Starting a new chapter in life often means navigating unfamiliar territory. Recently, my family and I moved to a new estate, a fresh beginning that came with its fair share of excitement and challenges. Whilst we knew this would be a temporary home, it was a home we endeavoured to create nonetheless!

While we settled into our new home, one thing quickly became apparent: this area lacked a sense of literary community. Having always enjoyed reading, I knew this would be an opportunity to create something meaningful. So, I decided to take the leap and start a book club—an idea I had often entertained but never quite acted on before.

The estate where we now live is still growing, and while there are plenty of young families and professionals moving in, there wasn’t yet a book club in sight. I reached out to a few neighbours who shared my enthusiasm for reading, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

Soon, we gathered at the house of a fellow book lover to hold our very first meeting. We decided to start small—just a handful of people around a table with some tea and snacks, discussing books and ideas. Our first meeting was a success, with everyone contributing lively thoughts on the books we discussed.

As the group continues to grow, we plan to expand to larger spaces, possibly even holding virtual meetings for those who can’t always make it in person. But for now, we’re a close-knit group of passionate readers with an exciting future ahead. Out first book couldn’t have been more timely or thought-provoking: Yellowface by R.F. Kuang. Here’s a look at why it was an excellent choice to kick off our literary journey together and a review of this riveting novel.

Why Yellowface? 

When selecting the first book for our new book club, we wanted something that would spark meaningful discussions and offer plenty of layers for analysis. Yellowface is a perfect fit. R.F. Kuang, best known for her Poppy War trilogy, is a master storyteller whose work pushes boundaries, tackles complex themes, and challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths. Yellowface, her latest novel, explores issues of cultural appropriation, identity, and the commodification of race in the world of publishing.

The story revolves around June Hayward, a struggling writer who witnesses the death of her more successful friend, Athena Liu, a Chinese-American author on the brink of literary stardom. After Athena dies in a tragic accident, June decides to steal one of Athena’s unpublished manuscripts—an act that sets the stage for a morally ambiguous exploration of race, identity, and the lengths to which people will go to achieve success.

Given the complexities of identity, racism, and the politics of authorship, we thought this book would provide fertile ground for rich discussion and reflection. The themes are as relevant as ever in today’s cultural climate, and we were eager to dive in as a group. Yellowface is a provocative and unsettling novel that challenges both its characters and its readers to question who gets to tell stories, whose voices are amplified, and at what cost.

The Plot: A Tangled Web of Ambition and Deception 

Yellowface begins with a tragic event: Athena Liu, a talented Chinese-American writer, dies in a freak accident. June Hayward, her longtime friend and literary rival, is devastated by the loss, but she also sees an opportunity. Athena had been working on a novel based on her family’s experiences in China, a book that had the potential to make her a breakout success. After Athena’s death, June steals the manuscript, edits it, and publishes it as her own under the title The Last Book of the Chinese Diaspora.

What ensues is a haunting and morally grey exploration of identity, authenticity, and the ways in which society commodifies stories of marginalized groups. June’s decision to pass off Athena’s work as her own is not just an act of theft but an act of cultural appropriation, and as the book progresses, readers are forced to reckon with June’s motivations and the ethical implications of her actions.

The novel is written in the form of a diary-style narration, with June’s inner thoughts and justifications revealed in a series of journal entries, emails, and public-facing narratives. This structure allows the reader to dive deep into June’s mind and see her rationalizations unfold in real time. While she recognizes that what she’s doing is wrong, she also convinces herself that it’s her only shot at success in an industry that values fame over truth.

As June’s “success” grows, so does her moral decay. She becomes increasingly obsessed with maintaining the illusion of authorship, and as the book takes unexpected twists, we are forced to ask ourselves: Is June a villain, or is she a product of a deeply flawed system? Does the fact that Athena’s story resonates with readers make June’s actions more justifiable, or does it make the situation worse?

Themes: Identity, Power, and Cultural Appropriation 

One of the most compelling aspects of Yellowface is its exploration of the intersection of race, identity, and cultural appropriation. In the novel, June becomes a symbol of how the publishing world—and the world at large—often rewards those who can commodify the suffering and stories of others, especially marginalized groups. The book grapples with the idea that cultural stories, particularly those of people of colour, are often extracted and sold to mainstream audiences, whether the storytellers are qualified to tell those stories or not.

The novel raises important questions about who gets to speak for whom. June is a white woman who has spent her life in the shadow of Athena, a Chinese-American woman, and yet she decides that she is entitled to tell Athena’s story. She justifies her actions by convincing herself that her own writing career has failed because the industry doesn’t value “boring” stories from white women. In a sense, her theft of Athena’s manuscript becomes a commentary on the inequities within publishing, where marginalized voices are often overlooked in favour of stories that are more palatable to a predominantly white, affluent audience.

Moreover, the novel challenges readers to consider what makes a story “authentic.” Is it enough for a writer to simply say they are telling someone else’s truth, or must they have lived that truth themselves? Yellowfaceasks us to critically examine how narratives are constructed, marketed, and consumed, and whether cultural appropriation can ever be excused, even when it leads to a successful career.

Writing and Structure: Kuang’s Unflinching Critique 

R.F. Kuang’s writing is sharp, intelligent, and unflinching. She tackles difficult topics with a steady hand, ensuring that the reader is never allowed to shy away from the moral complexities of June’s actions. The format of the novel—written in June’s voice through journal entries, emails, and interviews—creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy. The reader is positioned to understand June’s internal struggles and justifications, even as they recoil from her behaviour.

The novel also has a relentless pace, with a series of twists and turns that keep the reader on edge. As June’s web of lies unravels, the stakes get higher, and the sense of tension and dread intensifies. Kuang’s command of suspense is masterful, and she keeps the reader engaged, even when the material becomes uncomfortable.

The Discussion: A Perfect Book Club Pick 

Our discussion of Yellowface as a book club was nothing short of engaging. We were able to explore complex questions about authorship, ethics, and the exploitation of marginalized voices, and we didn’t always agree on every point. Some members found themselves sympathizing with June, understanding her desperation and her frustration with the publishing world. Others, however, found it difficult to excuse her actions, regardless of her motivations. The book opened a broader conversation about the power dynamics in the literary world, the role of cultural sensitivity in storytelling, and the boundaries between inspiration and theft.

In many ways, Yellowface is the kind of book that you can’t help but talk about. It forces you to think deeply and challenge your assumptions, making it an ideal starting point for any book club. The themes it tackles are timely, and its unflinching portrayal of moral ambiguity sparks rich conversations about identity and ethics.

Final Thoughts: A Thought-Provoking, Unforgettable Read 

As we continue our book club journey, I’m excited about the conversations we’ll have around the books we choose. Yellowface has set a high bar for our future discussions, and I’m already looking forward to our next pick. R.F. Kuang’s novel is an excellent choice for anyone interested in exploring the intersections of race, identity, and ambition in today’s world, and it will leave you questioning the very nature of storytelling itself.

Join us! 

Those that are local to us are more than welcome to come along to our next meet – please drop me an email at sana@mybluewatertutor.co.uk to find out more!