Yellowface

4 ✨

The main character in this novel is deeply unlikeable—and that's part of what makes the book so compelling. R.F. Kuang presents actions we'd usually see as clearly wrong (like plagiarism) in a morally grey light, forcing the reader to constantly question their assumptions. It's a fascinating, at times unsettling, reading experience.

While the plot can feel repetitive and slow in places, the writing is so sharp and engaging that it hardly matters. Even during quieter moments, I couldn't put the book down, which is exactly the reason I ended up finishing it in the middle of the night.

This is a bold, thought-provoking novel, and I haven't read anything quite like it before. While not without its flaws, it has stayed with me days after turning the final page. I'll definitely be reading more of R.F. Kuang's work!