Step into the literary ring and prepare yourself for a no-holds-barred showdown with R.F. Kuang’s Yellow Face. Like a literary pugilist with brass knuckles, Kuang delivers a series of haymakers to racial stereotypes and cultural expectations. This unapologetic punch to the gut challenges readers to confront their own biases while leaving them breathless and craving for more.

The plot resolves around June who, after the death of her friend and way-too-successful-author, Athena, decides to steal her friend’s book and gets it published. In the spirit of literary rebellion, the author boldly blurs the lines between reality and fiction. The narrative dances between fact and fantasy, weaving a tale that is as much a commentary on identity as it is a masterclass in narrative manipulation. With a sly wink and a nod, Kuang takes aim at the clichéd tropes that have plagued Asian representation in media, exposing their hollow foundations with surgical precision.

Personnally, I could not root for any of the characters but maybe that’s exactly the point. To show us how unlikeable human beings can be in these situations.

Through the eyes of the protagonist, we embark on a rollercoaster ride of self-discovery, where the line between performance and authenticity is constantly blurred. Kuang is an unrelenting provocateur, fearlessly exploring the complexities of race, culture, and belonging. The book embraces the grotesque, stripping away the veneer of political correctness to reveal the ugly truths that lurk beneath the surface.

This novel challenges the very notion of authenticity. The author unveils the masks we all wear, whether by choice or imposition. Like a cultural exorcist, the plot exerts a searing force that dislodges our preconceived notions and forces us to confront the uncomfortable truths that lie beneath our carefully constructed facades.

This isn’t a comfortable read, dear reader. Unlike her previous novel, RF Kuang isn’t afraid to venture into controversial territory. The novel boldly confronts cultural appropriation, media representation, and the dangerous allure of perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

In the end, and as an Asian woman, I recognize that Yellow Face emerges as a rallying cry for authentic representation, a manifesto that challenges us to question the narratives that society feeds us. The author’s unapologetic style demands attention. This is a book that refuses to be ignored, that plants a seed of discontent in the mind and dares it to grow.

So, dear reader, if you’re ready to step into the ring and take a few literary blows, then brace yourself for Yellow Face.

Rating: 3/5

Thank you to Harper Collins for a copy to review!