‘Yellowface’ - the book of 2023
* This review does not contain spoilers
What would it be like if you stole a piece of writing from that straight A student in English class? Your grade would get that boost you’ve always wanted, but would your teacher find out about your deceiving work? Yellowface by R. F. Kuang addresses this question and gives us the answer and the experience of cheating your way through the system. In its easy to read fast paced diction you will laugh, frown, and raise your eyebrows all at once.
Yellowface was the last book I read in 2023, and it quickly became one of my favorites of the year. The critically acclaimed novel has been named the Best Book of the Year from Amazon's Books editorial team in the UK and winner of Best Fiction of 2023 for Goodreads. With glowing reviews the book investigates current social issues of cultural appropriation and analyzes the growing desires from institutions for diversity.
In its first person narration, June Hayward, the main character, struggles to have success in the cut throat world of book publishing. She is in constant competition with her friend/secret enemy, Athena Liu, who has the fame, money, and success June has always dreamed about.
When Athena dies in an accident, June secretly takes Athena’s book draft and sells it as her own work. When the book becomes a bestseller all of a sudden June’s name, which had been unheard of, is a literary sensation. However, besides her growing fame her growing secret also comes alive.
The caveat to June’s success was due to the book’s focus on Chinese labor in World War I. Though history can be told by anyone, many readers questioned and scrutinized June’s publishing of a story so touching to the Chinese population and not being Chinese herself. Though June’s success increases so does online trolling and Twitter fights over her book. So begins the main problem of the book, and I will spare you the other details to ensure you enjoy the suspense of Yellowface as much as I did.
Kuang’s construction of complex characters made me, for the first time, dislike the main character. I often wanted to keep reading and see what other arrogant things June would do to ensure my feelings for her were justified but in every chapter my opinions on her changed. The book allows for reflection on the values of the capitalist and materialistic society the world has become and what that does to an individual’s desire.
Yellowface also demands an evaluation of (enduring problems but) rather newly identified issues of cultural appropriation and why we have become enthralled with the idea of diversity across all institutions. June, a white woman, crosses the lines throughout the book with her blatant disrespect and appropriation; however, Kuang also illustrates the reasoning for June’s actions which complicate feelings and perspectives on these societal issues.
Besides this work being fiction, there is a focus on the struggles of modern day book publishing. I have always been a reader but never thought about the amount of work - besides writing - that took place before it reached the shelves of Barnes and Nobles. Kuang highlights the daily struggle authors go through to get their book to the public and exposes the reality many aspiring writers encounter when they publish material. Not only do writers face obstacles from publicists but public disapproval, a major part of the book, also demonstrates how hard it is for writers to truly be successful and supported.
You will find parts of Yellowface to be utterly satirical and fascinating for the myriad of social commentary that is embedded in the story. Though I might not have enjoyed all the characters I loved Kuang’s writing style and the way in which she captured such pressing issues. If you want a book that is suspenseful or a guaranteed good read to establish your reading goal I urge you to pick up a copy of Yellowface.
Written by Clara Milosevic
