Yellowface

Yellowface by R. F. Kuang

Print Length: 336 pages
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Literary Fiction, Asian American Literature & Fiction

This book is quite intense, so brace yourself for a fairly lengthy review!

If you are someone who enjoys reading books, keeps up with book reviews, and has some knowledge of the publishing industry, then I want to let you know that this particular book may stir up a range of emotions in you. Having studied, volunteered, and worked in the publishing industry myself before transitioning to content marketing, I believe that this book shines a light on some of the darker aspects of this industry.

TL;DR (Note: This section was assisted by Frontdoor and contains spoilers.)

2. 1) The story delves into the moral quandaries faced by an author, June Hayward, who steals a deceased peer’s manuscript to achieve literary fame, spotlighting the lengths to which individuals might go to secure recognition and success in the highly competitive literary world.
4. 2) “Yellowface” critically explores the theme of cultural appropriation as June, a white woman, not only steals an Asian colleague’s work but also adopts an ethnically ambiguous pen name to present the story as her own. This act raises significant questions about identity, authenticity, and the right to tell certain stories.
6. 3) By dealing with a novel about Chinese laborers’ contributions during World War I, the book addresses the often overlooked histories and contributions of minority groups, emphasizing the importance of diverse stories and voices in literature.
8. 4) The narrative unfolds the psychological and professional turmoil June faces as she lives under the constant fear of being exposed for her literary theft, revealing the precarious nature of success built on deceit.
10. 5) The book sheds light on the publishing industry’s role in shaping authors’ identities and the marketing of their stories, as seen through the rebranding of June as Juniper Song. It critiques how the industry can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and the commodification of ethnic identities for commercial gain.
12. 6) “Yellowface” comments on the modern dilemma of maintaining an online persona, highlighting how social media can amplify feelings of isolation and inadequacy, particularly among individuals whose real lives do not align with the images they project online.
14. 7) Throughout the book, June’s journey forces her—and, by extension, readers—to reflect on issues of ethics, cultural sensitivity, and personal integrity. It prompts a broader discussion on the responsibilities of storytellers to represent cultures and experiences beyond their own.
16. 8) By addressing these themes, “Yellowface” by R.F. Kuang offers a poignant critique of the literary world, urging readers to consider the impact of cultural appropriation and the authenticity of storytelling in the context of contemporary social issues.

I first noticed this book being recommended to me on various platforms, such as Goodreads, Amazon recommendations, and book review magazines. After a long wait, I finally got my hands on a copy from my local library, and even now there is a waiting list of 42 people. This made me wonder – why is this book so popular?

This book explores the often ignored and raw aspects of book publishing. The story follows Juniper Song Hayward (also known as June Hayward), who takes Athena Liu’s manuscript after an unusual accident. Athena is a talented Asian-American author who has achieved immense success with her best-selling books, Netflix deals, and a rising reputation in the literary world. June, a struggling writer, pretends to be Athena’s friend while secretly resenting her success. She believes that she can never achieve the same level of success as Athena until she steals, edits, and claims Athena’s story as her own creation.

This book resonates with me personally because, much like in the entertainment industry, bestselling authors are considered celebrities in the publishing world. On the other hand, independent bookshops, publishers, and debut authors often struggle to achieve success if they don’t have the right connections or luck to reach the top. This is especially true if they are not published by one of the top five publishing companies, which are Penguin Random House, Hachette, Harper Collins, Simon & Schuster, and Macmillan.

Regarding the book’s topic, it’s worth noting that June is not portrayed as a villain. In fact, she’s a flawed character just like the rest of us, and her actions are influenced by both her desires and external factors. Although we may not be as heartless or unfeeling as she is, her thought processes are something that many of us can relate to.

The author succinctly sums this up by saying, 

Every writer I know feels this way about someone else. Writing is such a solitary activity. You have no assurance that what you’re creating has any value, and any indication that you’re behind in the rat race sends you spiraling into the pits of despair. Keep your eyes on your own paper, they say. But that’s hard to do when everyone else’s papers are flapping constantly in your face.

R. F. Kuang, Yellowface

When June stole Athena’s manuscript, she not only made edits but also altered several scenes in the book to match her own preferences as a white, cisgender woman. Athena, on the other hand, conducted extensive research on Chinese history while writing her BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) historical fiction. However, June and her editor (who was also a white woman) felt that some of the powerful scenes were unnecessary. This raises the question of how much an editor can change the original text to cater to a particular demographic. Does it diminish the intensity and authenticity of the story? Does it disregard the emotions felt by the author and her community? On the other hand, Athena takes inspiration from the past sufferings embedded in the histories of other Asian communities. However, some people may question if it is right for Athena, who is Asian but was born and raised in a household that only spoke English and whose upbringing is more American than it is Asian, to write about the experiences of other Asian communities.

This issue delves into topics such as race, cultural authenticity, plagiarism, whitewashing, and more, forcing us to ponder. While studying publishing abroad, I was also made aware of the pay gap in the industry, the lack of diversity in the work culture, issues in translation, insufficient pay for translators, the high cost of entering prestigious book awards that tend to exclude debut authors and independent publishers due to their budget constraints, and more. Despite the glitz and glamour of bestsellers that we often see, this book offers a different perspective.

What I found most disturbing was the impact of social media. With just a smartphone, anyone can ruin someone’s life with a single tweet. The constant Twitter battles, harsh criticisms, and hateful comments from strangers can be emotionally and physically damaging. This book portrays this disturbing phenomenon in great detail.

I found the book to be fascinating because it felt authentic. It’s not a story about an established author, but rather a struggling one. The novel sheds light on the issues that the publishing industry still faces and has a long way to go. And if you perceive June as a villain in the end, let me tell you that there are more people like June than Athena than you might think.

Ratings on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being exceptional):
Quality of writing: 7
Pace: 9
Plot development: 8
Characters: 8
Enjoyability: 8
Insightfulness: 10
Ease of reading: 9
Photo/Illustrations: NA

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