A Review of R.F. Kuang’s “Yellowface”
A book with a promising premise yet unfulfilled potential
As someone who devours books every now and then, R.F. Kuang’s “Yellowface” left me feeling oddly unsatisfied. Don’t get me wrong, the premise of the novel excited me a lot. A white author is stealing a manuscript from a deceased Asian American writer, and achieving success with a fake identity is undeniably explosive. I spent no time grabbing the book that tackled cultural appropriation in the publishing industry.
But the spark fizzled out when I was just into 70 pages. June Hayward, the protagonist, became increasingly frustrating. Her insecurities felt whiny and repetitive, and her justifications were hollow. I wanted and expected a bit more from the character. Her journey of self-discovery was as exciting as watching the paint dry.
I wanted some more complexity within her. Was there any remorse? A flicker of empathy for the friend she betrayed? Instead, June remained a one-dimensional character, and that’s the reason the plot felt flat and predictable to me. There were no major twists and turn, no surprises, we just ended up guessing and ended up disappointed with how straight the novel was.
Perhaps the most disappointing aspect was the satire. Kuang’s attempt to skewer the publishing industry felt like whacking a piñata with a sledgehammer. The exaggeration bordered on the absurd, leaving me feeling like the target audience wasn’t the industry itself but a group of unsuspecting bystanders.
I understand the importance of Kuang’s message. Cultural appropriation is a serious issue, and the exploitation of minority voices deserves to be called out. But “Yellowface” felt more like a lecture than a conversation. The heavy-handed approach left me feeling talked down to, rather than engaged.
Maybe, with a different approach, “Yellowface” could have been a powerful commentary. Imagine if June wasn’t a caricature but a character wrestling with guilt and self-loathing. Imagine a plot that unfolded with genuine tension, keeping the reader guessing. Imagine satire that was sharp and witty, making its point without resorting to crude exaggerations.
Instead, “Yellowface” ended up being a missed opportunity. A story with the potential to spark important conversations ultimately left me feeling like I’d just finished a bland meal—full but unsatisfied.
I gave this book 2/5 on the basis of its writing, plots, characters, and impact.
