Today's Read Contributor May 2023 marked a notable shift in the literary landscape, as two high-profile books demonstrated an increasing focus on both satire and speculative fiction. R. F. Kuang’s Yellowface and Tom Hanks’ The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece showcased works that went beyond entertainment, offering sharp commentary on the industry itself and highlighting broader societal issues.
Kuang’s Yellowface emerged as a powerful critique of the publishing industry’s treatment of Asian American voices. Through its gripping narrative, the novel explored the complexities of identity, representation, and cultural appropriation. The protagonist, an ambitious writer, steals the manuscript of her deceased Chinese American friend, passing it off as her own. What follows is a deep dive into the ethical dilemmas surrounding literary theft, the erasure of minority voices, and the exploitative dynamics within the literary world. Kuang’s decision to write a novel about the invisibility of Asian American authors in mainstream publishing mirrors the larger conversations surrounding diversity and inclusion that continue to unfold in various industries today.
At the same time, Tom Hanks’ The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece provided a more comedic but equally critical look at the inner workings of Hollywood. The book plays with the behind-the-scenes chaos of producing a blockbuster film, drawing on Hanks’ own experiences in the industry. What starts as a story about the making of a film quickly evolves into a meta-narrative that highlights the absurdities of fame, creative control, and the commercialization of art. Hanks’ work, which reads like a blend of fiction and memoir, also examines the tension between the artistic pursuit of filmmaking and the cold, calculating demands of the entertainment business.
Both of these novels embrace a self-reflexive narrative style that critiques their respective industries. Kuang’s exploration of the publishing world, combined with Hanks’ dissection of Hollywood, reflects a growing trend in contemporary fiction where authors are not only telling stories but also engaging in broader cultural conversations. These novels question the systems that govern creative industries, exploring the delicate balance between art and commerce, and the challenges faced by underrepresented voices.
In addition to their critical commentary, both works fall under the umbrella of speculative fiction, using fiction to speculate on potential futures or reveal hidden truths about the present. Yellowface presents an alternate reality where cultural appropriation takes center stage, while The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece delves into the speculative realm of Hollywood’s future, where the lines between art and commerce blur even further. These books are a testament to the power of fiction not just to entertain, but also to challenge, critique, and imagine new possibilities.
As May unfolded, these releases signaled a broader trend toward more socially conscious storytelling in speculative and satirical genres, indicating that fiction continues to evolve as a platform for challenging the status quo and encouraging reflection on contemporary issues.
