Yellowface — R. F. Kuang

A darkly funny, razor-sharp literary thriller about ambition, privilege, and publishing’s unspoken rules.

June Hayward and Athena Liu were meant to rise together — two young authors ready to conquer the literary world. But while Athena becomes a celebrated star, June remains invisible. When June witnesses Athena’s tragic death in a freak accident, temptation strikes: Athena’s just-finished manuscript — a groundbreaking novel about the unsung Chinese laborers of WWI — is right there. June edits it, submits it as her own, and lets her publisher transform her into Juniper Song, complete with an ambiguously ethnic new image.

What follows is a biting commentary on authorship, race, cultural appropriation, and the cost of “success” — told with sharp wit and propulsive tension.

Why you’ll love it

• Page-turning satire meets psychological thriller

• Explores race, identity, and the publishing industry’s gatekeeping

• Perfect for book clubs and readers who loved Babel or Such a Fun Age

• Critically acclaimed and highly discussed across social media

Format & Details
Paperback • Author: R. F. Kuang • Genre: Fiction / Asian American & Pacific Islander / Literary Thriller