A review by amshu
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

adventurous challenging tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

 personally, i really flew through this book. so much of it feeds into this inability to turn our heads away from a car crash and overall, it'd be hard to admit that the book wasn't masterfully done. particularly, just the way she seamlessly weaves in elements of june's microaggressions or vitriol is just brilliant.
however, i can see the other side of the perspective with people saying it leans too heavy into the self-insert/meta elements to the point of exhaustion (though one could argue that's the point) and alternatively, it could be argued that the book offers little critical insight into the machinations of the publishing industry beyond twitter drama. again, one could point out that the book is meant to be simple enough so as to prompt discourse among the audience but yet, something falls flat