Katie Colson's Reviews > Yellowface

July 2023 ⭐️4.5
I reread this for my book club and am so glad we did a buddy read and live show. This is a book worthy of discussion. It has both blatant and nuanced themes of racism and xenophobia that might go over some reader's heads or might seem too in-your-face for others. A group discussion can help reader's recognize the realism of R.F. Kuang's literary approach and see that even if you don't relate to the content, you still have to understand that it's other people's reality.

Will you enjoy a single character? Categorically NO. But you will walk away with a greater understanding of the many failings of the publishing industry and how you might be unconsciously taking part in some of those failings.

It's eye opening. It's ballsy. It's crass. It's wild and brilliant.

I will say that the half star reduction is solely because of Candice. While her insistence upon sensitivity reader's was a good call in my opinion, her manner of calling things out and getting things done were over-dramatized to the nth degree. While I think R.F. Kuang is brilliant for having the opposing side of June also be contrarian, Candice didn't fill the spot I wanted her to in opposition to June. I know it wasn't a character to necessarily root for instead of June. But I saw June's motives and her horrible mental manipulation that she attempted to gaslight ourselves into believing were just. But Candice just felt cartoonishly villainous. Maybe that's just my view of her. Other's could read it differently.

But, overall, this is absolutely worth your time. Please read this. It is a shining gem in the 2023 literary world.

March 2023 ⭐️4.5

RF Kuang DID THAT.
This woman fears nothing and no one. What a hero.

She said "Talk about the publishing industry? How about the racism, misogyny, xenophobia, plagiarism, pretty-privilege and everything else revolting that comes along with it? You don't want to acknowledge that? Welp, too bad. Cause I'm gonna write it so well, you'll be begging to publish it."

I thought that RF Kuang was going to write about her experience with publishing through the eyes of the main character. But that's the direct opposite approach she takes. Her self-insert is actually with Athena, the main character's college friend turned renowned author.

The main character is a depiction of mild mannered racist individuals who shroud themselves in acceptance as long as it doesn't affect them and balk at the idea of racism until directly faced with equality and the loss of superiority it gives them.

This is an excellent look at how real and deep rooted racism is. It's everywhere and in everyone. It just isn't always shouting it's ideals. It's sitting still while someone else does something harmful. It's deluding yourself when you get the job over someone of color when you know you're under qualified. It's in so many small and micro ways. And it's absolutely vile to watch/read. But very eye opening in a way that I think is necessary for the publishing industry as it stands.

I so appreciate RF Kuang for writing this and continuing to be an absolute genius. Like, how does a human being's brain contain this much complexity and eloquence? I'm baffled.