Book Details


Author R. F. Kuang
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Published	May 16, 2023
ISBN	9780008532789
Pages	336

Genre:

Fiction, Contemporary, Literary Fiction, Thriller, Mystery

Story Setting:

Washington, D.C.

What To Expect:

Satire, Modern-day publishing industry, social media chaos

Readability:

Fast-Paced, Razor-Sharp

Book Review

The Story of a Thief in the World of Words

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang is an unrelenting, often uncomfortable look into the publishing industry. It tells about June Hayward, a struggling Asian American writer in the publishing industry who, after witnessing the sudden death of her more successful friend, Athena Liu, decides to steal Athena’s manuscript and release it as her own. What comes to light is a gripping, satirical exploration of plagiarism, racial politics, and the inexorable pressures of social media.

June rebrands herself as Juniper Song and publishes Athena’s novel about Chinese laborers during World War I. While the public sees her rise as a triumph, June grapples with the overwhelming weight of her deceit and the moral implications of stealing a story that wasn’t hers to tell. But, for a while, fame and recognition keep her going until the shadows of her theft and Athena’s memory start closing in on her.

Character Analysis: June’s Spiral Into Madness

The excellence of Yellowface lies not in showing June in a negative shade, but in showing her reality. Kuang portrays June as more than just a thief; she’s a personification of self-delusion, entitlement, and the extremes people will go to validate their actions when they feel unseen. June’s desperation to be seen, to be successful, is relatable—even as we watch her make increasingly immoral choices.

June is hard to like. But what makes her such a captivating character is that she isn’t some snake in the grass. She’s insecure, drowning in self-pity, and all too human. Her actions are driven by a warped sense of righteousness, a belief that she deserves to be in the spotlight, that Athena’s success was somehow keeping her down. The more we watch her unravel, the more it’s clear that she believes she is the victim here—a sentiment that hits apprehensively close to real-world issues of entitlement and privilege.

Athena, though dead for most of the book, casts a long shadow of intrigue. Her posthumous role is fascinating because we only see her through June’s blurred vision. Athena isn’t a squeaky clean; Kuang makes sure of that. She’s as flawed as June, but their complex, toxic friendship adds depth to the story, illustrating how even in death, June is constantly eclipsed by Athena.

Kuang’s Masterful Satire of Publishing

Kuang’s writing is bitingly bemusing, making Yellowface a perturbing read. The satire is spot on, particularly when holding up the mirror to the industry’s obsession with diversity as a mere marketing tactic. The book brilliantly exposes how white authors like June can exploit “diverse” stories for their selfish gains while peripheral voices are either squeezed into a mold or erased altogether.

The pacing is fast, pulling you into June’s increasingly frantic attempt to hold onto her tainted glory. Kuang uses social media brilliantly, showing how online platforms fan the flames of controversy and turn private missteps into public spectacles. The novel feels very new, particularly in its depiction of internet trolls, performative activism, and the ever-present outrage cycle on Twitter.

A Frenzied, Frightening Reflection of Modern Realities

There were several points during Yellowface where I had to put the book down, relax, and let go. Watching June spiral into paranoia, constantly refreshing her Twitter feed to see what people were saying about her, felt disturbingly realistic. It’s like being stuck in a nightmare where you can’t wake up, where each bad decision is like a snowball effect.

At times, the satire feels almost too sharp—like Kuang is holding up a mirror that shows not only June’s distorted reflections but our own complicity in these systems of power. It’s enraging and uncomfortable in the best way. Kuang doesn’t just criticize; she challenges the reader to reflect on how they, too, participate in these narratives, even if passively.

Final Thoughts

Yellowface is a book that is too intense. It’s not just about plagiarism; it’s about power, identity, and how the stories we tell (and who tells them) matter. Kuang has written something that feels like a harsh reality check, lifting the veil in both the publishing industry and our broader cultural conversations about race and representation.

This novel is fast-paced, sharp-tongued, and incredibly insightful, but it may not be for everyone. If you’re looking for a light, comforting read, this isn’t it. However, if you want a novel that will make you think, question, and possibly cringe at the world we live in, then Yellowface is a must-read.