Yellowface is a 2023 satirical novel written by R. F. Kuang. The book was described as a satire of racial diversity in the publishing industry as well as a metafiction about social media, particularly Twitter.[1][2]
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| Author | R. F. Kuang |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Fiction |
| Published | May 2023 |
| Publisher | HarperCollins |
| Pages | Harcover: 336 Paperback: 352 |
| ISBN | 9780063250833 |
Writing and development
editKuang first began conceptualizing Yellowface in 2021, amidst conversations regarding diversity and representation in the publishing industry.[3] She wrote the first draft over the course of a few months, taking inspiration from her own experiences as an Asian American author, such as being told her appeal is largely or entirely due to her being a "token" author.[4][5]
Upon reading parts of the first draft, Kuang's literary agent was at first hesitant about the project and attempted to dissuade Kuang from pursuing it further due to its content being seen as an attack on the publishing industry. At Kuang's insistence, they continued the project; it was ultimately published by HarperCollins.[4][6]
Synopsis
editJune Hayward, an unsuccessful young author, finds herself the only witness to the death of her former classmate and casual friend, Athena Liu, a Chinese-American author who is an industry darling. She decides to position herself as the best friend of the author and begins to edit and re-write Athena's latest unpublished manuscript, a novel about Chinese laborers in World War I. As she changes more and more of the draft, June begins to feel ownership over the novel and decides to publish it as her original work. June submits the manuscript and is immediately welcomed by publishers and offered a large advance. To avoid controversy, she publishes the book under an Asian-sounding name (Juniper Song, her full first name and middle name) and takes author photos where she appears racially ambiguous. Despite efforts to present herself as Asian, controversy surrounds the success of the novel, and June repeatedly fends off accusations of cultural appropriation and plagiarism on Twitter. Soon, someone threatens to spill her secrets for the world to view. What will June do now?
Critical reception
editReviews
editKirkus Reviews called the book "a quick, biting critique of the publishing industry" but commented that it sometimes lacked nuance.[7] The Guardian wrote "Kuang delivers a hugely entertaining account of a brazen literary heist."[8] The New York Times gave the book a positive but reserved review, calling it "viciously satisfying" but "on-the-nose" and overly blunt.[9] NPR reviewed Yellowface positively, called it a "well-executed, gripping, fast-paced novel."[10] The Chicago Review of Books wrote "where [Yellowface] shines is Kuang’s darkly witty tone, critiques of publishing and cultural exploitation, and the all-consuming nature of internet personas." The Washington Post gave a critical review of the novel, saying that June's character was inconsistent and lacked depth, while the novel's depictions of the publishing industry were perfunctory and relied too heavily on replicating Twitter arguments in text.[11]
Awards and honours
editIn 2023, Libro.fm named Yellowface one of the top 10 audiobooks of the year,[12] and Time included it on their list of the "100 Must-Read Books of 2023".[13] It was also named Amazon's Best Book of the Year.[14][15]
| Year | Award | Result | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Barnes & Noble Book of the Year Award | — | Shortlisted | [16] |
| Books Are My Bag Readers' Awards | — | Shortlisted | [17] | |
| Foyles Books of the Year | Fiction | Won | [18] | |
| Goodreads Choice Award | Fiction | Won | [19] | |
| Libby Book Award | Book Club Pick | Won | [20] | |
| New England Book Award | Fiction | Won | [21] | |
| Waterstones Book of the Year | — | Shortlisted | [22] | |
| 2024 | Aspen Words Literary Prize | — | Longlisted | [23] |
| Audie Award | Fiction | Shortlisted | [24] | |
| British Book Award | Fiction | Won | [25][26][27] | |
References
edit- ^ Zimmerman, Haley (May 17, 2023). "R.F. Kuang satirizes the publishing industry in new novel 'Yellowface'". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ Saleh, Reema (May 19, 2023). "The Specters of "Yellowface"". Chicago Review of Books. Archived from the original on July 27, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
- ^ Li, Helen (May 15, 2023). "How R. F. Kuang turned every recent book scandal into the satirical thriller 'Yellowface'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ a b Alter, Alexandra (May 12, 2023). "She Wrote a Blistering Satire About Publishing. The Publishing Industry Loves It". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ Jones, C. T. (May 17, 2023). "R.F. Kuang Is Not Your 'Cultural Tour Guide.' She's a Storyteller". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ Bayley, Sian (April 19, 2023). "HarperCollins signs two titles from Babel and Yellowface star Kuang". The Bookseller. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ "YELLOWFACE". Kirkus Reviews. March 15, 2023. Archived from the original on July 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ Cummins, Anthony (May 21, 2023). "Yellowface by Rebecca F Kuang – a wickedly funny publishing thriller". The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 23, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ El-Mohtar, Amal (May 16, 2023). "Her Novel Became a Best Seller. The Trouble: She Didn't Write It". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 22, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ Williams, Keishel (May 15, 2023). "'Yellowface' takes white privilege to a sinister level". NPR. Archived from the original on September 12, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ Hu, Zoe (May 12, 2023). "Review | 'Yellowface,' a satire of race and publishing, falls into its own trap". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on May 14, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
- ^ Schaub, Michael (November 30, 2023). "Lists of the Top Audiobooks of 2023 Are Revealed". Kirkus Reviews. Archived from the original on December 1, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ "Time 100 Must-Read Books of 2023". Locus Online. November 20, 2023. Archived from the original on December 25, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ Spanoudi, Melina (November 16, 2023). "Yellowface named Amazon's Best Book of the Year". The Bookseller. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ "Yellowface Named Amazon UK Best Book of the Year". Locus Online. November 17, 2023. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ Schaub, Michael (November 7, 2023). "B&N Reveals Finalists for Book of the Year". Kirkus Reviews. Archived from the original on January 16, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ "2023 Books Are My Bag Readers Awards". Locus Online. November 8, 2023. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ "2023 Foyles Books of the Year Winners". Locus Online. December 1, 2023. Archived from the original on December 25, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ Schaub, Michael (December 8, 2023). "Winners of the Goodreads Choice Awards Revealed". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ "2023 Libby Book Awards Winners". Locus Online. March 14, 2024. Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ "2023 New England Book Awards". Locus Online. November 30, 2023. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ "2023 Waterstones Book of the Year". Locus Online. November 30, 2023. Archived from the original on December 25, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ Anderson, Porter (November 8, 2023). "The Aspen Words Literary Prize Names Its 2024 Longlist". Publishing Perspectives. Archived from the original on November 29, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ "2024 Audie Awards Finalists". Locus Online. February 16, 2024. Archived from the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ "The British Book Awards". Waterstones.
- ^ locusmag (May 14, 2024). "2024 British Book Awards". Locus Online. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
- ^ Anderson, Porter (May 14, 2024). "British Book Awards: The 2024 Trade and Book Honors". Publishing Perspectives. Retrieved October 7, 2024.