If you didn’t see Yellowface by R.F. Kuang on your social media feed at least 20 times this year, are you even on bookstagram? This book has been everywhere since long before it’s release. This book was a LiteraryHype buddy read selection in July and it was so much fun to discuss with readers on Instagram.

Yellowface [Buy Bookshop Amazon] is about two writers who came up together but saw very different levels of success. June’s book kinda flopped, while Athena’s made loads of money and spawned a movie. While hanging out at Athena’s home, a freak accident claims her life right in front of June’s eyes. While waiting for help, June realizes Athena has a manuscript laying out, so she grabs it and decides to publish it herself. Chaos ensues.

This book is praised for its “biting” and “sharp” portrayals of the publishing industry. The aspects of the industry that are woven through the book are probably my favorite parts of the book, even though it’s considered satire.

I say that because both of the main characters drive me crazy. They are both elitist, arrogant, and entitled in their own ways. I couldn’t stand either of them and didn’t really want to cheer for anyone to come out on top of this story. But here’s the thing…. this wouldn’t work if they were likeable. If you did want to cheer for June to get away with stealing someone else’s work, then you’d be getting some bombastic side eye from me.

Maybe it’s just because we are in her head that I don’t like her. Seeing how she justifies keeping the story’s origins a secret is a slippery slope. Who knows what you’d do in that position… or the people around you. There is a line in this book (which my friend turned into a bookmark for me) that says, “We are all vultures” and it is true.

While this is well-written and definitely has Something To Say about diversity, racism, and cancel culture, it also wasn’t entirely enjoyable for me because June is so dang entitled and annoying. It’s a bit hard to grade because of that, but the story itself is solid. I guess Rebecca did her job a little too well on this one.

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