I saw R. F. Kuang quoted she wanted Yellowface to feel like an anxiety attack, and I can't think of a book better accomplishing its author's goals than this one, in that case. From the very beginning of the novel, you're cringing your way through it, and the quick pace of it only ratchets up the anxiety throughout. It brings to mind a lot of really interesting questions to think about when it comes to authorship and who is allowed to tell what stories, and, for me, was one of the more scathing satires on the publishing industry I've read. It really brings a sense of doom to the concept of being a public figure in any realm, but the publishing-specific stuff is particularly nightmarish.
Reviewed on Monday, January 15th, 2024, 8:29am.
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