Yellowface (novel)
ISBN 9780063250833 | |
Yellowface is a 2023 novel written by
Writing and development
Kuang 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
June 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 best friend of the author and begins to edit and re-write Athena's manuscript, a novel about
Critical reception
Reviews
Kirkus 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
In 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 | Finalist | [16] |
Books Are My Bag Readers' Awards | Finalist | [17] | |
Foyles Books of the Year for Fiction | Winner | [18] | |
Goodreads Choice Award for Fiction | Winner | [19] | |
Libby Book Award for Best Book Club Pick | Winner | [20] | |
New England Book Award for Fiction
|
Winner | [21] | |
Waterstones Book of the Year for Fiction | Finalist | [22] | |
2024 | Aspen Words Literary Prize | Longlisted | [23] |
Audie Award for Fiction | Finalist | [24] | |
British Book Award for Fiction | Shortlist | [25] |
References
- ^ 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.
- 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.
- Locus Online. November 20, 2023. Archivedfrom 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.
- Locus Online. November 17, 2023. Archivedfrom 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.
- Locus Online. November 8, 2023. Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- Locus Online. December 1, 2023. Archivedfrom 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.
- Locus Online. March 14, 2024. Archivedfrom the original on March 21, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- Locus Online. November 30, 2023. Archivedfrom the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- Locus Online. November 30, 2023. Archivedfrom 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.
- Locus Online. February 16, 2024. Archivedfrom the original on February 17, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- Locus Online. March 8, 2024. Archivedfrom the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.