Yellowface: A Searing Spotlight on Publishing & Book Clubs Love It! Review & Guide
Get this book review and book club guide for Yellowface, R. F. Kuang’s bitingly satirical novel that skewers the publishing world. Find out why book clubs are devouring every word of this novel!
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Juniper Song is not (technically) the author of the blockbuster new book that bears her name.
She’s not (technically) trying to pass herself off as Asian-American:
- Juniper Song is her name (technically), though the world has always known her as June Hayward.
- She (technically) just looks really tan in her author photo, not Asian.
- It’s (technically) not her fault everyone makes their own assumptions.
- And (technically) she’s certainly not a thief. Well, not according to her account of how events unfolded…
This post provides everything you need for a great book club meeting. But if you really want to take your fun off the page, make sure you grab the done-for-you Yellowface Book Club Kit!
But First…Is Yellowface a Book for You?
Just the facts.
Take Note: Points to Consider Before Reading Yellowface.
Some readers know the type of books they always like, and more importantly, exactly the type of books they don’t enjoy. If you are that reader, these tidbits will be helpful.
SATIRE: One of literature’s oldest genres, satire uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize something or someone’s foolishness or vices. In Yellowface, R. F. Kuang is pointing her satirical sword straight at the heart of the publishing industry and its varied moving parts. As the reader, you are not likely to make many friends in this novel, but you will get an insightful look at the not-always-pleasant machinations of the book world!
You might like Yellowface if…
Recommendations for “similar reads” can be tricky because different readers like different books for different reasons. However, you may appreciate Yellowface if you enjoyed:
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Get these additional free discussion questions that reveal all the juicy spoilers I can’t spill here — you’re gonna want them!
Yellowface: The Story’s (Back) Story
In an interview with the LA Times, R. F. Kuang said that the idea for this book “plopped fully formed into her head” one morning in 2021. Trying to reframe itself in light of recent scandals, particularly around marginalized authors and cultural appropriation, the publishing world was having lots of conversations, making many promises, but not producing any real change. Her cynicism resulted in the book you now hold in your hand.
According to Kuang, Yellowface was based on actual events in the book world, and the number of real-life “Junes” (and their actions!) far exceed what we see in the book. Rather horrifying, isn’t it?
Oh, and that cover — the way it made you feel a bit uneasy with its stereotypical slanted eyes and bold yellow — yes, that was on purpose. As was everything else in the novel that made you squirm. Kuang knew exactly what she was doing!
I appreciated the way Kuang tackled so many issues in this book:
Now…Was Yellowface For Me?
R. F. Kuang lands one searing blow after another in this biting satire aimed squarely at the publishing industry. Everything is fair game: racism in publishing, who is allowed to tell which stories, cancel culture, and of course, Book Twitter (or do we have to call it “Book X” now that “Twitter” no longer exists??).
As I mentioned earlier, I am not a fan of books with no likable characters — I mean, if I’m investing that much of my time, I want to walk away with at least one friend, am I right? I almost passed on this book for that simple reason.
However…
Kuang pulled off a brilliant hat trick: she made you (almost) want to see the bad-girl protagonist win. Almost, but not quite. And she made a darkly humorous and entertaining story out of some most certainly non-humorous actual shenanigans. The peek behind the publishing curtain may just change the way I choose some of my future reads!
So all in all, Yellowface may not be my favorite book ever, but yes, I am very glad I read it!
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Book Club Discussion Questions for Yellowface
“I am ethically troubled that I can only tell this story because my parents and grandparents lived through it. And sometimes it does feel that I’m exploiting that pain for my profit.”
Athena, Yellowface
- An essential element of a good story is conflict — often the tougher the pain, the better the story. But what are the ethical implications for writing a book about someone else’s very real horrible experience with the express hope of publishing a book and making money? Does it make a difference if you have that person’s permission, or is it still “profiting off of someone else’s pain”?
- Have you ever thought about how the publishing industry works regarding the authors they choose to publish? Specifically, do think factors such as an author’s racial or religious diversity, physical characteristics, education, sexual orientation, etc., play as much of a role in getting their work published as their writing craft does?
- Before reading this book, how aware were you of the various inequities in the industry? Do you think it is fair to say that there is reverse racism in publishing?
- June says for writers, jealousy is more like fear – not being able to achieve what her fellow writers have, and that she is “not, and never will be, enough.” How do you define jealousy in your “professional” life?
- Do you think it is okay for authors to write about “non-lived experiences,” i.e., writing about the experiences of a protagonist who is different from them in race, religion, sexual orientation, neurodivergence, etc.? Does research alone and the hard work invested in writing the book give one the right to publish the story?
- “Athena Liu vs. June Hayward vs. Juniper Song.” How much power is there in a person’s name? Do you think that the sound of a person’s name affords them better initial reactions from strangers, more opportunities, or other benefits?
- This book contained many insights into publishers’ efforts to market a bestseller. Did any of it surprise you? How do you think those efforts affect the “Most Anticipated Books” of the year lists, and consequently consumer demand?
- As a follow-up to the previous question: Do very “hyped” books often disappoint you? Share which books you read that did not live up to the hype. Why do you think the book made the list of anticipated releases? Did reading Yellowface give you any insight into why the book may have received so much pre-publication fanfare?
- Talk about the cover. How did it make you feel? Why?
Have Even More Fun With Your Book Club and Yellowface!
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