bookstagramofmine
Written on Dec 25, 2023
brilliant
The Number One Global Sensation *Foyle’s Fiction Book of the Year* *Amazon Book of the Year* *Shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year*‘Addictive’ Grazia
‘Hugely entertaining’ Observer
‘Provocative’ Mail on Sunday
THIS IS ONE HELL OF A STORY.
IT’S JUST NOT HERS TO TELL.
When failed writer June Hayward witnesses her rival Athena Liu die in a freak accident, she sees her opportunity… and takes it.
So what if it means stealing Athena’s final manuscript?
So what if it means ‘borrowing’ her identity?
And so what if the first lie is only the beginning…
Finally, June has the fame she always deserved. But someone is about to expose her…
What happens next is entirely everyone else's fault.
‘The book that everyone is talking about’ Glamour
‘Ingenious, astute, hugely entertaining’ David Nicholls
‘Breathtakingly clever on jealousy, talent, success, and who gets to tell which story’ Elizabeth Day
‘Hard to put down. Harder to forget’ Stephen King
R.F. Kuang’s book Yellowface was a #1 Sunday Times bestseller w/c 04-06-23
R.F. Kuang’s book Yellowface was a #5 New York Times bestseller w/c 04-06-23
- ISBN13 9780008532772
- Publish Date 25 May 2023 (first published 16 May 2023)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
- Imprint The Borough Press
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 336
- Language English
- URL http://harpercollins.co.uk
Reviews
lessthelonely
Written on Jul 26, 2023
OK! This was fast to read.
There is only one sole reason I don't give this the absolute 5 stars, mainly that I had misplaced expectations. And while some are entirely my fault, I guess the marketing and the author's own comments about this book also contributed to the way I saw this book: there is everything in this book that points towards thriller, except one thing! What it does have: compulsively readable prose (to the point I had delayed reactions to what I was reading - the prose was that buttery), one hell of a narrative hook (see the book's synopsis), and a white woman main character whose range of delusion goes from eyebrow-raising to shock-inducing.
What it lacks, however, is a bit more of tension throughout: time cures all wounds, and while it certainly is realistic, when I pick up a Thriller, I am expecting the far-fetched, the absolutely stupid, the audacity to stick to your guns. Make no mistake: I did make that, but when I was expecting a little bit more leaning towards entertainment (I hope that's not offesnive to say - I mean it positively), I got incredible insights into the writing industry and pop culture. And it was great to know SO FUCKING MUCH about what was being said, the amount of times The Untamed was mentioned was actually hilarious to me.
Yet I did feel somewhat sad that this book didn't truly shock me senseless - maybe I'm giving myself too much credit, but I truly believe I was able to pick up the subtext at play here and there were also things I truly admit might've gone over my head. I must also admit I found myself even eerily comfortable in the way the main character justified her own actions. I guess I was expecting one of those finales you know are incredibly reality-bending but that are there to make a point, but I got a more realistic portrayal of delusion that I am ashamed to admit how easily it was to believe and follow. Point taken! For all this, I commend the author, but I can't let go the published review from her here on Goodreads, mentioning how this was her goblin era book.
I hope she dabbles in the genre again - I can't wait to read whatever she puts out.