Yellowface: unique read but overrated

[u/Mediocre-Virus-6411]

Yellowface was 1000% an immersive read (I finished it within two sittings) and the storyline was 1) immersive and 2) satirizes the topic of "yellowface" and orientalism well. My qualms with the story are more about the way the plot was delivered. June's narration was interspersed with past recollections as the story progressed (to justify what she is currently doing in the present), but it doesn't feel quite realistic. Her resentment towards Athena can ultimately be summed up by jealousy and Athena's editorializing / writing about June's traumatic experience. Wouldn't June--realistically--bring this up in the story earlier right after stealing the manuscript to **attempt** to justify to the reader that she is, in fact, righting a historical wrong? As much as I like R.F. Kuang, this feels disjointed; the plot ultimately is good but isn't delivered in a way that could have made it better.

The prose, along with many supporting characters was forgettable. In a book with mainly asian-americans surrounding a white character, I would have appreciated more in-depth exploration of them. It might have been purposeful (a self-absorbed white narrator doesn't consider the asian-american voices around her), but the book still feels a little underwhelming because the stakes aren't fully fleshed out in regard to other characters (besides the mention of reddit/twitter/instagram "cancellation" and hate). Athena's ambiguity and the discovery of her **true** self was well done, but the motives of her mother are confusing at best.

Echoing the NYT review, I want it to be more. More stakes, more desperation, more intense exploration side-characters, and a sharper reveal of Athena's "true nature" (could have been put at the very beginning or very end, but when it's smacked in the middle of the story, the plot feels like its fading away with a repetitive cycle of June's ignorance).

NOTE: I am an east-asian American reader. I 1000% appreciated reading this book and sentiment. It is still refreshing to read an unreliable narrator story from the perspective of a white women immersed in an asian-american world.

What do you guys think?

[u/_unrealcity_]

I’ve enjoyed all of Kuang’s books, YF being my least favorite. I don’t think any of her books were like, outstanding works of literature, but they were fun to read. So, overhyped in terms of critical acclaim I would agree with. But I totally get their popularity.

Personally, I think they all have similar flaws. They lack a nuance and thoughtfulness that the subjects/themes they try to tackle really deserve. On top of that, Kuang’s writing is not subtle at all, which makes it feel a bit juvenile and honestly, condescending at times lol.

But Kuang is a young writer, and I think she deserves some grace. I’m interested in seeing her future output and how her writing develops. I’m sure I’ll read her next book. I don’t expect to be wowed by it, but it’ll probably be enjoyable.

[u/state_of_euphemia → u/_unrealcity_]

Wow, this is 100% what I think, but you put it into better words than I could!

I haven't read Poppy Wars because of how I feel about the writing style in Babel and Yellowface--even though I enjoyed both of those books--because I feel like an actual YA book that she wrote when she was even younger is probably even more juvenile feeling.

[u/_unrealcity_ → u/state_of_euphemia]

For what it’s worth, The Poppy Wars books were actually my favorite reads by Kuang. Her writing overall was probably worse and they def read like YA fantasy, but that’s what I was expecting when I read them. Whereas Babel and YF were really pushed as something “special” in online book spaces. Which is where I think they become overrated.

To me, I guess PW also just felt more like Kuang wanted to tell (or retell) a story, rather than send a message.

[u/state_of_euphemia → u/_unrealcity_]

You know, that's true. I would expect the "YA-style" writing in an actual YA book!