍♀️ 2mo
See All 10 Comments
Ruthiella @Tamra Maybe🤔 ? June was also an unrelentingly unsympathetic narrator. I didn‘t find her unreliable at all; just straight up unpleasant. 2mo
Vansa Oh,RF Kuang, in my opinion,is NOT a good writer.She's quite lucky to get the hype she does!Her writing has no depth.In this book for instance,why on earth are Athena's eyelashes described so many times?Is she trying to parody white writers describing POCs?There are several POC writers who also write ridiculous descriptions!Funnily enough,she benefits from what Athena Liu does! 2mo
Vansa Also,there are several POC writers who aren't getting this level of hysterical attention because they're not personable young people -Ma Jian, for instance. 2mo
Ruthiella @Vansa What would you recommend from Ma Jian? 2mo
Vansa @Ruthiella China Dream, Red Dust, Beijing Coma 2mo
batsy I have the same feelings re: her writing and lack of depth. Something that was better disguised in Babel (under the world-building and politics) reveals itself more prominently in this one, imo. 2mo
Ruthiella @batsy I definitely liked the magical system in Babel, but the rest of it wasn‘t as clever, I thought. 2mo
89 likes10 comments
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Amiable
Yellowface | Rebecca F. Kuang
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Pickpick

This book made me feel so …icky. 😖 When I was reading it, I couldn‘t put it down. But when I did stop (mostly because I couldn‘t stand to have June‘s voice in my head anymore), I was not ever in a hurry to pick it up again. I think that‘s a textbook example of Facebook‘s “in a complicated relationship” status. 😬😖 A pick because it‘s the type of book that screams for a book club discussion.

Amor4Libros I felt the same way! 2mo
Amiable @Amor4Libros Right? I kind of feel like I need a shower now. 😬 2mo
Amor4Libros @Amiable Yes! I liked the book but there were times I just wanted to throw my Kindle across the room. I had to stop reading for a day or two and then come back to it, mostly because I was very invested in the story! 2mo
73 likes1 stack add3 comments
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E.Bolhafner
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

Enjoyable weekend read. Single unreliable POV. Probably won‘t reread. Noticed beverages

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youneverarrived
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

A really modern book in the things it speaks about - social media, cancel culture etc. - it made me question/think about all those things. Every character was unlikeable and conflicted in one way or another but it was so, so readable; I didn‘t want to stop reading it.

squirrelbrain Great review! 💛 2mo
Knitmaths So agree with your review! I talked about this at my book chat group, said you wouldn‘t like any of the characters but won‘t want to stop reading…. some members need to like their characters! 2mo
youneverarrived @Knitmaths yeah I get that! Unlikeable characters have never bothered me, sometimes they add to/make a book. 2mo
66 likes1 stack add4 comments