‘Yellowface’ by R.F. Kuang
Please be aware this review contains spoilers so don’t read on if you’ve not read the book! R.F. Kuang’s Yellowface is a sharp and unsettling literary thriller about ambition, appropriation and the stories we claim as our own. The novel follows June Hayward, a struggling white writer who seizes the opportunity to publish the unfinished manuscript of her more successful peer Athena Liu after Athena’s sudden death. June reshapes it, markets it under a new title and catapults herself into literary stardom. The success feels triumphant, but it comes with a constant shadow of suspicion and a growing fear that the truth will come out. June is an awful character, yet impossible to look away from....
‘Show Me The Bodies’ by Peter Apps
Peter Apps’ ‘Show Me the Bodies’ is an unflinching, meticulously researched account of one of the most devastating tragedies in recent British history. An important read. It will disturb and enrage you, but it will open your eyes.
‘Gunk’ by Saba Sams
Saba Sam’s writing was easy to consume but still felt thoughtful and well-crafted. The characters, especially Jules and Nim, are complex and not always likeable, but I found myself rooting for them to find solace in their respective situations anyway.
‘The Wedding People’ by Alison Espach
This was an enjoyable read, though I felt it skimmed the surface of some of the heavier themes it raised, suicide and depression in particular. The premise initially drew me in, and while it wasn’t quite the page-turner I expected, I was still curious enough to see how it all unfolded.
‘Yellowface’ by R.F. Kuang
A darkly funny portrait of envy and appropriation that makes you question why it feels so good to watch someone behave so badly.
I Loved…
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Reading
Mongrel
Hanako Footman
A novel about identity, belonging, and growing up between cultures. It follows 3 women in different time periods whose stories are connected trying to understand themselves while dealing with love and family. Set between London and Japan, the story is quiet but powerful, with poetic writing and emotional depth.
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Listening
Addison
Addison Rae
A fun, catchy debut album with a throwback Y2K vibe. The songs are playful and polished, showing off her pop star style with confidence. It’s a short but strong debut that’s great for dancing or easy listening.
I Loved…
-
Reading
Mongrel
Hanako Footman
A novel about identity, belonging, and growing up between cultures. It follows 3 women in different time periods whose stories are connected trying to understand themselves while dealing with love and family. Set between London and Japan, the story is quiet but powerful, with poetic writing and emotional depth.
-
Listening
Addison
Addison Rae
A fun, catchy debut album with a throwback Y2K vibe. The songs are playful and polished, showing off her pop star style with confidence. It’s a short but strong debut that’s great for dancing or easy listening.
In Real Life…
This is 35
Today marks my 35th year on the earth.. thirty five fucking years! I’ve have never been so fussed on my birthday for as long as I can remember. Not when I was a child/teenager though, I don’t ever remember not enjoying them as they were also a countdown to Christmas...
Book Club…
‘Yellowface’ by R.F. Kuang
A darkly funny portrait of envy and appropriation that makes you question why it feels so good to watch someone behave so badly.
‘Show Me The Bodies’ by Peter Apps
Peter Apps’ ‘Show Me the Bodies’ is an unflinching, meticulously researched account of one of the most devastating tragedies in recent British history. An important read. It will disturb and enrage you, but it will open your eyes.
Reflections…
When Close Friends Become Strangers
It’s one of the more subtle griefs we carry: the friendships that slipped through the cracks of busy lives, changing circumstances, and unspoken assumptions that the bond would always be there.
To ‘resolute’ or not ‘resolute’.. is that the question?
Happy New Year! It’s quite a cliche as the end of the year comes around and we all look toward the next and decide to make resolutions. Promises we make to ourselves for all different kinds of reasons and half the time we can’t stick to them. We’ve broken them by the...