pickYellowface by Rebecca F. Kuang. Rated 9/10
7 likes
Yellowface | 
pickWow. The main character of this book is not a good person. This is a great book. It does highlight racism and discrimination and I liked that the author did that.
pickAn ugly story about writing, publishing, opportunism, ambition, racism, cancel culture, etc.
Despite the tough topics, I thought this was very well-done.
Bravo!
pickWhat a book. I love a good satire and this one is so well written you sometimes forget it is one.
so-soThis feels like one of those “I support women‘s wrongs.” While I don‘t like how June took her life, the writing of Kuang is so fluid it‘s hard to dislike their story. No, I don‘t like June. She did a not good thing, though I don‘t think she was treated a fair way either. The fascinating part of this book is how Kuang writes the book into this exploration of the publishing industry. How unfair it is to those seen as revolutionary writers.
pickIdentity and he marginalizing of writers of color, Yellowface is a timely and thought provoking novel. It‘s a complicated and complex novel, well written, and rife with unlikeable and yet fascinating characters. Readers who enjoy satire will appreciate this view of publishing as well. Full review at http://booknaround.blogspot.com/2024/08/review-yellowface-by-r-f-kuang.html
pickI smiled like a Cheshire Cat while listening to this whole audiobook—and I loved to hate this deliciously devilish MC.
There was a twist later on that made her almost sympathetic, but still, she‘s a horrible horrible person.
It was a fascinating dive into the publishing world. And the narration (Helen Laser) was SO clutch!
Thank you @Itchyfeetreader @monalyisha for #AuldLangSpine and lighting a fire under me to FINALLY read this one!!
so-soThis held my attention the entire time but wasn‘t too impressed overall?
pan🎧📖 I don't really get the hype, I almost DNF'd. MC whines the entire time about the situation that she put herself in. I guess there are a number of hot topics that would be good for a book club/discussion, but I just couldn't get past the unlikable MC.
pickThe book follows June; a failed author and her critically acclaimed author friend Athena. Athena has few friends and occasionally hang out. On one such occasion, Athena abruptly dies and amidst all the chaos of 911 and all June manages to grab Athena‘s latest unpublished piece. She modifies the manuscript and publishes it under her own name and literally steps into a shoes of a celebrated author, something which she has never been before.
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pick4.5/5 ⭐️
Incollata alle pagine fino alla fine
A tratti mi sentivo così vicina alla protagonista e alle volte così lontana, ma comunque provavo quel senso di empatia per una persona che continua a lottare nonostante tutto per ritagliarsi il suo angolo in un mondo estremamente competitivo e senza scrupoli
pickThe protagonist June is so self absorbed. This novel is as much about the publishing industry as it is about the addictive nature of social media. Well written - humorous and clever.
#12Booksof2024 @Andrew65 MARCH
I kept seeing this on Litsy and it took me ages to read it. Was I disappointed? No I loved it.
#333Challenge
Auto Buy -
This has changed a lot in recent years
Jacqueline Woodson
Han Kang
Yaa Gyasi
Read More:
Valérie Perrin
Percival Everett
R.F. Kuang
Start Reading:
George Eliot
Fonda Lee
and I guess Emily Henry since I randomly bought 2 of her books at some point.
panI picked up a used copy to see what the hype was. While the issues around cancel culture and cultural appropriation were timely, I found the protagonist and voice unlikeable from the start (and also saw the ending coming fairly early). I‘m probably in the minority here.
pickI loved the first third of this book and was angry at myself for being so late to the game (it‘s been on my tbr list forever ever). The last 25% had me thinking that it ought to have ended sooner. I get that she wanted to wrap a loose thread, but I think it could have been left loose because it lost its believability for me by tying it up. Still a pick, still thoroughly enjoyed it.
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#boleybooks #yellowface #rfkuang #bookbeast #bookbuds #bookchat #libby
pickThis book is perfectly written with an unreliable narrator and the writing is absolutely uncanny, witty, and disturbing. I was totally sucked in for most of the story, finishing it in a few days. Towards the end, the plot dragged a little bit to me, but overall it was an amazing book.
#HauntedShelf
@PuddleJumper @Jadams89 #FrightClub
#BookRecommendations
#yellow #morallydubious
I'm counting this one for two. Kuang raises many questions and concerns regarding the publishing industry, but the one that encapsulates the novel in my mind is the undeniable fact that Juniper “Song“ Hayward knowingly stole her frenemy's ideas. A fast and fiery read.
+61 points
panJust… no. I get it. The publishing industry sucks. But this story, which had so much promise and so many interesting ideas, felt too much like a whoa-is-me semi-autobiographical editorial that I‘m frustrated I spent time finishing it. And the ending was just not what it could have been. Sad waste of good publishing space.
pickJune Hayward, a struggling novelist, takes advantage of the sudden death of her very successful friend Athena Liu to steal an unpublished manuscript. As June narrates the story of her rise to fame, it is clear her self-absorption and hubris will lead to disaster. The true feat of this gripping novel is that the author manages to humanize June, despite her many, many flaws, while Athena remains a mystery, seen only through the eyes of others.
bailedI‘m bailing on this book. Made it half way through and just can‘t go on anymore. This book is like talking to one of your long winded friends on the phone where you can put the phone down, walk away for 10 minutes, and not miss a thing. Oh, and if you don‘t vote Democrat you‘re a facist and a racist. The MC is very unlikable and the whole social media basis of the book just makes me hate social media even more. I‘m out on this one ☝️ #hailthebail
#AboutABook Day 28: A book #YouveReread with my college kid last year when we decided to include this in our summer book club of two for our usual read-aloud. It was hilarious.
so-soThere‘s some interesting things in here about racism in the publishing industry, but for me, the main character is too unlikeable, and the message of the book thrust too much in the reader‘s face, for me to enjoy the novel. I prefer something a little more subtle.
pickIt‘s times like these I wish I was in a book club! At first I really struggled, the main character is vile, I found it uncomfortable to read, wondered what the writer was trying to do but it‘s such a clever book, so much to unpack! gave an insight and appreciation to the publishing industry which I had never thought of. Highlighting the toxicity of social media. Its apparent Jealousy , judgemental awful human traits I struggle reading about 😅
pickFor the longest time, I had no intentions of reading this one. After seeing people read and love this book for about six months, I decided I would see what all the hype was about. I put the audiobook on hold with my local library and waited another eight months for my chance. I enjoyed this story and am glad I read it. If I hadn‘t read it, I think I would have been okay, too.
Full review at https://abookandadog.com/blog/yellowface
pickI read this for my IRL book club. We also read The Plot this year, which is unfortunate because they‘re very similar. Yellowface is definitely more layered. I think it‘s a better book. When comparing the quality of the writing, however, I‘m not sure that Kuang‘s text is any stronger. 👇🏻
I am still in the middle of this one for #AuthorAMonth. I find this a difficult read to get through. It isn't bad. I think I just find it uncomfortable, which makes it less enjoyable for me. @Soubhiville
pickwhen i say i DEVOURED this. the way i was mad throughout the whole book because of june and was PRAYING FOR HER DOWNFALL, listen its because of the shtty things she did and the way shes trying to justify it like-?? there was just one off that i'm like oh that's random? why is this being shoved in? i thought this was just literary satire, but why is there horror now with that ghost
pickI have not thoroughly hated a MC in a looooong time. What a book.
pickI despise the main character in this book (and that is probably an understatement) but the fact that the author could make me despise a character so much speaks to the writing. You are pulled into the story from the first page, and although you know it's only going to get worse, you can't put the book down. While I understand where the ending comes from, I think there could have been a better ending for the character.
#AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville
so-soI don‘t know if my expectations were too high or it was the fact I read this while I bed with pneumonia (yes 2024 really hates me) but this didn‘t fully work for me. June is deliciously unlikeable and Kuang managed to create tension even when I wasn‘t fully invested. Glad I finally read it but I appreciated it more than I liked it. #autheramonth
Rainy day at the cottage today so there will be reading, board games and colouring with the kiddos today. Going to jump in on #AuthorAMonth with the tagged book. While I saw this book pop up everywhere for a few months, I have no idea what it is about...which is kind of fun sometimes!
#RainyDay #Cottage #LakeSideReading
“Reading lets us live in someone else‘s shoes. Literature builds bridges; it makes our world larger, not smaller.”
pickThe tagged was a compulsively quick read - the story spirals so quickly, it‘s tough to put down.
Admittedly, I kept waiting for a *why* June acted this way. My brain needed a reason why, even if it was ridiculous or left-field. Clues were only hinted at though - ultimately, June is who she is, the reader can draw their own conclusion.
Wild. Unnerving. Biting. Looking forward to reading more of Kuang‘s work. ✨ #AuthorAMonth
pickThis is a GREAT beach read, fast-paced and easy to read. I hated the entitled, self-centered unreliable narrator and enjoyed rooting for her downfall. The critiques of the racist, toxic publishing industry and online book world (Twitter, etc.) added something deeper to the book, although part of me wishes the book were far more complex - maybe with multiple versions of the narrative like Hernan Diaz's Trust. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ #AuthorAMonth #AAM @Soubhiville
June‘s descent is swift & brutal. Her narcissism is so petty but also so achingly common? The 1-star on GR debate is a nuanced thing but authors getting territorial about it? A whole new level of kill your darlings & power tripping. #AuthorAMonth
pick#AAM When I read Babel last year I thought it was a captivating and original fantasy story, but the themes behind it seemed incredibly heavy handed, and as the conclusion approached it began to seem more and predictable. Overall I feel really disappointed when I think back on it, so I was reluctant to start this one. Surprisingly, I had a hard time putting this down and listened to it in one day. I found it much more nuanced than Babel, 👇🏼
pickJunie Hayward aka Juniper Song is one character I would have loved to reach out and give her a good shake. She is accused of taking the work of another young writer and has it published after much rewriting. She certainly needed someone to give her some very stern advice. I enjoyed the book. R F Kuang certainly wrote a novel worth reading. 4/5
June is wrapped! Unintentionally read a lot of pink covers this past month 🤷🏻♀️💖
pickQuite fast read. Despite that the plots sometimes make me feel like I‘m watching “Gossip Girl” all over, the book does offer some serious thoughts provoking on the issues of representation and cultural appropriation. It also teeters on the brink of satire for the harsh reality of the entertainment industry and who gets/owns to voice their version of the storytelling.
