"I had done no wrong, and that this is, once again, an instance of nasty, selfish, overdemanding people fabricating a tale of racism where there isn't one." 

I swear, the amount of time I want to slap June Hayward across the face and stangle her was concerning. This is the first time I wish the mc just dies in the end, and that's what I love about this book.

Yellowface was a satirical social commentary on the ugly parts of the publishing industry and the ignorant racism of June Hayward. Now, how would I describe June Hayward... yes, a bitch. The fact that she STOLE Athena's manuscript, very much plagiarize it after Athena died. Then use her casual friendship with Athena to gain sympathy from the crowd, and manipulate Ms. Liu, a grieving mom... The scarier part, you could imagine someone like this in real life, justifying their actions every time they go.

Also, her swearing that she is not "racist" while being afraid of Chinese food without even trying it, and assuming that all Asian Americans have bad English :)) Cutting down a large chunk of Athena's manuscript because apparently she thinks the racism that the Chinese soldiers endure was too "repetitive"... Girl, get a grip.

The fascinating thing here is that Athena Liu isn't some saint either; she also steals people's stories and turns their trauma into a money grabber. I think Kuang wants to tell us how being in the publishing industry pressures you to turn anything into a narrative; your story is not your own, but if you frame it well, you will survive.

I love this book and the purpose that it has established. Honestly, this is my first time reading a book where the author intentionally makes the mc hateable, and I enjoy it more than I thought. Kuang never misses.