49 pages • 1 hour read
David Henry HwangYellow Face
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 2007A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Yellow Face by David Henry Hwang follows DHH, a prominent playwright, who protests a yellowface casting in Miss Saigon, only to mistakenly cast a white actor as an Asian character in his own play Face Value. As he struggles to cover up this blunder, DHH navigates issues of cultural identity, artistic authenticity, and the marginalization of Asian Americans in the 1990s United States. The play contains content related to racism against Asian people.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Yellow Face by David Henry Hwang is praised for its witty, insightful examination of race and identity in America, blending humor and serious themes effectively. Critics appreciate the sharp dialogue and bold narrative style. However, some feel its metafictional approach may be confusing or alienating for certain readers. Overall, it's a compelling, thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read Yellow Face?
A reader who enjoys Yellow Face by David Henry Hwang is likely interested in exploring themes of race, identity, and cultural perception through satirical and thought-provoking narratives. Similar readers might appreciate works like Disgraced by Ayad Akhtar and M. Butterfly by the same author, which challenge social norms and prejudices.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Play: Drama
Play: Comedy / Satire
Auto/Biographical Fiction
Race / Racism
Politics / Government
Education
Identity: Race
Values/Ideas: Equality
Values/Ideas: Art
Asian Literature