Ellettsville Book Group: Yellowface, by R.F. Kuang (Age 18+)

The careers of June Hayward and Athena Liu have paralleled—both Yalies, they published debuts in the same year. But while Athena gains critical acclaim for her cross-genre work, June’s sales lag. When Athena dies in a terrible accident, June steals her highly anticipated new novel celebrating the Chinese laborers who contributed to the British and French war efforts during World War I. Now she’s basking in glory, but news of her theft is about to break.

Kuang’s magnificent novel uses satire to shine a light on systemic racial discrimination and the truth that often hides behind the twisted narratives constructed by those in power.