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R.F. Kuang's 'Yellowface' tackles cultural appropriation in publishing | Book of the Day

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May 23, 2023

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Early in the novel Yellowface, a prominent Asian-American writer, Athena Liu, dies. Her white friend, who is struggling to break through in publishing and witnesses Athena's accident, then seizes on an opportunity: to pass off Athena's words – and identity – as her own. In today's episode, real life author R.F. Kuang speaks with NPR's Mary Louise Kelly about her new book, and how it unravels the messiness of cultural appropriation, the ethics of friendship and the complexities of imperfect characters.

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Athena LiuRF KuangNPR's Mary Louise KellyNPR's BookYouTube SUBSCRIBENPR Music Tiny DeskJazz NightThe NPR

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R.F. Kuang's 'Yellowface' tackles cultural appropriation in publishing | Book of the Day · NPR Podcasts · Sentinel