Yellowface: A Reese's Book Club Pick By R. F Kuang (2023)

 In R.F. Kuang's chilling and sharply humorous novel, "Yellowface," bestselling author Juniper Song hides a dark secret. Supposedly Asian American and acclaimed for her work, Juniper is an imposter, having stolen the experimental masterpiece of her literary rival, Athena Liu, who dies in a freak accident.

Driven by jealousy, June Hayward, the real author, appropriates Athena's narrative about Chinese laborers in World War I. June's ambition leads her to rebrand as Juniper Song, obscuring her true identity with an ambiguously ethnic author photo. The stolen novel catapults her to New York Times bestseller status, but the looming shadow of Athena threatens her success.

As June grapples with cultural appropriation, diversity, and racism, she becomes entangled in a web of lies. The narrative delves into the alienation of social media and the desperate lengths June will go to protect her stolen success. The immersive first-person voice confronts readers with the complexities of identity and the consequences of deceit.

"Yellowface" emerges as a timely exploration of cultural issues, offering a razor-sharp critique of the publishing industry's dynamics and the pervasive influence of social media. Kuang's storytelling is both timely and thought-provoking, creating an eminently readable narrative that engages with the challenges of diversity and the thin line between success and deception. 📚❤️