Yellowface: The instant #1 Sunday Times bestseller and Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick from author R.F. Kuang

I loved learning more about the publishing industry from this book. From acquisitions to promotions and sales, discussions about cultural authenticity and intellectual property.Juniper Hayward (June Song) is a white author whose ‘friend’ Athena has a much more successful writing career than she does. An incident leads to Juniper stealing her friend’s manuscript and the whole story begins.A character has never had me so conflicted, one minute I hate her and think she is a thieving racist and other times I found myself understanding (ish) her motives.Being written in first person, it gives the reader access into the mind of the protagonist.This book is fast paced, you will find yourself turning the page to see what happens next. I didn’t get dark humour or thriller as advertised but I didn’t miss it.I think this would be a great bookclub pick because there is so much to discuss. I also think it’s a good book for authors and book bloggers to read.

Read over two days, this covers a lot of material - jealousy and despair, cultural appropriation, plagiarism, the pernicious effects of social media and a satirical insight into the publishing industry. The unreliable and unlikable narrator leads us on a merry dance while revealing her own (implicit?) racism and white privilege.

Really gripping read lifting the lid on the publishing industry. Loved it although the ending wasn't quite what I hoped for. A highly recommended read nevertheless.

After reading Babel I wasn't sure if Kuang could create another story which would captivate me as much as that did but I will admit I was wrong. While Babel is still my favourite, Yellowface was so well written.It reminded me a little of Poe's Tell-Tale Heart and the hysteria and paranoia that accompanies guilt.June/Junie/Juniper is a character while for all her flaws is relatable, especially given today's social media climate and the need that can consume all of us to be one of the seen. Kuang uses the story to highlight how negativity on platforms can infact be more addictive than the positive and how hard it can be for someone who has been in the spotlight to become a nobody. The saying, any publicity is good publicity would be ideal for the plot of this book.I felt Kuang did a fantastic job of building the hype, the hysteria and the spiral that comes with 'celebrity' status.The book was fast paced and I kept waiting for the penny to drop, which left me hanging on to each page, desperate to get to the next.I loved this story and the realistic way Kuang portrays social media. It was an interesting take on the publishing industry and the pressure that a writer can feel to make their book the next best thing. I particularly resonated with June's nostalgia for the old days when writing was fun and pressure free.A brilliant, captivating read. 100% recommended.

A very fast page turner, written simply, narrative worked well and contained some interesting themes. Finished in 24 hours so anything less than 4 starts feels unfair.

Overall very well written and gripping book. You really bought into the storyline and The protaganist is very frustrating. Great informative insight into the publishing world and how easily white washing can occur. Only negative is that I wouldn't really call it a thriller..

"Yelloface" is an exceptional book that captivated me from start to finish. The author's vivid storytelling transported me to a world of imagination and wonder. The characters were well-developed, each with their unique charm and depth. The plot was gripping, filled with unexpected twists and turns that kept me eagerly turning the pages. The author's prose was elegant and evocative, painting a vibrant picture of the settings and emotions. The themes explored, such as self-discovery and resilience, resonated deeply with me, leaving a lasting impact. "Yelloface" is a must-read for anyone seeking a delightful and thought-provoking literary adventure.

The book arrived promptly. But the cover of the book was slightly damaged. The box that it came in was not damaged at all so I’m presuming it was already ripped beforehand. I didn’t return or exchange as it would be a waste if it was thrown away.