Bookseller Reviews
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Tense and thought-provoking
Be prepared to absolutely hate our protagonist, Jane, as she attempts to rationalise the very sticky situation she gets herself into; pretending to be best... READ MORE
Best book I’ve read this year!
Never have I loved a book yet hated it’s main character until now. That’s the beauty of Kuang’s writing, I actively did not want, Juniper, Yellowface’s mai... READ MORE
Speechless with a lot to say!!
Yellowface is as non-fiction as it is fiction. Kuang manages to create a plot that is so realistic that it ends up feeling surreal that this is a literary ... READ MORE
Like Nothing I've Ever Read
Okay, I’ve had a week to think about this book and wow. Just like Athena, this story has haunted me.
The whole time I was reading this book, I knew that w... READ MORE
a dark, satirical and amazingly written novel. I can't stop thinking about it!
You guys are NOT ready for this book. WOW. R.F.Kuang is nothing short of a genius.
[ Firstly just a thank you to the publisher for sending me an early cop... READ MORE
Utterly Compelling Stuff
Having read and loved Babel, I was really interested to see how Kuang handles a more 'literary' book for want of a. better word. She is clearly a hugely ac... READ MORE
A Gripping Satire on Identity, Race, and the Publishing Industry
I couldn't resist diving into 'Yellowface' by Rebecca F. Kuang since it has been all over the internet, and everyone seems to be talking about it. The buzz... READ MORE
Wow…
Wow, my chest still hurts from the tension! This was my first Kuang, and as far as introductions go, it’s safe to say Yellowface left an impression. The tu... READ MORE
Hauntingly bewitching...
Yellowface is a detailed and fascinating portrayal of the publishing industry, exposing the dark unseen depths and exploring the issue of race within a lit... READ MORE
A darkly fierce and insightful page-turner
Yellowface is a witty, vibrantly unique and razor sharp novel. I haven’t ever read a book like it. This is a smart, funny and thrilling examination of raci... READ MORE
Not my usual read
Firstly a thankyou to Harper Collins for my ARC copy!
I could write about the intricacies of Yellowface for hours, how you love and hate June all at once ... READ MORE
A Must Read!
I cannot express how much I loved this book. The topics covered are challenging, and Kuang pulls it off so well. As usual, the characters are written metic... READ MORE
Jaw-dropping!
I don't usually read literary thrillers but the cover was so striking that I picked Yellowface up, read the first page, and was instantly hooked. The expos... READ MORE
Completely Unputdownable!
This book is going to change everything. A searing indictment of the publishing industry and also literally one of the most addictive thrillers I’ve ever r... READ MORE
POW! 'AVE THAT!
I don't usually read literary thrillers but the cover was so striking that I picked Yellowface up, read the first page, and was instantly hooked. The expos... READ MORE
Gritty and unapologetic - a triumph
I didn’t know what to expect going into this book but every page was better than the last. Having read a sample chapter way before publication I knew from ... READ MORE
Seeing it all come crashing down has never been so enjoyable :)
"The night I watch Athena Liu die, we're celebrating her TV deal with Netflix." are the first words from unsuccessful white author, June Hayward. Her succe... READ MORE
Quirky, aloof, erudite
Rebecca Kuang's novel Yellowface is a book about the publishing industry, race, mental health and how the three coincide. The novel follows June Haywood, w... READ MORE
I had not been so stressed since watching the Battle of Winterfell!
Before reading ‘Yellowface’, I had not been so stressed since watching the Battle of Winterfell in the final season of Game of Thrones.
Kuang did somethin... READ MORE
Absolutely INSANE
This is so crazy yet it happens!! Couldn't put this down!!
Captivating, satirical and imperative!
R.F. Kuang NEVER MISSES!
Yellowface is a captivating, satirical and imperative read on the publishing industry and who is able to tell what story. Followi... READ MORE
Utterly unique
I was fortunate enough to be sent a proof of Yellowface before publication and it did not disappoint. The book gripped me from beginning to end and Kuang’s... READ MORE
Fantastic read and ever better critique!
I thoroughly enjoyed this one, as I quite enjoy Rebecca narrative style, but if you are coming from having read Babel or The Poppy Wars, bear in mind this ... READ MORE
R.F. Kuang never misses!
This was one of my most anticipated books of the year, and I'm kind of sort of mad at it, because I finished it in a single day (almost a single sitting!) ... READ MORE
Gripping
I have read "Babel" and it was so, so good! Because of that, I was really excited to read "Yellowface"! I am so happy that I managed to get an advanced cop... READ MORE
An unforgettable and tense literary masterpiece.
First and foremost, I'd like to thank El from HarperCollins for personally recommending this book, and sending me a copy to review. I think I've finally ha... READ MORE
Like looking into an altered reality
Kuang certainly cannot be accused of too little variation in her work. This novel is about as far from 'Babel' or 'The Poppy War' trilogy as it is possible... READ MORE
WOW!!
Where do I even begin?!
First of all, I love Kuang’s work, and reading this only solidified my love for her writing.
This book follows June Hayward, an a... READ MORE
Blisteringly dark and brilliant
Of course, I could not pass up the opportunity to receive an advance proof copy of Yellowface. Babel was one of my standout reads for 2022, and the descrip... READ MORE
I loved to hate June
I often found myself immensely frustrated with the main character, June, and I loved every minute of it! She is satire at it's finest. I think Kuang was ve... READ MORE
A glimpse behind the literary curtain....
I couldn't stop myself continuing with this story despite the very real dislike of the main character Juniper; completely gripping! An entire story told fr... READ MORE
Shortsighted Lead
The first page of Rebecca F. Kuang's "Yellowface" had me chuckling and fully engaged for a bitter tale of jealousy and self deluded indulgence. And I did e... READ MORE
Incredibly avarage !
Having seen the popularity of Babel, I was intrigued to read this. Sadly it wasn't for me. I waited for something to happen, and nothing. It meandered ,nev... READ MORE
A unique, satirical insight into the dark side of the publishing industry
I absolutely devoured this book. I'm not usually one for unlikable and unreliable narrators but Kuang's writing is addictive. We follow June Hayward, an un... READ MORE
Unflinching and necessary
I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
When June Hayward witnesses the death of fellow writer Athena Liu, she takes the manuscript si... READ MORE
this book is bound to stick with you!
rebecca kuang’s first foray into literary fiction and she did not disappoint! this book is both satirical, dark and humorous at times, all whilst ensuring ... READ MORE
a dark, satirical and amazingly written novel. I can't stop thinking about it!
You guys are NOT ready for this book. WOW. R.F.Kuang is nothing short of a genius.
[ Firstly just a thank you to the publisher for sending me an early cop... READ MORE
I look forward to more from R. F. Kuang
I did enjoy this. I just didn’t love it with that fever pitch can’t put it down, don’t ever want it to be over that is what I consider to be a five star.
... READ MORE
Sooo good!
Another unputdownable book! Everyone needs to read it, whether you're a fan of Kuang's fantasy novel or not.
Wow, wow, wow
This was the first R.F. Kuang book I’ve read and it didn’t disappoint, I was hooked from the first chapter! I found it so fascinating reading about the pub... READ MORE
Political satire at its finest!
Another example of why R.F Kuang is one the most intelligent, versatile and honest writers of our time.
A two day read that challenged my longing to fin... READ MORE
A searing satirical thriller and Kuang's best yet!
Yellowface is a searing satirical thriller set in the publishing industry that is darkly humorous and tense.
June and Anthea went to university together... READ MORE
Stunning
Full of delightful twists and turns, Yellowface has cemented Kuang's position as one of my favourite authors writing today.
The thieving protagonist and... READ MORE
R. F. Kuang never misses
Another absolute banger from R. F. Kuang!In a departure from Fantasy, Kuang’s 'Yellowface' is a satire of the publishing industry and certain authors’ Twit... READ MORE
Horrendously entertaining!
After knocking it out of the park with her last novel, Babel, I was eager to get my hands on whatever Rebecca Kuang was writing next. I was surprised and d... READ MORE
Never Has Disliking A Narrator Felt So Good
Yellowface is a fist-biting satire of creative theft and whitewashing, told through the blissfully, blisteringly ignorant account of a struggling writer wh... READ MORE
a compulsive satirical thriller
I was kindly given an uncorrected proof by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I could Not put this down. I read this almost compulsively, p... READ MORE
A darkly thrilling and engaging examination of the publishing industry
I absolutely loved Yellowface! It’s fast-paced and incredibly engaging, I was so so sad it was over when I finished it and I haven’t stopped thinking about... READ MORE
The book everyone needs to read.
Kuang does it again with another intense, immense classic. Yellowface is a story of so many things; racism, colourism, greed, fame, opportunity… it is an e... READ MORE
A cracking good read!
Wow! If I could have a one-word review, that would be it. RF Kuang can do fantasy, with the Poppy War trilogy, dark academia with ‘Babel’ and now literary... READ MORE
a bananas thriller
I read this almost compulsively, putting it down only to work and sleep. Yellowface ticked a lot of my boxes: the story takes us behind the scenes of the p... READ MORE
One of my favourite authors
Having read and loved The Poppy War trilogy and Babel, I went into this knowing I would enjoy it - and I did! Kuang's style of writing is so addictive, I i... READ MORE
A Page-Turner!
This book was a satire done so so well, and though I’m a bit late with my review - it does deserve all the previously mentioned great things, and others to... READ MORE
Best book I've read this year
The other reviews say it all - an excellent critique of white privilege, the publishing world itself, social media, and the sexism that villanises a woman ... READ MORE
Best read of 23 (and it's only July)
You have - at the time of writing this - 64 other reviews you can read, so let me make it quick:
Read this!
(I got my hands on a review copy, lucky me!)
Addicting!
This was one WILD ride of toxic friendship, greed and ambition! Yellowface features a morally grey, unreliable narrator whose downfall you’re praying for! ... READ MORE
So obsessed!!
I don’t think RF Kuang could ever write something I wouldn’t absolutely love!
Yellowface is absolutely everything. RF Kuang has this incredible ability ... READ MORE
Addictive!
It's unputdownable!
I feel like it's a must-read for anyone who wants a bit of an insight into the publishing industry.
Very entertaining and easy to re... READ MORE
Best book I’ve ever read.
What more can I say. I loved everything about this book. From the characters, suspense, intrigue and deep dive into publishing. It’s all just so perfect. H... READ MORE
A searing satirical thriller
Yellowface is a searing satirical thriller set in the publishing industry that is darkly humorous and tense.
June and Anthea went to university together... READ MORE
A must-read!
This book was described to me as "watching a train wreck, but in a good way" and I couldn't agree more.
Experiencing the book through Juniper's perspective... READ MORE
Another 5 star book from Rebecca Kuang!
I absolutely loved this book with every fiber of my being. You know you are reading a great book when you hate the unlikeable main character so much. Kuang... READ MORE
A lesson; a warning — but is Yellowface a game changer?
Yellowface is fascinating, with its Mean Girls popular vote one minute, then drifting off the road into the dark realms of Misery. It’s sly and arch, but a... READ MORE
A protagonist you will love to hate
Wow. Just wow. A simply stunning and thought provoking literary thriller. I COULD NOT put this down, every time it got super tense and I felt I needed a br... READ MORE
Totally Addictive from the first page
R F Kuang's writing is incredible!!! I enjoyed reading this one so much, i could hardly put it down!!!
Brutal and Compelling
A real tour de force of cultural appropriation, plagiarism and envy, Juniper is a character that we love to hate, and yet represents mistakes that we all m... READ MORE
Brutal. I Was Gaping At Pages. Was This Allowed?
So this looked like a Devil Wears Prada but going for a neat stab at the publishing industry, Yellowface looked like it might hurt a bit, so of course I wa... READ MORE
Amazing
I did not know what to expect from Yellowface but I was not expecting to love it quite so much.
The book follows June, who after her ‘friends’ death, st... READ MORE
Gripping and Insightful
I'll say it - from the very first page I was hooked. This book offered a non-stop thrill for me as a reader, and I commend Kuang for keeping the pace. Howe... READ MORE
i could not stop reading
Athena Liu and June Hayward were meant to be the next big things in the literary world, having been in the same year at Yale and becoming friends. While At... READ MORE
I'm so annoyed with myself that I didn't read this sooner!
R. F. Kuang is an absolute genius. Her writing is so brilliant that I can do nothing but gush about it. June is an incredibly unlikeable character - she i... READ MORE
4.5 stars - an essential and original lit fic that exposes the biases of the industry
4.5 stars
This is yet another masterpiece by R F Kuang. I love her writing style and - after ready katabasis and babel - really enjoyed exploring it in ... READ MORE
A Dark Descent into the Publishing World
I read Yellowface right after Babel and like Babel, it is a fast-paced and addictive book to read. I was reading this on my phone while walking home from w... READ MORE
Compulsive reading
A compulsive, unputdownable dive into white privilege, power, and entitlement within publishing. Dark but funny, this book unapologetically calls out all t... READ MORE
R. F. Kuang’s done it again!
A masterful narrative of everything wrong with the publishing industry.
Kuang had such a beautiful fluidity to her writing that makes the story easy to... READ MORE
Addictive!
Devoured in two days, couldn’t put it down! The characters and story were so engrossing and engaging, absolutely loved it!
Dark humour at its best
I absolutely loved and devoured this book! After having only read Kuang’s Poppy War triology I was not sure what to expect from this contemporary thriller.... READ MORE
A true literary work of art
Is there anyone out there doing it like R.F. Kuang?? I don't think so! Absolutely stunning, I could not put it down, and I think this firmly cements R.F. K... READ MORE
Serious and witty in equal measure
I finally got to this after being really privileged to receive a proof shortly before its publication, and it was worth every bit of hype! It was such a br... READ MORE
Well written and thought provoking
Yellowface was very easy to read and I flew through it, for the first 50% I thought it was brilliant. Perhaps it's just because every single character is e... READ MORE
Tense, chaotic and frustrating...but in a good way!
If your looking for a stream of consciousness type novel with nail biting, unerving tension, you've found your next read.
I've read few books like this,... READ MORE
One of the best of the year
My first Rebecca F. Kuang and it did not disappoint. I found the writing style unique with deadpan humour and a narcissistic protagonist, you’d never want ... READ MORE
Complex and Thrilling
This is a darkly funny thriller that tackles culture appropriation, toxic friendships and the hardships people of colour face in the publishing industry. K... READ MORE
Unputdownable I loved this book!
The book is so interesting as all the way through you are just shocked at the attitude of the main character and she is really unlikeable, but that is what... READ MORE
From the author of the global bestseller Babel. As unputdownable as it is wickedly funny, Kuang’s pin-sharp thriller of the machinations of the publishing world is a novel to gobble up in one, breathless sitting.
Synopsis
Athena Liu is a literary darling.
June Hayward is literally nobody.
But when June just happens to witness Athena die in a freak accident, she realises now is her chance to find fame.
So what if that means stealing her friend’s work?
So what if that means creating a new, racially ambiguous identity?
So what if a social media scandal is about to blow her cover?
As her lies mount up and threaten her stolen success, how far will June go to keep what she thinks she deserves…
This is one hell of a story. It’s just not hers to tell.
Publisher information
- Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
- ISBN: 9780008532819
- Number of pages: 336
- Dimensions: 198 x 129 x 31 mm
- Weight: 290g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allDevoured in one sitting
The world of publishing is thrust into the spotlight in this book, and ultimately found lacking.
This is a world in which Bestsellers are seemingly chosen ... READ MORE
so different, brilliant and amazing
Yellowface
Title - Yellowface
Author - R F Kuang
Release Date - May 25th 2023
Page Count - 350
Read/Listen Time - 10hrs
Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars
Let m... READ MORE
This had potential, but unfortunately I found it boring and depressing
I'm sorry to say that I really didn't get along with this book. I'll start with the positives - I enjoy unreliable narrators in all their forms, so that wa... READ MORE
Yellowface is a huge criticism of publishing!
I finally read Yellowface, the newest masterpiece by R.F. Kuang which will be released on May 25, 2023.
First of all, I have to thank Netgalley, HarperCol... READ MORE
Yellowface by R F kuang
Yellowface by R F Kuang is a story about two writers June Haywood and Athena Liu, they were supposed to be twin rising stars, same year at Yale, same year ... READ MORE
Impressive read, exploring important topics
I mostly enjoy this; I loved the insight into the publishing industry and the problems within, and Kuang's beautiful writing - which I first experienced in... READ MORE
Wow.
4.5/5
If I’d read this book without knowing the author and you’d told me it was RF Kuang , I wouldn’t have believed you. Wait a minute…
How far would you go for success
Yellowface by Rebecca F Kuang
I give this book 4.5 stars
This book is written in the first person (so buckle up to be in Junes head) The author has crea... READ MORE
A soulless and heartless read.
Sadly, I didn't enjoy it at all.
.
This is the 2nd book I've read by this author and I really don't like how Kuang writes her characters. I don't mind r... READ MORE
I devoured this in less than 24 hours, it was so perfect
Is there a more anticipated book of 2023 than this? I don't think there is. I admit, that whilst I own a copy of Babel, at the time of writing this, I hadn... READ MORE
Perfectly dislikable protagonist
This book was insane, there is nothing like watching a character doing horrible things but convincing themselves that it is a good thing, all the while eve... READ MORE
Yellowface by Rebecca F Kuang
This is quite gripping. A young author witnesses the accidental death of her friend who is a much more successful writer and, as the corpse is being remove... READ MORE
Hauntingly real
Yellowface is a detailed and fascinating portrayal of the publishing industry, exposing the dark unseen depths and exploring the issue of race within a lit... READ MORE
Gripping, infatuating and overall just impossible to put down!
At this point, I’d read R.F Kuang’s shopping list if they published it. After the explosive release of Babel, I was desperate to read more of their writing... READ MORE
Amazing!
Everyone is absolutely terrible, they are awful people with appalling personalities. The kind who you want to loose your control, punch them and tell them ... READ MORE
A scorching charge on cultural appropriation
Yellowface
by R.F. Kuang
Having read Babel last year, I was so impressed with Kuang's writing and especially her use of language that I leapt at the chanc... READ MORE
What a versatile author!
4.5 stars rounded down to 4.
Wow! What a completely different novel to Babel. Kuang proves she is an adaptable, and talented writer.
Yellowface is (very)... READ MORE
Fantastic
I could not put this book down. Despite the central character being a thoroughly unlikeable self- serving narcissist, I couldn't wait to see what happened.... READ MORE
Lived up to the hype
Sometimes you come across a book that is super hyped and it just doesn't live up to expectations, and sometimes you come across a book that is super hyped ... READ MORE
Jealousy
A novel that gave an insight into the world of publishing, of jealousy, backstabbing, of representation, and who we are..
June was our main protagonist, t... READ MORE
Mixed Feelings
Ooh some mixed feelings about this one! I don’t often read books over 300 pages in 2 days so it clearly kept my interest but despite this being my first R.... READ MORE
An absolute must-read
"Yellowface" by Rebecca F. Kuang is an incredible book that explores the complexities of identity, power, and self-acceptance.
The story revolves around J... READ MORE
Worth The Hype!
Heavily influenced by the Instagram book community, Yellowface was EVERYWHERE as a must read, and who am I to resist becoming involved? I couldn’t wait to ... READ MORE
A prescient glance into the modern publishing industry that lacks in comparison to Kuang's other works
After watching friend (and I use the term loosely) Athena Liu choke to death on a pandan pancake, June Hayward - having envied Athena for years for her lit... READ MORE
Spectacular
June and Athena were contemporaries at Yale. They are writers but Athena’s career has skyrocketed and June’s is dead in the water. When Athena dies in a fr... READ MORE
Jealousy is a disease
This book was keeping me on my toes the whole time. I could almost consider it a thriller.
Juniper Hayward is an author in vain. Her classmate and dist... READ MORE
Yes! But...
Maybe my expectations were just too high, given the buzz about Yellowface and Rebecca F. Kuang (I really enjoyed Babel by the way). However, I thought Yell... READ MORE
Eye-opener
June is an unsuccessful author who is bitterly living in the shadow of her old college friend Athena Liu. She is pretty much everything June wishes she cou... READ MORE
New to RFK, great read if you’re into writing.
I haven't read any of RFK's other books, so I didn't go into this novel with any expectation. I also read lit-fiction, so think that's where this book fit... READ MORE
Enlightening
Wow, this is one thought-provoking novel. I found the characters thoroughly unlikeable and was squirming in my seat for most of the read waiting for seemin... READ MORE
A truly sensational book that you simply must read
June and Athena are both writers, though worlds apart. June has had no success with her writing and Athena has become a bestseller. When Athena dies, June ... READ MORE
Yellowface
Well, this was a little different to what I usually read but I was so intrigued by the synopsis, I thought I'd give it a spin and I am so glad I did.
We st... READ MORE
Highly recommended
The Poppy War was dark and violent, this is one is darkly funny and full of violence. It's a multilayered book: you can read as a thriller, a satirical nov... READ MORE
Funny & Very Different!
Thank you to the publishers for this early review copy. I had heard so many great things about it before I picked it up that I started this with the highes... READ MORE
I didn't like it as much as I liked the cover
I really wanted to like this book as much as I like the cover. Instead, I have mixed feelings, hard to put this review together. I might be in the minority... READ MORE
A clever, entertaining read.
What I liked:
• The fast pace.
• How cleverly and well written the book was.
• The POV coming from the antagonist.
• The way the characters were writte... READ MORE
Irreverent and truthful.
A witty, irreverent and beautifully dark look at the publishing industry, often hilarious and always always ironically truthful.
Everything that happens i... READ MORE
Brilliant literary thriller
Brilliant! Entertaining, thought-provoking, challenging... the writing is fast, clear, involving: the narrator is morally challenged (and challenging!), p... READ MORE
This was outstanding as my first novel from R.F. Kuang!
To say I was furious and stunned by the audacity of June through this book is an understatement. She used white women's tears, envy/jealousy and discrimina... READ MORE
Publishing laid bare
Yellowface is an enthralling thriller that explores online culture, the publishing world and the modern landscape of cultural debates about racism, privile... READ MORE
Novel set in publishing USA
4.5*
This is very much a novel of the moment, everywhere you look it pops up. And there is good reason. The writing style is very competent and propulsive... READ MORE
How Far Would You Go ?
Having previously read ' Babel ' by R.F. Kuang, a book I really enjoyed, I was very keen to read ' Yellowface' as a comparison. In my opinion, the two book... READ MORE
Absolute page turner which will make you questions yourself
I rarely have found a main character so horrible and relatable at the same time. At the same time, she made me cringe at the exact type of racism I hear fr... READ MORE
A fictious character experiencing imaginary discrimination in an allegorical publishing world...
Or rather, is the author styling herself as an 'Asian-American (read: Chinese-American) author', rather than simply as an (American) author?
You know, fic... READ MORE
Loved it!
Loved this book from start to finish. Went through the motions of liking June to almost feeling sorry for her to realising she’s hella crazy.
Had me ho... READ MORE
A satire take on white privilege existing in the publishing industry
I really can’t wait to see what readers think of this book, especially after the response to Babel.
The story follows June Hayward or shall we say ‘Junip... READ MORE
Simply brilliant
Title - Yellowface
Author - R F Kuang
Release Date - May 25th 2023
Page Count - 350
Read/Listen Time - 10hrs
Rating - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars
Let me preface th... READ MORE
Vividly different
This was such a nice and quick read - I was hooked from the beginning, although I've got to say that the plot is pretty much the same as in THE PLOT by Kor... READ MORE
Yellowface by R F Kuang
R F Kuang is for sure settling herself as a top fav author of mine with Yellowface and Babel.
Where do I even start?
This book was satirical, ridiculous,... READ MORE
Publishing world under the microscope
Thank you to #Netgalley and #HarperCollinsUK for allowing me access to this arc for review.
Rebecca F. Kuang has accomplished a masterpiece, exploring lan... READ MORE
Excellent
Another page-turner from Rebecca Kuang and, having completed The Poppy War trilogy and Bable beforehand, she is firmly established as one of my favourite c... READ MORE
Love love
Love this editions with sprayed edge
Superb
I picked this up before the hype and had no idea about the author or the subject. It isn't aimed at me (a 58 year old bloke), but I really enjoyed it, as ... READ MORE
Speechless, a real page turner
OK, so I am speechless about this book. I don't know where to start this review. So let's first say this is not like other R.F kuang books. It is contempor... READ MORE
Five stars
Set in the world of publishing and social media circles, “Yellowface” is a topical, funny and satirical contemporary tale of creativity, ownership and a di... READ MORE
Thriller With a Horror Protagonist
To say I enjoyed this book feel a little off, it's like saying you enjoy watching car crashes or spending time with unhinged people...but it can't be denie... READ MORE
A multi-faceted examination of diversity in publishing
Athena Liu is a hugely successful young author. One evening when she is celebrating a Netflix deal with less successful writer friend June Hayward, she cho... READ MORE
A fascinating contemporary literary thriller that marks a new direction for Kuang
My thanks to HarperCollins U.K. The Borough Press for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Yellowface’ by Rebecca F. Kuang.
There has been a great deal of prepublic... READ MORE
Awesome
Ruth’s reviews: Yellowface, Rebecca F. Kuang
After reading and loving Babel I had high expectations for Yellowface and it did not disappoint. It’s very di... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
Yellowface
Wow wow wow a five star review, I was hooked from the first page. Truly contemporary and buzzing with humour. My favourite read of the year.
Engrossing and unique storyline
June Hayward believes she has struck gold in the publishing world when she steals the unfinished manuscript of her recently departed literary rival, Athena... READ MORE
Anger-inducing yet I couldn't put it down
This book had me HOOKED and I finished it in a week (which is a record for me these days)!!
I was completely infuriated with Juniper throughout the book, ... READ MORE
Faultless
I’m obsessed with this book. OBSESSED. The writing, the plot, the protagonist - absolutely everything about it. This is a work of art. The writing isn’t pr... READ MORE
Well-written characters and plot, with a healthy dosage of political commentary. What more do you need?
Kuang uses Yellowface to tell a haunting tale of the solitude and racism found within the publishing industry. With complex characters, controversies and g... READ MORE
Gripping till it isnt
I was fascinated by this book, it started slow but I was soon immersed in the world of writers and relationships. I loved the obvious storyline as it appea... READ MORE
A modern classic? I think so!
I’m always reluctant to describe a book as a modern classic, but with Yellow-face Rebecca Kuang has definitely earned that moniker. Yellow-face is, at its ... READ MORE
Not sure what all the hype is about
Really tried to like this book but it's so slow paced, full of really boring detailed descriptions and nothing really happens ...
clever and thought-provoking, polarising and often darkly funny.
“People always describe jealousy as this sharp, green, venomous thing. Unfounded, vinegary, mean-spirited. But I’ve found that jealousy, to writers, feels ... READ MORE
What would you do?
I really wasn't sure what to expect from the short synopsis on this book but that also made me incredibly curious and so I had to read it to find out and I... READ MORE
some interesting insights into publishing
I feel really undecided about this book, looking at the reviews it's obviously very popular, but I found it difficult to warm to. I found the discussions o... READ MORE
Tense & Thrilling
Woww! I can only say wow once I finish reading this book. So, this is what the book industry looks like. This is how some writers feel about other writers.... READ MORE
Utterly compelling & scarily funny
A scathing and absolutely savage read. 'Yellowface' explores issues of jealousy, race, 'wokism', toxic behaviour on social media, and paranoia in an utterl... READ MORE
An endlessly layered, thought-provoking and prodigious book from one of the best voices of our generation so far
Yellowface quickly became one of my favourite reads of the year so far. This is just fantastic work from an author I full heartedly pledge allegiance to.
... READ MORE
Had potential but didn't go all the way.
I really enjoyed the premise of Yellow face but the ending fell pretty short for me. A big twist or some shocking reveal was hinted but never fully deliver... READ MORE
I must be the only one…
Who wasn’t blown away. Found it a little slow and self-indulgent. It was interesting but not intriguing enough for me, as I wasn’t drawn to the main charac... READ MORE
fantastic
I inhaled this book in 72 hours, twists, turns, thought provoking questions around the culture we live in.
A true masterpiece
This book is absolutely incredible, a masterpiece! I loved hating the protagonist, liking, disliking, and then loving characters again, wanting to shake Ju... READ MORE
I couldn't have loved to hate June any more!
A story so masterfully woven, so enticing and yet so deeply embedded in our modern world that once could easily believe the main character is a real person... READ MORE
Dark and gritty yet funny too
June Hayward is desperate for success as an author. Since her bookish childhood years, success as an author is all she's wanted. The problem is she's a med... READ MORE
Brilliant and Nuanced
This latest novel by Kuang is BRILLIANT.
She touches on important and interesting points dealing with racism, diversity, inclusivity and cultural appropr... READ MORE
Devoured it a sitting
Never I loved a book yet hated it’s main character until I read this book. I definitely didn’t want Juniper to succeed. To be honest none of the characters... READ MORE
you should read this
As the title of this review says, you should read it. it was so good. I would recommend going into it with an open mind. I do not agree with the assigned g... READ MORE
My most unputdownable book of 2023
I cannot thank Netgalley and HarperCollins Australia enough for allowing me to read an eARC copy of this book. After how much I enjoyed Babel: An Arcane Hi... READ MORE
Incredible
This book was added to my TBR when I heard about it on a podcast earlier in the year as it sounded like such a fascinating premise. It didn’t disappoint.
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Plagiarism or not, that is the question
Junie and Athena (late twenties) were just hanging out when Athena choked on pancake and died; and Junie stole the first draft manuscript of her latest boo... READ MORE
Yellowface
Yellowface by Rebecca F Kuang is a novel about an author (June) who, after her friends (Athena) death, decides to steal her unpublished manuscript and gets... READ MORE
A lot of wasted potential
No doubt this is a book easy and fluent to read, page after page, because it is written very well. However, if it was supposed to be a thriller, it lacks c... READ MORE
Struggled with this one…
The hype belies what was, for me, a boring read. Twists and turns could be seen coming - perhaps the point? The plot was thin, the characters largely unlik... READ MORE
Well written and enjoyable to read
I found this book very enjoyable. The story is at the right pace and very engaging. I enjoyed reading it during my holiday. It reflect a lot of thing happe... READ MORE
Loved And Hated In Equal Measures.
I loved the start and hated the end. The bits in the middle were all much of a muchness. I really liked the insight into the publishing world. I also li... READ MORE
A great book with an undeveloped ending.
This book had me hooked pretty quickly. The writing style is a pleasure to read, and the premise of the story feels very unique. The pacing of the book is ... READ MORE
What a let down
I’d been very excited to read this and I was very disappointed. It’s predictable and lazy, the story is so linear and boring. It’s a very dull read.
Bold, Uncomfortable, and Utterly Unforgettable
R.F. Kuang’s Yellowface is an unflinching exploration of privilege, power, and the murky ethics of storytelling. Told through the sharp, unreliable voice o... READ MORE
I feel like I'm missing something
The story went on and on and on felt like it had been dragged out to reach the word count ....I kept going... having to force myself to finish incase there... READ MORE
A surprising page-turner
So, as a white guy in my 30s who usually sticks to non-fiction business books, I didn't think I'd get into "Yellowface." It’s about cultural appropriation ... READ MORE
A fantastic read.
I really enjoyed this novel. It wouldn't normally be my type of read, but I'm glad that Waterstones book group in Aylesbury chose it. The Internet can be a... READ MORE
Publishing, racism, an unlikable protaganist…
Whether or not there is any truth in the portrayal of the publishing industry as a cut-throat, backstabbing world I don’t know, but this is the main elemen... READ MORE
A gritty little page turner
Hmmm I’m kind of left a little bit stunned reading this book. Having only a synopsis and some rave reviews on it being ‘twisty’ when it was in Hardback, I ... READ MORE
Clean Slay
Just read it
A Good Read.
Having previously read ' Babel ' by R.F. Kuang, a book I really enjoyed, I was very keen to read ' Yellowface' as a comparison. In my opinion, the two book... READ MORE
Incredibly reflective and insightful
I read the Poppy War trilogy and decided I had to get my hands on everything else R F Kuang has written. Yellowface has pulled me out of my fantasy-only pr... READ MORE
Addictive
I really couldn’t put this book down. I know there’s been a lot of hype about it and I can see why.
To start with I wasn’t sure about it, but quite quickl... READ MORE
2 stars
This book was not for me at all. The plot of the book is unique and sounded greatly entertaining, yet it read very mundane. The twists were predicable and ... READ MORE
Mediocre
A bit boring, goes on and on and on. The ending feels cheap, almost as if the author ran out of ideas.
fantastic and remarkable!!
just finished reading. this is such a fantastic book i honestly don’t have any words to describe it myself - it enthralled me. from watching her frenemy pa... READ MORE
enticing and addictive
I issued this book out of curiosity however my expectations were way too low for what I experienced. I adored Kuang's approach to Athena Liu and how she wa... READ MORE
Half great half not so great
I have mixed views about this book. It started off so well, I loved learning about the world of publishing and how ruthless it could be. But unfortunately ... READ MORE
What’s the hype?
I really didn’t get this book at all I was bored, struggled to read it. Found it very uninteresting and the story line again boring. Such a shame I had hig... READ MORE
Brilliant!
I picked it up accidentally without even thinking too much and literally swallowed it within 2 days! Absolutely fantastic. Easy to read, got me hooked afte... READ MORE
Fantastic
What a great book.
Ignored author June has had a friendship of sorts with Athena since their college years. Athena is of Chinese descent, graceful, beau... READ MORE
Absolutely brilliant
This book is BRILLIANT. Wonderfully written, smart, unique and very engaging. This book approaches racism and cultural appropriation like no other. It also... READ MORE
Brilliantly Unsettling and Impossible to Put Down
Yellowface is both entertaining and deeply disturbing. R.F. Kuang masterfully explores identity, cultural appropriation, and the darker sides of the publis... READ MORE
Wow!
Yellowface by Rebecca Kuang
The story of two writers, Athena hugely successful and June not so much, and the publishing industry which by turns reveres ... READ MORE
Became repetitive, boring and predictable
Enjoyed the first 100 pages or so of the book but the plot to be easy to grasp half way through the book and author repeats herself too much. Disappointing... READ MORE
Brilliant Protagonist You Love To Hate
Yellowface is a fantastic look into the racism of the publishing industry, both passive and blatant. June, our main character, is a scheming, self righteou... READ MORE
Audacious Plot
A thrilling story about an author who finds herself tangled in a web of guilt and fame after claiming her dead friend's novel as her own. This book offers ... READ MORE