Printable Book Club Questions for Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

What was your overall impression of June? Why do you think the author chose to stay in her perspective for the entire novel?
Were June and Athena ever really friends? If June held such contempt for Athena, why did she always agree to spend time with her?
What were your thoughts when June witnesses Athena choke to death on a pancake? Could June have done more to intervene?
Why did June steal her manuscript?
June gives herself excuses for everything. For instance, in her perspective, Athena’s success is only due to her race. And when June steals her manuscript, she tells herself it isn’t necessarily stealing as she made her own edits to the book. What does these delusions say about June’s mental state and perspective on life?
June is full of micro aggressions toward the Asian community, especially any time she is questioned for covering Chinese history as a White woman with no prior connection or shown previous interest in the time period. What do you feel the author was trying to convey with June’s attitude and reactions?
The publisher decides that June should now go by Juniper Song—complete with an ambiguously ethnic author photo. What are your thoughts about this and what does this say about the publishing industry?
This provided such a look into the publishing world—including the efforts it takes to help a book become a bestseller. Why do you feel some books are pushed more in the public eye than others? What are some of the qualities that makes a book a bestseller—it it simply better marketing or it is more complicated than that?
Another aspect of the novel is the pitfalls of social media, especially Twitter and Instagram. When June starts to face criticism, she spends her time reading the negative comments more than positive ones. Why do you think people like June are so obsessed with social media? Do you feel social media will always be around or do think society may one day reject it?
When trying to write her next novel, June comes up blank. Until she finds ideas from Athena, and she steals from her again. Why was June so addicted to stealing from Athena?
What were your thoughts on Athena as a whole?
What was your impression of the climax, including the reveal that the former literary assistant Candace recorded June’s confession about stealing Athena’s work?
What happens next for June? Will she ever stop her manic obsession with literary success?
What do you think was the goal of the author with writing Yellowface?