Yellowface (by R. F. Kuang)
You know when a book comes out, and it seems like EVERYONE is reading it, except you? But, you don’t read it because EVERYONE else is reading it. Then, you finally give in because EVERYONE loves it, and you want to see for yourself what’s so great about it. Yep, that’s me and Yellowface by R. F. Kuang. (And another book I presently have on hold with my local library.)
For the longest time, I had no intentions of reading Yellowface. After seeing people read and love this book for about six months, I decided I would see what all the hype was about. I put the audiobook on hold with my local library and waited another eight months for my chance. I enjoyed this story and am glad I read it. If I hadn’t read it, I think I would have been okay, too. That says way more about me than this book. I seldom read a book solely because of its hype. I enjoy plenty of popular books; however, considering I wasn’t interested in this book based on the description when I first learned about it, it’s not a book that I’m going to love. But, it’s all good. I finished it, and it was enjoyable.
June Hayward and Athena Liu are friends (sort of) from college and embark on the literary world simultaneously. Athena is having all the success with a great book and Netflix deal, while June’s debut novel wasn’t exactly memorable. June is present when Athena dies in a very unusual manner and decides to steal the novel Athena just finished drafting. Once June starts down the path of passing off Athena’s work as her own, it’s a downward spiral she can’t rewind.
June was a character I didn’t hate, but I also didn’t like her either. Well, I actually found her likable and caught myself occasionally rooting for her until I reminded myself she was a thief. I don’t want to like someone who stole another person’s intellectual property moments after their tragic death! As the story progressed, so did June’s lunacy. This woman does not stop scheming and manipulating!
It was interesting to learn about the publishing industry. I learned a lot about the roles of the agent, publisher, and editor. It takes a village to get a book onto bookshelves! The story was intriguing and suspenseful. The dynamics of race, diversity, and social media were extremely important to the context of this book. Narration by Helen Laser was wonderful. I borrowed the audiobook of from my local library with the Libby app.
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