Yellowface

Juniper (June) Hayward and her good friend Athena Liu, both from Yale, were young, rising authors. Athena became famous and successful, while June was still struggling with her first novel, which did not make a significant impression on readers. During a girl's night together, Athena accidentally choked on food and died before the ambulance could save her. In Athena's apartment, June saw a recently completed historical fiction novel about the unsung heroes of Chinese laborers during World War I and their significant historical contributions and experiences. It was a masterpiece. June took the manuscript and thought that if she edited it and made it her own publication, she might become famous. She rebrands herself as Juniper Song, which sounds like an Asian last name, while she is actually white. June made significant edits to the novel and convinced herself that it was her edits that made the book great. A reputable publisher published the book, and it became an instant success. June was enjoying the fame and financial success that the book had brought her when the shadows of Athena came back to haunt her. After June's second book, which was based on a paragraph from the beginning of a story that Athena had written, other people started to suspect that June had plagiarized Athena's work.

The main plot of the book revolves around plagiarism and who has the authority to tell a story. However, it reveals the dark side of the book publishing business, showing how the strategic packaging of authors and the promotion of their books can help boost sales and fame. It also explores the themes of superficial friendship, racism, reverse racism, white privilege, social media frenzies, and cancel culture. It highlights the role of social media in shaping authors' reputations by praising or defaming them with the ease of a keyboard. As we read the novel, we feel the ups and downs of the protagonist. We agonize over the wrong choices she has made. We suffer with her through her emotional rollercoaster. After finishing the book, the reader was left with a desire to explore further the many personal and social issues raised in the book.