Ange

After a long time sitting on my ‘to-read' list, I finally got around to ‘The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho, not through the pages of a book but through an audiobook narrated by Jeremy Irons, whose profound voice was perhaps the only reason I managed to finish it.

The book, published 36 years ago and holding a decent rating on Goodreads, tells the story of a shepherd boy who, guided by omens and a prophetic king, embarks on a quest across Africa to find a hidden treasure. Along the way, he meets various characters, including a wise alchemist, faces life-threatening challenges, and learns important life lessons. Eventually, he discovers a deeper universal truth, finding his treasure and transforming in the process.

Despite its popularity, ‘The Alchemist' didn't resonate with me. It felt overly preachy and philosophical, more like a fable than a novel, which might be due to its translation from Portuguese. While it might have been enlightening back in the day, it feels a bit dated now. I'm glad to have crossed it off my list, but overall, it was underwhelming.

Stepping out of my usual fantasy-filled shelves, I entered unfamiliar territory with “Yellowface” by RF Kuang. Initially, I assumed it might revolve around an Asian party girl, only to discover a much deeper narrative waiting to unfold. This dive into RF Kuang's work marked my first encounter with her writing, yet the novel resonated with a personal touch, delving into the fast-paced and cut-throat book industry and shedding light on the pervasive racism that plagues the Asian community.

I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I anticipated. I listened to the audiobook with the version narrated by Helen Laser. I believe she captured the main character's point of view and intent so well. After the first chapter, I was hooked and needed to find out more. Throughout the book June Hayward tried so much justifying her choices, painting her actions as warranted. Her intentions shift through the chapters, convincing herself she deserves Athena's fruits of labour. Laser captured June's tone so well, it made me hate her more. 

Kuang didn't want the readers to love Yellowface's protagonist, June. She's crafted to challenge our perceptions and evoke a sense of unease and moral ambiguity. If you find yourself liking her or believing her intentions are valid, then you're just as complicit as she is. The narrative cleverly forces us to confront our own biases and judgments, blurring the lines between hero and anti-hero in a truly thought-provoking way. This book packs a serious punch, making us scrutinise where we stand in the murky moral waters that June navigates.

Yellowface paints a detailed picture of the publishing industry, shedding light on the everyday challenges faced by new and upcoming writers. Some authors, like June Hayward, struggle to garner attention from critics or capture the public's affection due to their limited literary prowess. In contrast, Athena Liu, a talented writer who is also a minority, is celebrated by the critics and the public. Her ethnicity and cultural background enable her to cover certain topics, yet simultaneously restrict her from writing within those themes. This dual perspective offers a deeper insight into the writing industry, possibly reflecting Kuang's navigation through the literary world.

Overall, I'd definitely recommend giving this book a read. While it's not without its flaws, the twist of having the main character as the antagonist is brilliantly executed, compelling readers to question and form their perspectives on the character.