I couldn't put Yellowface down. The narrator, Junie, is incredibly relatable and yet simultaneously repulsive. Kuang draws readers into her tale, luring them with the promise of some sort of redemption, or at the very least, revenge. And yet, by the end of the novel, no real resolution has been achieved. Junie ends the tale with a promise to tell her own story, but we can't help wonder if she has completely lost her marbles. I loved this book.
"The Birds" is haunting me, even days after I first read it. I cannot get it out of my head! I have so many musings, but I have yet to put them into words.
While I appreciated the journey that sweeps Mel across the length of Aotearoa, I didn't appreciate Mel. She came across as spoiled, vapid, and obtuse. I've read many books with unreliable narrators, but this one doesn't do that technique credit. Reading from Mel's point of view, I became irritated at her complete lack of awareness or common sense, and even more annoyed by her pettiness. The whole book felt incredibly unrealistic from a narrative and relational perspective. The only redeeming factor is that it was short; I appreciated being able to read it in one sitting.