this is META. this is so good. social commentary, a ghost story and funny as fuck. add straight to the list of despicable protagonists tiktok girls love because june is completely one.
very interesting to think about this as an artist too bc really everything is slightly plagiarized, nobody will ever come up with a new chord, is a song really yours if there’s multiple writers?? perfectly explained that feeling of needing to leave a mark on the world and Not Being Able To Live A Non Creative Life. huge huge fan. literally read in two days.

A very different side of r f kuang. I’ve read all of their other books to date and love their writing.
I liked this overall premise it just isn’t my usual genre.
3.5/5 stars.
Would have liked more of a wrapped in a bow ending but that’s just my tastes.

What a fascinating and brutally scathing book about visibility, honesty and the treatment of BIPOC authors within the publishing world. It certainly opened my eyes to certain issues that I have been fortunate to not consider too deeply before, as they aren't ones that would typically affect me. It was so engaging having the book written from the thief's POV, because I was constantly at war with myself whilst reading. Being inside a characters mind, hearing all of the reasons and justifications they give themselves for their actions - it's hard to not be swayed towards their point of view. We know from the beginning that June stole Athena's manuscript, but as the book progresses she's so convincing to herself and to you as the reader that I had to keep stopping and forcing myself to remember that she was in the wrong.

As an aspiring author myself, I can say that this book has terrified me a little bit about the publishing world - the brutal and quite frankly unnecessary reviews and comments that people feel the need to leave about an author's work, never mind whether or not they are problematic, is not something I'm sure I'd be able to handle mentally, and I think it is very sad that this is now a reality due to social media. Even when I read something I think is terrible, when I write a view I never make it personal or say awful things - I politely indicate that the text was not for me.

I'm not sure how I feel about the ending. On the one hand I felt like it was perfect for the tone of the book, but something about it has left me feeling a little dissatisfied.

Regardless, this book is completely different from Kuang's usual tone, and readers should be wary of this going in. Had I not known who the author was I never would have guessed the real author, and I think this shows real range in Kuang's writing style and ability. Undoubtedly, many will criticise this book, saying it's not up to her usual standard, expecting epic works along the lines of Babel, but I love it when authors branch out and try their hand at new genres.

A completely new and different story from R.F Kuang and something unlike anything I have read before. It was full of raw emotion, cold hard facts that most people do not want to be reminded off and a true reminder of how truly relentless social media really is. The protagonist wasn’t written to be liked, she was written to get a point across and that point, to me, was that people will do anything and need to do everything to make it in the industry. There was never a moment of peace whilst reading this book and although it didn’t make for a comfortable read it did make for a very enlightening one. We live a world where everyone is fighting everyone to achieve each other’s dreams and this book highlights the extreme lengths people will go to to achieve that. I really admire what the author has done here, and although I didn’t enjoy it as much as her previous work, I’m really happy she has written it.

I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this one.. 100%. I appreciated the insight to an authors life behind the scenes. Behind the books we read and love. Its refreshing to see an author talk so openly about the dog eat dog World of publishing, and manuscripts, reviewers and struggling authors. Bringing them together so we see everything as a whole.

The characters are all pretty much unlikeable so I didn't really relate to any of them or root for any of them. I kind of think this may have been intentional almost. Their relationships were chaotic and full of dishonesty.

I found the story a bit drawn out at times and quite obvious in where is was leading which didn't leave much for the imagination however it was still a good read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishers for the chance to read this book.

It's been a couple of months since I read 'Yellowface' and I still think about it most days.
This book is the perfect satirical thriller. It deals with racism, microagressions, the performance of cancel-culture, publishing, and so much more. It's shocking and gripping and nuanced.

It is a meticulously planned car crash that keeps on spiralling, one that you can't look away from. Page after page brought another disaster, another reason to cringe at the audacity of June (the main character), and brought more anxiety as you got closer to the ending. Because it's told from first-person it is heavily unreliable, and is deep exploration of the darker side of a person's mind. All of the characters are deliciously complicated and awful (particularly June) which makes it even more fascinating to hear from her perspective

This book is incredibly fun. For someone who doesn't have twitter so only hears about booktwitter's seemingly neverending drama secondhand, getting to experience it in the form of fiction was particularly thrilling. (Though of course if the events of this book did happen irl, twitter should be getting involved in some capacity, hopefully with a better outcome).

I suppose I don't have to tell you how different this book is from Kuang's other work, because it was mentioned in many other reviews.

I personally liked this book very much. I often had to put it down and reflect on what I read. It is written in this very raw, unfiltered way that we know of Kuang. It was hard to put the book down.

In my opinion it's very brave of the author to write this story in the way she did. I don't know how much she exaggarated the issues and the different character's behaviour in this book, but I guess she encounters many of those problems in the industry. And she has to expect that at least some people identify themself with characters in this story or think that they were meant. So I really admire her for her courage.

The only thing that I didn't liked was the ending. It was repetitive and also predictable in a confusing way (I guess you see what I mean when you read it.).

Aside from all the problematic subjects that were adressed, I found it really interesting to get all those insides into the publishing industry.

I read this in 2 days, it’s very readable and I’ve not read anything like it before. It really brings to light the racism in the publishing industry and also more about how publishing works which I didn’t have much knowledge on before starting. I think this book will start many discussions and be a good book club book.

The main character is extremely unlikeable and unreliable which isn’t a bad thing but I did get a bit bored of her nonsense ramblings and the repetitiveness of her trying to justify herself and her actions in the middle section of the book.

I’m a bit confused at the genre of this book, it’s a mix of thriller and contemporary. I really enjoyed the thriller aspect of this especially when this really picked up in the last 15% of the book. I just wish this was done more throughout the full book and we were really able to see the main character become more and more unhinged with paranoia as the novel went on.

2.5 stars

In this clever, deft and excellently paced tale we discover that the 'victim' we are watching being chased down is authenticity. In the end without it, no one comes out unscathed.

In Yellowface we meet June and Athena, college friends with the same literary aspirations. With a bond formed on the basis of mutual support and understanding laced with competition, their friendship has a shadow side that leads each to make decisions with a devastating impact. n this clever, deft and excellently paced tale we discover that the 'victim' we are watching being chased down is authenticity.

June is a classic first person villain narrator, it is comfortable to dislike her. Her blindness to her own racism, her sheer lack of ability to make judgements in line with her conscience is infuriating. Yet, is uncomfortable to be with her at times, particularly when we see, beneath her hunger for fame and recognition, a once shy girl who found solace in her notebooks and stories.

This is the genius of 'Yellowface', it presents us with a thriller, not about murder of a person, but with the murder of authenticity.

I devoured 'Yellowface' in two days. This was my first book by the author - I've heard rave reviews of their other books, and I'm aware that this is a genre switch from their usual novels, but as my first experience of Kuang's writing I was blown away.

It was a rollercoaster of emotions, packed full with despicable characters and a toxic, discriminatory industry, all told by an unreliable narrator who believed she could do no wrong. This book is so unbelievably important. In an age of social media, racism, sexism and general awfulness, this book is a must-read.

This novel was sharp. Kuang did not shy away from the grittiest of material, creating a masterpiece that kept me stuck to the page, enthralled by the worst actions of humanity. This novel is an continuous train-wreck that leaves the reader horrified but unable to look away.

This book is revolutionary, and I find it hard to imagine that anyone will ever write a book like it again - I'd love to see them try.

How is it that R.F. Kuang picks a completely different genre with each book she writes, yet somehow absolutely aces the execution effortlessly? The latest addition where Rebecca has once again proven that she is in fact, not a human but rather a chameleon, is in Yellowface.

Kuang flawlessly explores the depths of the impact that Twitter and social media can have on the process of writing and publishing books. This includes the positive sides, such as marketing and publicity, but also the darkest sides such as cancel culture and systematic racism.

The story follows a failing White, American author who wrongfully steals her so called friends finished manuscript, following her untimely death. However, the manuscript was written by a Chinese author and in writing it off as her own work, June Hayward (Juniper Song) hadn’t quite contemplated the repercussions of what she did, nor how far the book community would go to make her life a living hell… But was June underestimated and if so, how far is she willing to go in order to conceal a lie?

Kuang toys with the readers emotions for the whole of this book, constantly making you doubt yourself as to which side you should support. The deeper you delve into the details, the more each party seems innocent, and you may leave siding with unexpected characters.

As this is a completely different genre to her previous works, I almost found myself forgetting the stomach emptying ‘WTF’ moments for which I adore in her writing. But just when I least expected it, Kuang punched me in the gut to remind me she’s still there! She gracefully outdoes herself with each book she writes, leaving me with a new favourite book each time I complete her works.

While it is hard to form direct comparisons between Kuang’s works, due to her varying subject matter and genres, it is delightful to watch her writing style evolve as she truly finds her literary voice; boy is it a voice she should shout to the rooftops!

I ABSOLUTELY ADORED THIS NOVEL. I couldn't wait to dive back into this book when I wasn't reading it.

Everything about it - from the narrative voice to the plot - was pitch-perfect.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for providing an eARC to review!

RF Kuang has done it again! So different to her other work in tone and content, but exploring some of the same themes about belonging and the marginalisation of diverse voices, Yellowface proves that Kuang is one of the greats of modern literature. She can do it all!!

As someone who is chronically online in the book world, I really liked how this explored how that world feels to the author, and how all-consuming it can be. Recent drama like what happened around Crawdads and Lightlark felt like a big part of my world, so it's hard to recognise that there's a much bigger world of consumers that have no interest/awareness of this sort of thing. So I liked the reminder that this group of vocal online book 'people' is not the be all and end all of the industry - but it certainly feels like it when they tank your Goodreads reviews and are all you see when you log onto social media.

Especially coming from someone like Kuang who puts out nothing but bangers, very interesting as well to see the exploration of the pressure to keep creating the next best thing, to top bestseller lists and be the talk of the town. I already was aware of some of these issues - and how the industry picks and chooses darlings and how little cancelling really does in the long run - but I really enjoyed this insight into how writing as a profession can be so isolating and competitive.

I also thought it was interesting that Kuang decided to tackle this from the perspective of the 'villain' - it made for a story that was complex but at times ridiculous. I think it did a really good job of showing that no-one was really blameless in these sorts of situations, but people can also have deeply rooted flaws that make them trash people even if they do have some sympathetic elements.

A great read for anyone interested in more of an insight into publishing and what it's like to be an author - deeply personal but with some sillier elements which make this a very enjoyable read.

CW: sexual assault, death, racism

On the whole, hugely enjoyable. A whole lot different from Rebecca’s previous work in the best way. Compulsive, tense and at times, so horrifying my stomach churned, Yellowface has all the bite of HOW TO KILL YOUR FAMILY mixed with an original concept. I hated June, I really hated her, but as things got steadily worse I found myself biting my nails, anxious about her fate and constantly fearing the consequences of discovery. Great reading for someone in this industry who can appreciate the drama!

I love books set in the literary world. Yellowface is narrated by a white American writer who is so near (by virtue of her brilliant Asian-American writer friend), yet, so far from literary stardom. Our narrator is jaded, with scathing critiques of the literary world that sound a bit like sour grapes - diversity as a publishing trend, how bestsellers are chosen, not written. Several twists and turns later, our narrator is on the verge of everything she's ever wanted but it's not all it's cracked up to be.

The book tackles interesting questions about authorship, the fickle nature of the literary world, cultural appropriation, the commodification of "exotic" cultures (even by people who are part of that culture), with wit. Sometimes the author is heavy-handed on themes/ moralising but the pacy plot makes up for it. If I have any other quibbles, it's with the ending. It didn't feel as satisfying as I'd hoped because I doubted events woukd play out how they did. Nevertheless, the more I think about it, the more at ease I am with the conclusion.

I whizzed through Yellowface - an interesting, funny (albeit cynical) book that prodded at some ugly truths lightly. It would be amusing to readers in the publishing industry, and would entertain readers more generally.

*Received an ARC for a review*

Phew. This book. Read it pretty much in one sitting on a 13-hour flight. I’m not familiar with R.F.Kuang’s work, though after reading this and hearing about Babel, I’m definitely going to go through her body of work.

As the book is not out yet, going to try to keep spoilers to a minimum, but essentially Kuang explores themes of cultural appropriation, racism, plagiarism and intellectual property in a morally ambiguous, multi-layered and eloquent way.

The pacing was tight throughout, I was hooked from the first page and led through the unraveling of the plot that pretty much careened all the way to its chaotic climactic end. Did feel the ending came to a head extremely quickly and felt rushed though.

Other reviewers have spoken about how grey June Hayward is as a character; I am less forgiving, I thought she was awful. I sympathized with her up until she sent the book to her publisher, where I raised both eyebrows, and by the second half of the novel, I lost any respect for her point of view, though my desire to have her see sense drove me to continue reading.

This book contains a lot of commentary about the way readers and writers exist and relate to each other in the 21st century, and brings up interesting ideas as well about art’s interaction with both its audience, and the social media lens it is now mediated through.

Overall, strong premise, interesting and well fleshed-out characters, solid narrative and drive throughout the book but with an ending that made me feel vaguely dissatisfied. Perhaps that’s the point though? This has stayed with me despite reading it a few weeks ago, definitely one for the “Best Books” lists.

Thanks The Borough Press and Harper Collins UK for the ARC via NetGalley!

This book was absolutely fascinating. So so interesting to see what writing a book is like from “the other side” and I could absolutely understand how Junie found herself in such an awful predicament. I could understand her jealousy, and how she justified it all to herself and how this all then spiralled out of control. It was scary to think about the consequences of cancel culture and to stop and think about what it is like to be trolled, I guess I often think of it as par for the course for those who choose to be celebrities but actually it shouldn’t be and it’s awful that people abuse others in that way. I obviously don’t want to give too much away but I really really enjoyed reading it and I thought the ending was particularly clever. I couldn’t put it down and finished it within 24 hours so if that doesn’t say it was a fabulous book I don’t know what does!

Well wow. I just inhaled 'Yellowface' in the space of 18 hours and loved the crazy twisted journey that it took me on.

Yellowface tells the story of Juniper (Junie) Song Hayward who should have been a rising literary star, only to find her prettier, more intelligent, more racially diverse friend Athena pips her to the post at every turn. June takes an unedited manuscript from Athena's apartment the night she dies and in the pages that follow, turns it into something she then passes off as her own.

I loved Kuang's depiction of the literary and publishing industry, fraught with racial tension and backbiting competition. I couldn't decide if I thought Junie was morally reprehensible or if I wanted her to succeed in her deception but that tension kept me turning pages well into the night. The social commentary of how affected writers are by platforms like Twitter and Goodreads was incisive and with friends in the industry, I know it's completely realistic. The ending was like it should be in all good novels - at least some resolution but enough questions to make you keep thinking about the characters long after the book is over.

I just feel sorry for everyone else now who will have to wait over 6 months to read this book, and also for myself that I have no one to talk to about it!

Definitely one of the most interesting books I've read this year and will look forward to heading to the bookstore to find some of Kuang's other work. Many thanks to the publisher (one of the Big Five, wink wink) and to Netgalley for an advanced release copy in exchange for an honest review.

(Rebecca, you're probably too secure in your writing talents to scroll through the 5* reviews like Juniper but if you are I hope this one gives you a little glow ;)

Never mind harry's memoir, I think this has more potential to umbalance the world of publshing

There is lots of comedy here, tonge in cheek but Im guessing there's lots thats close to the mark.

I laughed and cried and gasped a few times

Darkly funny

i am quite certain i have never read a book quite like this. r.f kuang’s yellowface is nothing like her other works except that it is also a literary masterpiece. this novel centers around the concept of identity and history. blending satirical commentary on publishing with kuang classic themes of academia, yellowface takes you on a mind blowing journey, putting you directly inside the head of a villain. it’s meta, controversial, and simply addicting. i can’t wait to see how people who have read the poppy war trilogy and babel feel about this one because i personally loved it!