I normally wouldn't have picked this book up, but I love RF Kuang's other books. This book is definitely not her typical novel, but I still enjoyed it. Kuang's message came through loud and clear, and the book provided an interesting look at the publishing industry. Unfortunately, I didn't really find myself caring about any of the characters, so this wasn't a 5 star read for me.

I really enjoyed this book. I could not stop listening to this one. A thought provoking and entertaining look into the world of publishing. This book definitely got me out of my reading slump. Themes of racism, plagiarism and a peek behind the curtain exposing some of the challenges authors face. The narration and pace of the audiobook was perfection.

Never has a book had the audacity to slap us across the face with its audacity and cringeworthiness. Everytime I thought things couldn't get worse, they did. Overall, while I believe the events of this book to be an exaggeration, the story felt a little too close to the truth of what happens in publishing and the lack of accountability from both the publishers and authors. Kuang could have cut the final 15-20% and the book would have been perfection.

Kuang's voice is so strong. The whole story is carefully structured and Lasser did an incredible job voicing an unlikable character. Listening to it increased the cringe factor to a 100%.

I am speechless with how brilliant this novel is. I have never hated a character so much, the audacity is mind blowing. I had to stop the audiobook several times because I was uncomfortable with Junipers decisions.
The narrator is incredible. I hate myself for taking so long to finally get to this.

Wow! Is the book publishing industry really like this? Enjoyable, approachable and kept me reading.

I absolutely loved this book and found R.F Kuang's satirical look at the publishing industry, and the world in general, as sharp, smart, biting, and brutally truthful. I love that the author did not shy away from making the book's protagonist a totally unreliable, unlikeable narrator, one that the reader can't put down! Well done. This surprised me and made me think. Highly recommend.

This audiobook surpassed everything I thought it'd be. The narrator was able to catch the intricacies of Kuang's writing and created a whirl wind of a great story. I would recommend this title, and audiobook, for anyone!

I loved this book for its examination of the publishing world and the intersection of racial politics, the commentary on who gets to write what, AND the inclusion of dealing with grief and heightened emotions and internal dialogue about what success is/means. Most of the characters are hardly likeable, but there's so much intrigue and nuance that you still become extremely invested in their stories.

The narrator is also excellent.

“Every time she tried to branch out to new projects, they kept insisting that Asian was her brand, was what her audience expected. They never let her talk about anything other than being an immigrant, other than the fact that half her family died in Cambodia, that her dad killed himself on the twentieth anniversary of Tiananmen. Racial trauma sells, right? They treated her like a museum.” —R.F. Kuang, Yellowface

While I feel as though there’s nothing I can say about Yellowface that hasn’t already been said, I can’t help but share how extraordinary this book is. I marvel at how R.F. Kuang managed to successfully dissect and bring forth such a timely, nuanced critique of the publishing industry, deftly navigating themes of racism, privilege, cultural appropriation, cancel culture, plagiarism and more, through the satirical lens of a white woman who is so unaware of her own privilege, unable to see beyond her own struggles. Her voice comes across crystal clear, even through such an unreliable point of view, from such an unlikable main character. And to release such a powerful story in the midst of the Harper Union strike? Timely indeed! What’s more, it has been especially interesting to see, in real time, how the backlash this book has received vividly mirrors and further validates the points R.F. Kuang brings forth within this story. Yellowface is an incredible feat of literary criticism and I cannot recommend it enough.

I listened to the audiobook, and narration reinforced the absurdity of the plagiarizing novelist's self-serving justification and her misplaced indignation at being called out for the theft.

What a compelling read. Every bit as beautifully written as Babel, though a completely different beast. I could hardly stop listening. Helen Laser perfectly brings out the arrogance and defensiveness of the protagonist. I loved the complexity of it, how although we get to explore the darker side of human nature, the narrative itself retains a twinkle of humour that gives the whole its unique flavour. Highly recommended.

This is a great character-focused plot. I did a lot of head shaking while reading some of the things this main character did, taking the work of her peer/friend/frenemy. Kuang is a great writer with profound stories.

If you liked Disorientation, you'll like this one.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an e-ARC of Yellowface by R.F. Kuang.
Yellowface is a story that makes you think about circumstances and how you would react when given a special opportunity. What if you could use a bad event to give your own life a boost? This book makes the reader think about moral dilemma and consequences for our actions. Well written and well thought out, a book that makes you question.

Two fellow Yale students wanted to become authors. One becomes hugely famous and the other struggles for attention. June Hayward remains one of the few friends that Athena Liu still has. Athena has become the darling of the literary world while June is stuck with no inspiration for her next book. Even if June did manage to write something, it would probably only get a modicum of attention.

When Athena invites her friend to come to her place to celebrate the completion of her newest potential bestseller, June becomes entangled in an ethical quandary. After Athena drops dead, June is left holding the sole typewritten copy of the manuscript. Her personal dilemma of what to do wars with her overriding desperation to have an acclaimed book credited to her. Surely some personal editing will justify her authorship.

Neither June nor Athena is particularly likeable. This is intentional. The story centers on plagiarism and unethical behavior. June’s voice gives readers insight into her rationale as she continues to be haunted by others who question her authorship. She justifies her actions, battling with her own doubts and touting her righteous indignation. But there are some bigger issues at play such as pigeonholing minority writers, stressing “authentic” experiences and using labels to promote diversity. All in all, the book is clever and makes valid points but still fails to engender any sympathy for bad behavior.

The audio version is nicely performed by Helen Laser.

Genre: Contemporary/Literary

Format: Audio/Physical

5🌟 - I loved it!

One of my favorites of the year! This was such a biting, satirical, and clever commentary on publishing and the industry. It has the wit, social commentary, and touched on themes of racism, cancel culture, and discrimination.

This feels like an important conversation surrounding representation in stories and who has the right to tell them which has been very poignant lately.

The audio was top notch, and will be one I will recommend again and again!

Brilliant, flawed, unhinged, fast-paced, and unforgettable this is one you need to add to your TBR immediately!

I listened to this as an audiobook, and I loved the narrator’s voice. There were times when her voice was the only thing that kept me coming back and listening. This book is meant to make you uncomfortable. At times, I felt sad for everyone involved. This wasn’t an easy book to listen to and it was not the fault of the author. The topic is difficult, the story is sad and ugly. June’s first-person recounting of her interpretation of events made me uncomfortable at times (as was its intent) as we watched the ups and downs of her naivety and seemingly well-intentioned, but terribly executed actions and the events that unfolded after.

"Yellowface" by R.F. Kuang is a sharply satirical and thought-provoking novel that delves into issues of identity, cultural appropriation, and the blurred lines between truth and deception. Kuang's exploration of these themes is both chilling and darkly humorous, making for a captivating and impactful read.

The story revolves around June Hayward, a seemingly unremarkable aspiring author who finds herself entangled in a web of lies and deceit after witnessing the accidental death of the literary darling Athena Liu. When June seizes the opportunity to claim Athena's unpublished manuscript as her own, she sets off a chain of events that lead her to fame and success as Juniper Song, the author of a powerful novel about Chinese laborers during World War I. However, as June's stolen success starts to crumble under the weight of its own deception, she is forced to confront the moral and ethical implications of her actions.

Kuang's narrative voice is immersive and captivating, pulling readers into June's perspective and inner turmoil. The first-person narration effectively conveys June's thoughts and emotions, as well as her complex motivations. The author skillfully navigates between moments of tension and vulnerability, allowing readers to connect with June on a personal level.

The novel's exploration of cultural appropriation and identity is where its real strength lies. Kuang tackles these topics with a sharp wit and incisive commentary, shedding light on the complexities of representation, the dangers of commodifying culture, and the alienation that social media can amplify. June's journey serves as a lens through which these issues are examined, highlighting the moral gray areas and the consequences of blurring the lines between fiction and reality.

Kuang's prose is both accessible and impactful, with a narrative that maintains a swift pace while delving into deeper thematic layers. The author's ability to seamlessly blend humor, drama, and social commentary results in a truly engaging reading experience.

"Yellowface" is a timely and relevant novel that challenges readers to consider the implications of cultural appropriation and the role of social media in shaping our perceptions of truth and authenticity. R.F. Kuang's distinctive storytelling style, coupled with her exploration of pressing societal issues, makes this novel a standout addition to contemporary literature. It's a story that resonates long after the final page is turned, inviting readers to reflect on their own understanding of identity, representation, and the power of storytelling.

R. F. Kuang is a talented writer but her books don't seem to work for me. Yellowface is a deep satire that throws darts at many people in the publishing industry, and pokes fun at people who write Goodreads reviews, use twitter, other authors, publicists, agents - pretty much everyone. The main character, June Hayward, aka "Juniper Song" was so insufferable that I nearly DNFed the audiobook after being 79% done. I don't consider myself a person that reads solely for entertainment, but reading this author makes me feel like I am just trying too hard. Thank you to Netgalley for the audiobook.

This was such a unique book that discussed diversity in the publishing industry, who gets to tell whose story, and the consequences of plagiarism. The main character is a majorly flawed individual who has accurate observations and even a cause for empathy. This book isn't for everyone and may seem too trendy because of pop culture references and its dive into the Twitterverse, but I loved every second of its dark irony and sarcasm.

Struggling writer June Hayward and well-known author Athena Liu are sort of friends, so when the latter invites her up to her apartment for pancakes, starry-eyed June can't refuse. But when Athena chokes to death on her food, June seizes the moment to slip the dead woman's manuscript into her bag. Months later, June publishes it under her own name which sets off a chain of events with irreversible consequences.

Trippy, Satirical, and Quirky, this was everything I hoped it would be!

A huge thank you to the publisher, bibliolifestyle for a complimentary finished copy, and libro.fm for an ALC!