Name: Yellowface
ISBN: 9780063250833

R. F. Kuang

A Novel

Yellowface

Nour

Writing is the closest thing we have to real magic. Writing is creating something out of nothing, is opening doors to other lands. Writing gives you power to shape your own world when the real one hurts too much. To stop writing would kill me. I'd never be able to walk through a bookstore without fingering the spines with longing, wondering at the lengthy editorial process that got these titles on shelves and reminiscing about my own.

smile??

Syrina

Consanguinity doesn’t translate into unique epistemological insight, that their exclusive cultural snobbishness and authenticity testing are only a form of gatekeeping

An act of translation is an act of betrayal 

Lindsay

Have you ever wondered at the mechanics of popularization?

Asians were silently suffering because they did not exist as a voting category to white American politicians.

Bethany Jenkins

“It appears the alt-right cares a lot about due process, but only when the accused has done something like sexual asault or racially motivated plagiarism.”

Who has the right to write about suffering?

Every time I see Tom, I wonder what it would be like to go through life with the easy contentment of a rock.

…which argued essentially that no one in the current wave of Chinese American novelists was producing anything of value, because none of them had lived through things like tha Tianannmen Square massacre or the Cultural Revolution, and the spoiled Bay Area kids who couldn't even speak Mandarin and who thought that Asian identification boiled down to being annoyingly obsessed with bubble tea and BTS were diluting the radical force of the diaspora canon. 

Emiley Jones

But now, I see, author efforts have nothing to do with a book's success. Bestsellers are chosen. Nothing you do matters. You just get to enjoy the perks along the way.

— was not a real Marxist; she was a champagne socialist at best.

I used to think that mean teachers were a special kind of monster, but it turns out that cruelty comes naturally. Also, it's fun.

They're more like a smorgasbord of creative churning, half-formed doors to other worlds, worlds in which I lingered for hours when I didn't want to be in my own.

It's like pressing a bleeding sore repeatedly, trying to see how far you can go with your tolerance for pain, because if you know the limits of it, you gain some sense of control over it.

Jenna

We owe nothing to the dead. Especially when the dead are thieves and liars too.

I know it was obvious that she was going to steal the manuscript but my jaw still dropped 

Alli

Meanwhile, in my bag, tossed at the floor of my bed, Athena's manuscript sits like a hot sack of coals.

This whole section about the social media discourse… whew 😵‍💫

June’s inability to take any criticism or to self-reflect in any capacity…. I think R. F. Kuang has managed to write the most infuriating, yet compelling character/plot combo. 

I am innocent in the court of public opinion. And at least for now, Athena's ghost has been banished.

I audibly laughed. This is a crazy line from someone who has been so unable to “create from nothing” that she stole from her dead ‘friend’ TWICE. 

But I can’t quit the one thing that gives meaning to my life. Writing is the closest thing we have to real magic. Writing is creating something out of nothing, is opening doors to other lands. 

I felt, as Kanye put it, harder, better, faster, and stronger. I felt like the kind of person who now listened to Kanye.

THE BEST WAY TO HIDE A LIE IS IN PLAIN SIGHT.

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.

Glad I waited to read this until after the hype had died down. I liked it more than I thought I would.

Emma Cragg

i hated juniper so much i had to put the book down several times just to seethe lmao but i had such a fun time w this book rf kuang ilysm

a ♡

couldn't put this down, insanely good writing

Germaine Lee

June Hayward dan Athena Liu sama-sama penulis. Athena, keturunan Asia, ternyata lebih ngetop. Sementara June berpendapat tak ada yang akan tertarik pada karyanya, gadis kulit putih biasa. Ketika Athena mendadak meninggal, June mencuri manuskrip Athena lalu menyerahkannya sebagai karyanya. Penerbit membuatkan citra baru bagi June, lengkap dengan foto yang ambigu mengenai etnik dirinya. Di luar dugaan, buku itu sukses besar. Namun, June tidak bisa lolos dari bayangan Athena, dan bukti-bukti bermunculan, mengancam kesuksesan June. Saat berpacu untuk menutupi rahasianya, June jadi tahu seberapa jauh ia berani bertindak untuk mempertahankan apa yang menurutnya layak ia dapatkan.

Inside the head of a compulsive delusional person who keeps justifying her actions to herself until she starts to believe her own story. She is a survivor though and learns the ways of the publishing industry. But, she plays victim all the time. Interesting way of writing, great pacing and it draws you in. Absolute banger!

Smitha

What's the harm in a pseudonym? 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 the #1 New York Times bestselling author 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.

by R.F. Kuang is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that left me thoroughly captivated. With its intriguing plot and profound exploration of identity, this book easily earns a solid five-star rating.

The plot is masterfully crafted and lures readers into a world filled with intrigue and complex relationships. Kuang skillfully weaves together a story that delves deep into the complexities of cultural and racial identity and the struggles faced by its characters. I was engrossed in the twists and turns that propelled the story forward from start to finish.

In conclusion, "Yellowface" is a remarkable novel that stands out for its compelling plot and insightful exploration of identity. R.F. Kuang's skillful storytelling. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a thought-provoking and enthralling story that challenges conventions and sparks meaningful conversations.

Tali ⋆.˚🦋༘⋆

Rating: ★★★★★

"Yellowface" by R.F. Kuang is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that left me thoroughly captivated. With its intriguing plot and profound exploration of identity, this book easily earns a solid five-star rating.

Wonderfully Crafted Plot

The plot is masterfully crafted and lures readers into a world filled with intrigue and complex relationships. Kuang skillfully weaves together a story that delves deep into the complexities of cultural and racial identity and the struggles faced by its characters. I was engrossed in the twists and turns that propelled the story forward from start to finish.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Yellowface" is a remarkable novel that stands out for its compelling plot and insightful exploration of identity. R.F. Kuang's skillful storytelling. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a thought-provoking and enthralling story that challenges conventions and sparks meaningful conversations.

At this point, I want to see what's inside R.F. Kuang's mind. Another page-turner book from her, but I'm giving it 3 stars due to the second-hand embarrassment I felt while reading 🤭

No character development from the main character at all.  June Hayward is such a delusional and narcissist.

Kath

At this point, I want to see what's inside R.F. Kuang's mind. Another page-turner book from her, but I'm giving it 3 stars due to the second-hand embarrassment I felt while reading 🤭

No character development from the main character at all.  June Hayward is such a delusional and narcissist.

Gives a great insight to the publishing world for aspiring writers/novelists. For the story it self, it lacks a gripping power to hold the reader. The main reedeming quality of the book is the relatable protagonist.

hardly ever

This was such a shocking read. I had seen it around social media but it took me by surprise about what it was actually about. It was such an honest and bold writing that im still stunned. The .5 I took off was because the main character is so well written that I genuinely hated her. Can't wait to read more of her works! 

Tsu 💙

a great insight into the racially-driven rat race of the writing industry. written with intentional deadpan humour, kuang does an impressive job in keeping the reader's attention through the perspective of an exploitative white woman.

one small notable thing though, book started off amazing but mellowed out towards the end eventually.

aemouh

a great insight into the racially-driven rat race of the writing industry. written with intentional deadpan humour, kuang does an impressive job in keeping the reader's attention through the perspective of an exploitative white woman.
one small notable thing though, book started off amazing but mellowed out towards the end eventually.

Finally got to this book and understand the acclaim and buzz around it since it was published. By inviting readers to perceive the narrator as insufferable, we’re made to confront the question of right and wrong, and the irony of capitalism in the publishing industry. Two wrongs don’t make a right, and I appreciated how the author cleverly flipped the ending around to show the hypocritical nature of profiting off unfortunate situations. Overall, 10/10 insufferable narrator, 11/10 cleverly written.

Xi Hui Teo

The new book from the no. 1 New York Times and no. 2 Sunday Times bestselling author R.F. Kuang One of TIME's most anticipated books of 2023 'Razor-sharp' TIME Athena Liu is a literary darling. Juniper Hayward is literally nobody. White lies When Athena dies in a freak accident, Juniper steals her unpublished manuscript and publishes it as her own under the ambiguous name June Song. Dark humour But as evidence threatens Juniper's stolen success, she will discover exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves. Deadly consequences... What happens next is entirely everyone else's fault.

I have never hated a main character more this book but reading the train wreck that unfolded was honestly one of the most enjoyable reads I have had in a very long time. 

The absolute cringe and utter disbelief at the actions of June made this such a compelling read and the lives of all the characters around her just drew you in. 

Jasmine Lawrence

I have never hated a main character more this book but reading the train wreck that unfolded was honestly one of the most enjoyable reads I have had in a very long time. 

The absolute cringe and utter disbelief at the actions of June made this such a compelling read and the lives of all the characters around her just drew you in. 

 as a “zippy, ridiculous thriller meant to imitate the roiling schadenfreude of watching a twitter meltdown” which sums it up pretty well

- the biggest jump away from kuang's other works, more snappy and stressful, like a social media car chase instead of the academic / cultural meltdowns you find in her other books

- i inhaled this in maybe 2-3 sittings worth of reading and that's how this really should be read (ideally even less)

- kuang herself describes yellowface as a “zippy, ridiculous thriller meant to imitate the roiling schadenfreude of watching a twitter meltdown” which sums it up pretty well

- the biggest jump away from kuang's other works, more snappy and stressful, like a social media car chase instead of the academic / cultural meltdowns you find in her other books

- i inhaled this in maybe 2-3 sittings worth of reading and that's how this really should be read (ideally even less)

Lili

even if the protagonist pissed me off, i finished this really fast. great read! :) 

Interesting story, compulsively readable, well written. I did hate the main character, how much I had to live in her head, and had extreme second hand anxiety, which is the point, but brought my experience of a good book down enough for 3 stars. Would still recommend as a study of literary rivalry and the weaponization/self-justification of racism.

Emily McMeans

if it werent for those damn pandan pancakes!!

sofia mae

Excruciating. Hated every character? Kind of boring? Do not get the hype on this at all.

Milly Schmidt

Confused in between giving this book 3.5/4 stars, but here you go my not-so long review. 

Ini pertama kalinya aku membaca buku karya R. F. Kuang dan sejauh yang aku pikir, narasinya sangat mudah dipahami. Namun di beberapa bagian masih sedikit terasa membosankan. Ntah mungkin aku yang tidak sabar saat membacanya atau barangkali kalimatnya sedikit bertele-tele. 

Yellowface berhasil membuat aku merasa marah dan jijik melalui pemikiran dan isi hati Juniper Song. She successfully made me felt so annoyed like hell. Karakter wanita berkulit putih dengan penggambaran dirinya terlihat begitu rasis, rasa cemburu, iri dan dengkinya pada satu-satunya sahabat yang ia punya, sukses membuat diriku ingin menampar June.

Di sisi lain, yang menarik dari cerita ini adalah R. F. Kuang berhasil menggambarkan bagaimana situasi di dunia penerbitan. Penulis yang haus akan popularitas, persaingan sehat hingga tidak sehat, sikut-menyikut untuk merebutkan posisi bestseller sepanjang masa. Juga tekanan dari sosial media yang menuntut para penulis mengikuti ekspektasi pembaca. The pressure is definitely pressuring.

Ending buku ini nggak terlalu masuk ke aku tapi karena aku pikir ini seperti never-ending jadi yah.. Masih sedikit memuaskan. 

The book isn't really good, but it's not that bad too. Kalau mau mencari buku tentang dunia penerbitan dan ingin tau bagaimana posisi menjadi seorang penulis, buku ini sangat oke untuk dibaca! 

Lelyanna

Confused in between giving this book 3.5/4 stars, but here you go my not-so long review. 

Ini pertama kalinya aku membaca buku karya R. F. Kuang dan sejauh yang aku pikir, narasinya sangat mudah dipahami. Namun di beberapa bagian masih sedikit terasa membosankan. Ntah mungkin aku yang tidak sabar saat membacanya atau barangkali kalimatnya sedikit bertele-tele. 

Yellowface berhasil membuat aku merasa marah dan jijik melalui pemikiran dan isi hati Juniper Song. She successfully made me felt so annoyed like hell. Karakter wanita berkulit putih dengan penggambaran dirinya terlihat begitu rasis, rasa cemburu, iri dan dengkinya pada satu-satunya sahabat yang ia punya, sukses membuat diriku ingin menampar June.

Di sisi lain, yang menarik dari cerita ini adalah R. F. Kuang berhasil menggambarkan bagaimana situasi di dunia penerbitan. Penulis yang haus akan popularitas, persaingan sehat hingga tidak sehat, sikut-menyikut untuk merebutkan posisi bestseller sepanjang masa. Juga tekanan dari sosial media yang menuntut para penulis mengikuti ekspektasi pembaca. The pressure is definitely pressuring.

Ending buku ini nggak terlalu masuk ke aku tapi karena aku pikir ini seperti never-ending jadi yah.. Masih sedikit memuaskan. 

The book isn't really good, but it's not that bad too. Kalau mau mencari buku tentang dunia penerbitan dan ingin tau bagaimana posisi menjadi seorang penulis, buku ini sangat oke untuk dibaca! 

A very intense look at ambition, human psychology, friendship, trauma and grief, the world of publishing, and life as an artist in capitalism. 

You both identify with and hate the main character as she’s a victim and a villain. Kuang really ripped my mind apart with this one. 😮‍💨

Liv Wukasch

A very intense look at ambition, human psychology, friendship, trauma and grief, the world of publishing, and life as an artist in capitalism. 

You both identify with and hate the main character as she’s a victim and a villain. Kuang really ripped my mind apart with this one. 😮‍💨

Mindf*ck of a book, it was so good even though you knew it was wrong and you were rooting for June’s downfall the whole time. 

soph 

what an interesting read! kuang’s writing made me feel rage often throughout this book, and that’s how i know it’s been well written. she took the perspective of someone’s envy and loneliness and how that envy cut SO deep for juniper.

we want to root for june at the beginning with her narratives, but by the end, i was just shocked at how willing she was to keep doubling down on her actions, decisions, and behavior. her envy tied with her racism was deeply rooted in her. she genuinely did not understand how her white privilege made her successful after stealing an asian author’s work. it was baffling.

i was hooked and this book made me feel things. and even by the end, june still couldn’t recognize her wrongdoings. it was like her guilt ate her alive yet she was still trying to justify her actions. 

Tara Bounkeovisane

what an interesting read! kuang’s writing made me feel rage often throughout this book, and that’s how i know it’s been well written. she took the perspective of someone’s envy and loneliness and how that envy cut SO deep for juniper.

we want to root for june at the beginning with her narratives, but by the end, i was just shocked at how willing she was to keep doubling down on her actions, decisions, and behavior. her envy tied with her racism was deeply rooted in her. she genuinely did not understand how her white privilege made her successful after stealing an asian author’s work. it was baffling.

i was hooked and this book made me feel things. and even by the end, june still couldn’t recognize her wrongdoings. it was like her guilt ate her alive yet she was still trying to justify her actions. 

Enjoyed sinking my teeth into this one, with an interesting protagonist and storyline. Predictable ending but a fun and thought provoking story nonetheless! 

Melodie

I honestly don't like all the characters, but the plot is interesting. Idk how to say it, but this book is too much for me(?) I expected more from this book. I mean.. I guess it's not my cup of tea lol. However, I gotta admit that it's such a page-turner and I lowkey enjoying it.

I've never wanted out of someone's head so badly but I couldn't put it down

Yellowface A Novel