On The Same Page discussion

We're planning to read Yellowface in February. All are welcome to join us. I think so far Lindsey, Ioana, Alissa and me are planning to read this book, but the more the merrier. Here's a little information about the book.

Athena Liu is a literary darling and June Hayward is literally nobody.

When Athena dies in a freak accident, June steals her unpublished manuscript and publishes it as her own under the ambiguous name Juniper Song.

But as evidence threatens June’s stolen success, she will discover exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.

What happens next is entirely everyone else’s fault.

With its totally immersive first-person voice, Yellowface grapples with questions of diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation, as well as the terrifying alienation of social media. R.F. Kuang’s novel is timely, razor-sharp, and eminently readable.

I'm in and excited to read it!!

Me too! I will not read Lea's synopsis...I read it when I added the book to my TBR, but after that, I like going into a book without any idea what it is about ;-)

Well, I've barely started Warrior Girl Unearthed, but I do want to read this & Spotify has the audio available, so I will start it soon.

Lindsey wrote: "I'm in and excited to read it!!"

Yay!!!

Ioana wrote: "Me too! I will not read Lea's synopsis...I read it when I added the book to my TBR, but after that, I like going into a book without any idea what it is about ;-)"

I love that idea - going into a book blind - but I can never do it. I have to see if I'm in the mood for the book before I start it. :-)

Patricia wrote: "Well, I've barely started Warrior Girl Unearthed, but I do want to read this & Spotify has the audio available, so I will start it soon."

Yay! I'm so glad you're going to join us Patricia! We're starting in February, but I wanted to put the thread up before we all start. I'm planning to start in early February, but I'm sure some of the others may start a bit later. :-)

Interesting. For me, I won't know what I'm in the mood for until I start the book. After that, I might decide "I'm not in the mood for this", but not before. That's why my high number of DNFs probably...then sometimes I go back to the book, if I know it was just me.

Ioana wrote: "Interesting. For me, I won't know what I'm in the mood for until I start the book. After that, I might decide "I'm not in the mood for this", but not before. That's why my high number of DNFs probably...then sometimes I go back to the book, if I know it was just me."

If I fall out of the mood for a book while reading it, which happens more often than I would like, I usually pick up another book. If it goes too long, I'll try to read a chapter or two and see if I get back into the mood of the book. It usually works. I am always thinking the book will redeem itself too, which might be why I have so few DNFs.

If I'm totally into my current reads, though, I will only have two books on the go - one audio and one paper. It's been awhile since I've had only two books going at a time for a long period of time. I seem to lose my momentum for one or the other of the books I'm reading. :-)

I'm always only 2 books at a time (1 audio, 1 kindle). Maybe a 3rd graphic novel ;-)

I just finished Yellowface, but can’t wait for the discussion in February. I didn’t realize I would finish it so fast. It has so many topics to talk about.

I just started the audiobook last night. It’s pretty good so far!

Ioana wrote: "I'm always only 2 books at a time (1 audio, 1 kindle). Maybe a 3rd graphic novel ;-)"

I love how we both have figured out a system that works for ourselves. :-)

Kristine wrote: "I just finished Yellowface, but can’t wait for the discussion in February. I didn’t realize I would finish it so fast. It has so many topics to talk about."

Kristine, I just saw your review for Yellowface in your challenge, and I'm so excited that you'll discuss it with us this month. I am hoping to start it early February. I'm very glad to hear that it reads very quickly, I hope I have the same experience. Fingers crossed...

Pam wrote: "I just started the audiobook last night. It’s pretty good so far!"

I think I'm going to do the audiobook too, Pam. I'm glad to hear it is good so far. I'm hoping to start it in a week or so. I've heard so much about this book!

I'll start in about a week, too.

Lea wrote: "Kristine wrote: "I just finished Yellowface, but can’t wait for the discussion in February. I didn’t realize I would finish it so fast. It has so many topics to talk about."

Kristi..."
Lea~Hope you do enjoy it. It is going to be a good book for discussion.

I'm good to start at the beginning of February

I'm starting the book now! :-)

OK, so this book is going to read very quickly. I'm already halfway through, and I can't put it down.

All I will say is that all of these characters are not very likeable. Did anyone else feel like their image of the publishing business was a bit tarnished after reading this book?

I will probably finish it today or tomorrow. It’s a quick read/listen.

Pam wrote: "I will probably finish it today or tomorrow. It’s a quick read/listen."

What do you think about it Pam? I will probably finish tomorrow or the next day. It has definitely held my interest!

I don’t read a lot of contemporary novels (not my favorite) but it’s an interesting story! I like the way the author addresses book review bombing and social media harassment. I have 45 minutes left - almost finished! I am curious how it wraps up.

I should be starting this weekend. Excited to discuss!!!

I will probably finish it today or tomorrow, too. I have less than 2 hrs left, wow! Not a likable character anywhere, and while I was aware of how social media can manipulate, make or break a person/influencer/singer or in this case, a writer, I was not aware of what goes on in the publishing industry. Can't wait to see how this train wreck ends.

I wonder how much of the publishing industry parts are based on personal experience.

Wow! You guys are fast! I started the audio last week, but have only listened to a couple of hours. I mostly listen when I drive & I've been sick, so haven't been out. Hopefully, will get back into it soon. I agree with the "unlikeable characters" but figure that was the point. It really sounds like she (Kuang?) doesn't like the publishing industry. I've been watching "The Other Black Girl" on Hulu, so another take on the publishing industry. Also, I was going to mention another book where someone steals someone else's book. I'll have to look up the name of it. Has anyone read either of these? (I know; it will help when I get the name. Stay tuned).

The Plot was the book I was thinking of.

Now I want to read The Plot too.

I think the ending will be controversial, but I really liked it. :-)

The Plot is on my TBR....should I bring it up the list?

Starting today. If anyone does the Popsugar Reading Challenge, this counts for one of the prompts - a character killed in the first chapter.

The Plot has been on my TBR list too. Hmmmm..... are we finding another buddy read???? 🤔

So.... i get I just started, but I have to ask - do y'all believe there is this much animosity betwen authors as there is betwen Athena and June?

Lindsey wrote: "The Plot has been on my TBR list too. Hmmmm..... are we finding another buddy read???? 🤔"

I vote yes, and I'm in whenever. However, maybe we should read it after a couple of months passes, so we can still compare, but they feel like two distinct works.

Lindsey wrote: "So.... i get I just started, but I have to ask - do y'all believe there is this much animosity betwen authors as there is betwen Athena and June?"

I'm not in a creative field, so I don't understand this competition that exists. But it might? As you read the book, I'm curious as to your (and everyone else's opinion), were June and Athena friends or not?

My opinion is (view spoiler)[I think one thing a true friendship must have is trust, and I don't think June and Athena ever trusted one another. I think they were good acquaintances. (hide spoiler)]

An essay by the author

Dear Reader: What Does It Mean to Own or Steal a Story?

In Yellowface, R.F. Kuang uses satire and absurdity to reflect on the publishing industry.

https://reesesbookclub.com/article/wh...

Lea wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "The Plot has been on my TBR list too. Hmmmm..... are we finding another buddy read???? 🤔"

I vote yes, and I'm in whenever. However, maybe we should read it after a couple of months..."

I think that's a good idea. Maybe summer or after summer.....

Yellowface: The wildly popular novel grappling with cultural appropriation --> https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.smh....

This book is like one massive trainwreck about to happen. You know it's about to crash but you just can't take your eyes off of it.

Lindsey wrote: "This book is like one massive trainwreck about to happen. You know it's about to crash but you just can't take your eyes off of it."

Completely accurate.

It is both shocking and not shocking at all to think about what we all do when we are trying to justify our actions and our thoughts. I just hope that I don't stray as far from reality as some of these characters do!

I love the links you put up there.

It's such an interesting topic.

Lindsey wrote: "The Plot has been on my TBR list too. Hmmmm..... are we finding another buddy read???? 🤔"

Yessss!!!! Pick a month.

I'm over halfway thru. I can't put this book down!

Lea - to answer your question, i don't think June and Athena were ever truly fiends. What June did, you just don't do to a real friend. That's something you do to someone you have no real feelings or care towards (ok, you shouldn't steal anyone'swork. Period). But thats just my opinion right now. Also, something June said early in the book stuck with me - (view spoiler)[she says something to the effect that Athena deserves retribution because she originally stole an experience that was hers and wrote about it. (hide spoiler)]

Can i just say how many passages i have highlighted to come back to for discussion!!! This is crazy!

Ok, here is one of my questions - her editor and publisher tells June not to read reviews. But she sticks on goodreads and social media like hot glue. Do you think it's wise for authors to read reviews? If you published a book, would you want to read the reviews or stay away from them?

Lindsey wrote: "Do you think it's wise for authors to read reviews? If you published a book, would you want to read the reviews or stay away from them?"

It's not wise, but I think it's human nature to want to know what the others think about us. Do you check who commented/liked your posts on social media? I would do the same, be glued on GR and Amazon to read the reviews, and take the negative ones personally. Not wise, I know, but I could not help it.

Regarding the June/Athena friendship, I don't think that was ever a thing. Acquaintances that shared some common history and interests, yes, but never a friendship.

Ok, i just finished. Oh my word. I could not peel my eyes away from that book. I have sooooo many passages highlighted for discussion. But i just gave my son my ipad so he could facetime his aunt. I'll bring some of those up later for talking points.

Ioana, to answer your question, i think it would be so hard to not read reviews of my book. I hate when reviewers get nasty and disrespectful. Its okay if you didn't like a book, but be able to articulate why instead of just saying 'this writer sucks'. Goodreads is the only social media I'm on. My husband and i deleted everything when my son was 3 and he was approached by a crazy lady at the grocery store who knew all of this info about my son bc she saw it on Facebook (turned out it was my sister-in-law Facebook page she saw stuff on). We deleted social media the next day and haven't looked back. But I see where in today's climate as an author you really have to have a presence on social media. It would be hard to read negative reviews about something you pour you heart, mind and soul into.

I wonder how often this scenario really happens in real life of one author stealing another's book/story/idea?

R.F. Kuang on White Paranoia and the Pitfalls of identity Politics --> https://www.interviewmagazine.com/lit...

And can i just say how much i disiked those characters???? Brett was the only one who didn't completely drive my batty. But that part was brilliant - the story idea itself was so good it didn't matter if you loved or hated the characters, you just had to know how this whole thing plays out....

Do y'all think Athena’s mother knew the real truth?

Rebecca Kuang in conversation about her first literary novel taking aim at the publishing industry

“I didn’t know how bad it was on the other side until the book had been sold and then it really became a novel, not just about how broken and toxic authors are, but also about how terrible things are on the industry side”

https://www.thebookseller.com/author-...

Do y'all think there were any publishers who didn't want to touch this story because of the shots it takes at the industry?

Great links, Lindsey, thank you. I need to read these interviews now.

I never thought about the big publishing houses' reaction about publishing this book (or not). The Borough Press is part of the HarperCollins Publishers, and I think that regardless of what they thought, as for any industry these days, profits drive their activities. Personal beliefs be damned. And any publicity is good publicly.

Ok, so y’all bear with me …. I have lots of stuff highlighted to discuss.

This is something Athena said:

“I sometimes wonder how my work would be received if I pretended to be a man, or a white woman. The text could be exactly the same, but one might be a critical bomb and the other a resounding success. Why is that?”

Do you agree with her sentiment? Do you think she was a legitimate author worthy of the praise and accolades she received?

Here is another one -

This is June talking about Athena’s thoughts on translation:

“On the topic of cultural exposition, she’s written that she doesn’t “see the need to move the text closer to the reader, when the reader has Google, and is perfectly capable of moving closer to the text.” She drops in entire phrases in Chinese without adding any translations—her typewriter doesn’t have Chinese characters, so she left spaces and wrote them out by hand.”

So, what are your thoughts on this? There are tons of books out there where the author will speak some in another language. Do you feel the author should put a translation in, or is it normally pretty obvious what they saying in the context of the paragraph? I love to read Indian authors and a lot of times they will speak in one of the languages from India at times, I can understand what they are saying even if there isn’t a translation. But it got me thinking…. As a reader, I don’t want to have to go to google to understand what the author is saying.