Audiobook Review: Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

Yellowface
by R.F. Kuang

Publication date: May 16, 2023
Publisher: Harper Audio

Summary:

Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars. But Athena’s a literary darling. June Hayward is literally nobody. Who 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 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 grapples with questions of diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation, as well as the terrifying alienation of social media. R.F. Kuang’s novel is timely, razor-sharp, and eminently compelling.

Source: Goodreads

Thoughts:

I read and loved “Babel” by R.F. Kuang earlier in the year so when I saw that “Yellowface” had been published a few months later, I knew I’d have to get my hands on a copy!

“Writing is the closest thing we have to real magic”

Covering themes of racism, xenophobia, misogyny, privilege and plagiarism, you may be surprised to hear that this isn’t a particularly heavy read but it definitely challenges you. Kuang skilfully navigates and highlights the issues that exist in the real publishing industry via her timely fictional story, leaving the reader with plenty to think about.

Athena Liu is a literary star, a renowned author with everything going for her. June Hayward is a far less successful author and next to no-one knows her name. When Athena dies in an accident, June takes it upon herself to steal Athena’s unpublished work and send it out into the world under her own name, well, a new name (Juniper Song).

Is it strange that a white woman has written a highly detailed tale about Chinese laborers during World War I? Certainly not in June’s eyes!

June receives high praise for her work and becomes a bestseller. What follows is a story that questions diversity, deep rooted racism and cultural appropriation and June faces critique and investigation.

I found it so interesting and eye-opening, whilst entertaining at the same time. I found it to be compelling, providing what I believe to be a realistic portrayal of the publishing industry. It’s funny that you can enjoy a book so much despite hating the main character. Written as satire, this book stuck with me as I read and has done ever since. I’ve told quite a few people about it to date.

With such flawed and complexed characters, and such powerful themes and commentary, Kuang challenge readers and evokes so many feelings. In my opinion, this is a masterpiece, and I’d definitely recommend it.

Overall rating: Another fantastic book by R.F Kuang, I really enjoyed “Yellowface” and will be recommending it to all – 5 stars!

Thanks for reading! What did you think of this book? Or if you haven’t read it, would you like to? Drop me a comment and say hello!

See my other reviews of books by R.F. Kuang here: