Yellowface: Literary thriller with some deep bookish internet lore

Talking about the book expressly made for the bookishly online who's forever thirsty for tea, R.F. Kuang follows up her TikTok fav Babel with the publishing thriller Yellowface to talk smack about the world of writing and maybe even offer up a peek at what it's like to be a bestselling novelist.
MENTIONED:
Yellowface - amzn.to/3MI3VQE
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#Yellowface

[@merphynapier42]

This is a top tier review. Loved listening to you pull so much from our little corner of the internet and how it reflected perfectly in this book. I wondered too how much this would land for those not so deeply steeped in the online bookish culture, but if you’re in it, boy oh boy is it on point

[@ThePoptimist]

Thank you. And RF Kuang is probably as reputable a source out there to discuss internet bookish fame intersecting with racialized identity and being a young female creative online - though honestly I thought the book would be more in the discussion. Maybe it's just too soon after Babel.

[@joanneorrico1761]

“I demand to speak to a manager white” Thank you for this book review and your absolutely delightful way of expressing your views and describing books. Love your videos and book selections.

[@ThePoptimist]

Thank you, I feel lucky to have a platform like this to just spew nonsense about something I love!

[@BookofMirth]

I didn't expect to be reminded of SoapDickGate in this video but here we are! (Also appreciated hearing your thoughts on the book.)

[@ThePoptimist]

It's a deep cut but I loved the furor that particular fairy loot box created - dick soap is one thing but one that was so aggressively veiny seemed a tad much.

[@derlis_whatever7033]

Your tone is very calming. Im currently readin Yellowface and really enjoying it although it kinda reads like a news article or maybe a thread on twitter and it really feels like she wrote this in like 2 months and just blurted out everything she's been wanting to say about the industry and readers

[@ThePoptimist]

Right? Just escaped fully formed from the head of Kuang but she's got enough chops to make it a readable thriller with the extra spice of publishing industry tea which I enjoyed thoroughly

[@timtillack]

The hint of how this work sprung fully formed from Kuang's mind can be found in the name of Athena 😉

[@MojiiOkay]

I liked the book a lot and the audio book is especially effective. I did think the 'climax' was pretty silly, but the actual end that comes after was pitch perfect and really hammers home the oblivious nature of the Juniper character. Great video, really interesting additional insights into the inspirations and analogs.

[@ThePoptimist]

It helped that during the climax I imagined it happening at the top of the stairs from John Wick 4 - but the finish was spot on given the tone of the rest of the read.

[@ginnyvanoh]

Just binged this book today and really enjoyed it. Thanks for your enjoyable take on it

[@ThePoptimist]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for dropping by and saying hi

[@readandre-read]

This topic is a nerdy delight. I am thoroughly enjoying the discussions that are arising. Thanks for digging into it.

[@ThePoptimist]

I can't wait to dive into the discourse around this one, feels like there's some meat on those bones

[@gillianwinzinger9558]

Oh how happy I am when I see a new video from you popping up.

[@ThePoptimist]

Thank you, too kind! Sorry it's been so sporadic as of late.

[@lindysmagpiereads]

A thoughtful video, as usual. Thanks for this. Can’t wait to get to Yellowface.

[@ThePoptimist]

Thanks! Can't wait to see the discourse around this one

[@alldbooks9165]

Your upcoming travels sound so exciting!

[@ThePoptimist]

Have you done any exploring in China or surrounding region? I'd love to get out that way but it would be incredible hard cramming it all in a week and I don't know if my body could handle the time change!

[@timtillack]

New subscriber. Excellent review! Thanks for spilling the tea and highlighting the internet lore - some of which I knew and the rest filled the gaps. A superb novel for the current zeitgeist.

[@ThePoptimist]

Thanks for that! Glad to have you here

[@karakask5488]

This was on the list; now its much higher on that list! Thanks for the review. It brings up a lot of thoughts for me about who writes what, and also who is "allowed" to write what. It's an interesting conversation and one that needs to be had, both at large in the book community and also individually for ourselves.

[@ThePoptimist]

I've always like Alexander Chee's approach to writing the "other" - there's a great Vulture article on it

[@karakask5488]

@ThePoptimist That was a great article! Thanks for recommending it. Asking questions about who is writing what about whom is never a bad thing.

[@themusicsnob]

This books sounds so good and I am excited to pick it up once it comes off the library holds list

[@ThePoptimist]

I imagine that list got pretty long, pretty fast!

[@Sayantika_Sarkar]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and inspiring me to explore this thought-provoking book. Keep up the fantastic content! 👍

[@ThePoptimist]

Thank you! Much appreciated

[@TheCarlScharnberg]

Good review. I loved this book. My fave of the year.

[@karez145]

I love this review ❤

[@ThePoptimist]

you are too kind - thank you!

[@1book1review]

Yes, yes, and yes. All the same thoughts (not so good with all the references you pulled out of a hat). I actually hadn't heard of it before, but saw your review and immediately decided to finally read something by her (her other books didn't grab my interest as much) before watching this. I listened to the audio in basically two long sittings and was just captivated and hooked by the whole mess that the narrator is and the look at publishing and bookish online community from various angles. Loved it. Also ended wondering if normies would get it or even enjoy it as much as the community will. Especially the ending. Great review as always David.

[@ThePoptimist]

That ending was just the icing on the cake and so much the vibe, at least here in North America. But yeah, I'm curious how normies will feel about the whole thing because bookish me had synapses firing off in recognition the entire time. Glad you enjoyed it too!

[@R_A_M_9_1]

Everyone has a bullet with their name on it in _Yellowface_ 😈

[@ThePoptimist]

no one gets out unscathed here

[@kathyarrr]

I pre-ordered this one on the strength of Book Riot’s review and your review might be bumping it up the reading list. 😊

[@ThePoptimist]

Book Riot did get a proper mention in the book, cementing its place in the online bookish world - I'm with them in this one being a solid it book favourite for May.

[@paulwinchell6904]

Good to see you back. Was beginning to think you had traded the snow of Canada for the humidity and hurricanes of New Orleans, cigars whiskey and music. But naaah. Babel hit me like a solid left hook. When I finished I walked around being godsmacked for a couple of days. I have not read any of her other work I'm ashamed to say. Will correct this soon. So I'll be looking for Yellow face at my library. Have great week my friend.

[@ThePoptimist]

You too! Back in the world of grey skies and spring rain but it's nice to slip back into a routine for a bit at least. Forewarned though, like I said Yellowface is a huge turn from the dense colonizer tome of a book that is Babel - this is way more airport read with a somewhat unlikeable single narrator ala Girl on a Train. It's the publishing tea that hooked me.

[@Robert.Sheard]

This raises so many issues. Sometime I need to pick your brain about a couple of them. Looking forward to reading this one.

[@ThePoptimist]

Anytime, would love to get into it. Really I need to find an excuse to visit sometimes for a drink (though I dread to mention that I've been enjoying some gin with the sunny weather and finding I like a good gin & tonic!)

[@Robert.Sheard]

@@ThePoptimist Anytime you're traveling in this region, my cabinet is open. I haven't tried gin yet, but watched a video recently that almost had me picking up a bottle of Hendricks.

[@bbear27777]

I will admit I wasnt drawn to this one, but as always, your review makes me interested! How do you do it 😁

[@ThePoptimist]

individual results may vary but if you're into bookish internet lore how could you not want to read this one. Hope you do get around to checking it out whatever it was I said that piqued your interest - always happy to put books into the hands of eager readers!

[@davidnovakreadspoetry]

“ ‘I demand to speak to the manager’ white”! 😂😂

[@ThePoptimist]

LOL - come on, like that isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you see her author photo (especially considering the expectation that came with the name See)

[@davidnovakreadspoetry]

You’re right. I wanted to say something but was feeling too dull to do better. (Of course the name sometimes conjures up See’s Candies with me. Dunno if there’s a relation…

[@ThePoptimist]

Dammit man, I had to look that up and now I just want chocolate!

[@L_Jyll_Dixon]

#allyourfavsareproblematic…a.k.a. the moment I subscribed to your channel. Happy the algorithms led me this way!🤗

[@ThePoptimist]

..wait does that mean I'm #problematic? At least I rank a #fav and am also happy for the algorithmic overlords as they bring folks to me here - welcome!

[@christinaka3190]

Same!😄 Came from Merphy's recommendation stayed for #allyourfavsareproblematic 🤭

[@muoian]

Loved yellowface and am currently reading disorientation . Any recommendations in this same line of reading ???

[@ThePoptimist]

Pulling at the theme of being Asian-American in this modern world there's Days of Distraction by Alexandra Chang and Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu. Being othered in publishing there's The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris

[@muoian]

@@ThePoptimist thank you so much ! Added to the reading list . Happy new Year 🎊

[@curioushmm9027]

have fun seeing the world but come back to booktube soon with more fun like this..do need to read some kuang in the not to distant future..meanwhile i'm loving creatures of passage by morowa yedide and all i can say is WOW WOW WOW.

[@ThePoptimist]

At my age I love travel, but also love the routine of an otherwise mundane week at home.

[@Between2_worlds]

The American Dirt saga pissed me off so bad.