Yellowface

Juniper Song recounts the night she watches Athena Liu die, a young and immensely successful writer who has just signed a Netflix deal. Despite her immense success, Athena has few friends, and her relationship with Juniper is one of convenience and jealousy. Juniper reflects on their shared history, from their days at Yale to their current lives in DC, where Athena’s career has skyrocketed while Juniper’s remains stagnant. During their night out, Juniper and Athena’s conversation reveals the stark contrast between their careers and personal lives. Juniper harbors deep-seated jealousy and resentment towards Athena’s success, which is exacerbated by Athena’s obliviousness to Juniper’s struggles. After a few drinks, Athena invites Juniper to her luxurious apartment, where they continue to drink and bond over trivial topics. Juniper’s jealousy momentarily subsides as she enjoys a rare moment of genuine connection with Athena. The night takes a tragic turn when Athena begins to choke on a pancake during an impromptu eating contest. Despite Juniper’s attempts to perform the Heimlich maneuver and call for help, Athena dies from asphyxiation. Juniper is left to deal with the aftermath, including giving a statement to the EMTs and police, and grappling with the guilt and shock of what has transpired.

Following the tragic death of Athena Liu, Juniper Song reflects on the peculiar nature of her grief. Despite the shock of witnessing Athena’s death, Juniper feels more bewildered than devastated, as her relationship with Athena was not particularly close. She struggles with a mix of guilt, especially over her failed attempt to save Athena, and a sense of detachment, which she tries to manage through drinking, overeating, and avoiding social interactions.

Juniper’s attempts to cope with the aftermath include attending a local support group and seeing a therapist, both of which leave her feeling worse due to their assumptions about her relationship with Athena. She also writes a Twitter thread about the incident, which garners significant attention and sympathy from the online community. However, the attention and support make her feel uncomfortable and guilty, especially as she starts to feel a sense of excitement from the newfound attention.

A few weeks later, Juniper attends Athena’s funeral, where she delivers a eulogy that she finds difficult but necessary. The event is attended mostly by older members of the Korean community, and Juniper feels out of place. After the funeral, she decides to take a break from her tutoring job, finding it impossible to focus on her work. During this time, she reads Athena’s unfinished manuscript, The Last Front, and is deeply moved by its quality and potential. Inspired, Juniper begins to edit and complete the manuscript, driven by a sense of duty and the belief that she can bring Athena’s work to fruition.

With the manuscript complete, Juniper submits it to her literary agent, Brett Adams, under her own name. The book receives immediate attention from publishers, leading to a lucrative deal with Eden Press. Juniper’s success brings her the recognition and financial stability she has long desired, but it also leaves her grappling with the moral implications of her actions and the weight of living Athena’s life.

Still reeling from the emotional turmoil of Athena Liu’s death, Juniper Song delves into her rationale for completing and publishing Athena’s unfinished manuscript, The Last Front, under her own name. She defends her actions by framing them as a form of literary collaboration rather than simple plagiarism, emphasizing the extensive work she put into editing and completing the chaotic early drafts. Juniper argues that she gave the manuscript a chance to be appreciated without the stigma of being a half-finished work, and she believes that Athena might have even approved of the literary hoax, given her interest in how author identity affects perception. Reflecting on the process, Juniper realizes that editing Athena’s work has improved her own writing skills and reignited her passion for writing. She draws a parallel to a former Yale girlfriend’s philosophical views on the moral obligations to the dead, further justifying her decision.

Juniper reflects on the publishing process for The Last Front, detailing the extensive editing and rewriting she undertook to transform Athena Liu’s unfinished manuscript into a marketable and engaging novel. Her editor at Eden Press, Daniella Woodhouse, provides detailed feedback, pushing Juniper to clarify cultural references, soften language, and streamline the narrative. Juniper’s edits aim to make the story more accessible and commercially viable, often altering Athena’s original content significantly, including softening racial stereotypes and reworking the ending to focus on a single character’s journey. To strengthen her public image and deflect suspicion, Juniper strategically crafts her connection to Athena. Later, she visits Mrs. Liu to dissuade her from donating Athena’s notebooks to Yale’s Marlin Literary Archive, a move that could expose Juniper’s deception.

Still reeling from the intense editing process and the successful launch of The Last Front, Juniper attends her first videoconference meeting with her new publicity and marketing teams at Eden Press. The team greets her with enthusiasm and presents detailed plans for promoting the book, including social media campaigns and strategic bookstore placements. However, the meeting takes a tense turn when the team raises concerns about cultural authenticity and potential backlash due to Juniper’s non-Chinese background. Juniper firmly addresses these concerns, and the team decides to position her as 'worldly' to deflect any criticism. Candice Lee, an editorial assistant, continues to push for a sensitivity reader, leading to a conflict with Juniper and her team.

Still reeling from the mixed reactions at her videoconference meeting, Juniper reflects on the stark contrast between the launch days of her first book, Over the Sycamore, and her latest, The Last Front. While her first book release was a letdown, The Last Front’s launch is met with overwhelming enthusiasm and success. She receives a crate of champagne from Eden Press, her Instagram post garners thousands of likes, and her book is featured in major publications like NPR, the New York Times, and the Washington Post.

The night of her launch event at Politics and Prose, Juniper is greeted by a packed house, a stark contrast to her previous empty readings. She delivers a powerful reading and handles the Q&A with grace and wit, solidifying her status as a literary star. However, her triumph is marred by the sudden appearance of Athena in the audience, dressed in her signature emerald-green shawl. Juniper is thrown into a panic, struggling to maintain her composure as she desperately tries to understand if anyone else has noticed Athena’s presence.

After the event, Juniper’s anxiety and panic intensify. She searches frantically on social media for any mention of Athena, but finds nothing. The only reference is a tweet suggesting that Athena’s spirit seemed to be in the room with them. Juniper’s mental state deteriorates as she grapples with the impossible sight of her deceased friend, leading to a full-blown panic attack.

Juniper's novel, The Last Front, reaches number three on the New York Times Bestseller List, marking her as a major success. She receives an outpouring of congratulations and celebrates her achievement with small luxuries, such as cupcakes and a new MacBook Pro. Her newfound status brings her invitations to prestigious literary events, where she is now treated with respect and admiration, a stark contrast to her previous experiences as an unknown author.

At one of these events, Juniper encounters her former editor, Garrett, who tries to make amends. Juniper, feeling a sense of vindication, subtly highlights her success without outright gloating. She also meets other bestselling authors, including Marnie Kimball, Jen Walker, and Heidi Steel, who discuss the publishing industry and the challenges faced by debut authors. Juniper feels a sense of belonging and importance among these literary giants.

Determined to pay things forward, Juniper donates to the Asian American Writers’ Collective and mentors a young writer named Emmy Cho. During their first mentoring session, Emmy asks if Juniper is white, which catches Juniper off guard and makes her defensive. Despite this, Juniper reassures Emmy of the industry’s growing interest in diverse voices and encourages her to keep writing.

Amid the rising popularity of The Last Front, Juniper faces a wave of harsh criticism from various online platforms. Despite the majority of positive reviews, a few scathing critiques from Adele Sparks-Sato and Xiao Chen question the authenticity and cultural sensitivity of her work. Juniper is particularly stung by a YouTube video by Kimberly Deng and a Substack essay by Xiao Chen, both of which attack her portrayal of Chinese laborers and her background. Rehearsing arguments in her head to counter her critics, Juniper finds herself confronting a hostile audience member at a historical fiction speaker series in Cambridge. Reflecting on her past visit to a Korean War exhibit with Athena, Juniper is reminded of Athena's method of collecting and exploiting stories of suffering, a practice that now haunts her.

Following the backlash from the Cambridge event, Juniper faces a new wave of criticism on social media, particularly from Lily Wu, who accuses her of being a disingenuous ally and an oblivious White woman. Despite the negative comments, Juniper receives an invitation from Susan Lee, the events coordinator for the Rockville chapter of the Chinese American Social Club, to speak at one of their meetings. Feeling the pressure to prove her commitment to the Asian American community, Juniper agrees to attend, despite her initial reservations about the event's location and lack of compensation.

At the event, Juniper is met with a warm but awkward reception. She gives a reading from her book, which is well-received, and answers questions from the audience, many of which are gentle and supportive. However, the atmosphere becomes tense when she reveals that she is not Chinese, leading to a moment of stunned silence. Despite the awkwardness, Juniper connects with Mr. James Lee, an elderly man whose uncle was part of the Chinese Labour Corps. Mr. Lee expresses deep gratitude for her telling their story, and Juniper feels a profound sense of guilt and shame, realizing the weight of her actions.

Unable to bear the kindness and expectations of the community, Juniper makes a hasty and uncomfortable exit, citing a fabricated reason about picking up her mother from the airport. She leaves the event feeling deeply conflicted and ashamed, fleeing the scene before anyone can stop her.

Still reeling from the backlash at the Chinese American Social Club event, Juniper decides to decline most public appearances, focusing instead on awards ceremonies where she can bask in the validation of winning. Her book, The Last Front, is nominated for numerous awards, including the Goodreads Choice Awards and the Indies Choice Book Awards, which bring a significant sales boost and positive press. Hollywood interest in the book grows, leading to a meeting with Greenhouse Productions, a production company known for its diverse projects. At the meeting, Juniper discusses potential film adaptations with Justin and Harvey from Greenhouse Productions, navigating the complex landscape of success and the ethics of representation.

The emergence of a Twitter account, @AthenaLiusGhost, accuses Juniper Song of stealing Athena Liu's book, The Last Front, and of being a white woman pretending to be Chinese American. The account gains traction quickly, with retweets and responses from various online personalities, leading to a flood of hateful messages and accusations directed at Juniper. Overwhelmed by the backlash, Juniper experiences a panic attack and becomes fixated on the Twitter thread. She contacts Brett Adams for advice, who suggests ignoring the trolls, but the scandal continues to grow, with high-profile writers and social media users weighing in on the controversy.

Following the Twitter scandal, Juniper is forced to fulfill two prior commitments: a library visit with third-grade students in DC and a panel at a Virginia literary festival. The library visit is a breath of fresh air; the young students are too young to be interested in The Last Front or the Twitter drama, and they ask Juniper innocent questions about her writing process. However, the panel at the literary festival turns into a nightmare. Juniper arrives late, causing immediate tension with the other panelists. Despite her attempts to engage, Ailin Zhou and Diana Qiu are particularly hostile and dismissive. Ailin corrects her pronunciation of her name, which Juniper awkwardly tries to joke about, but it only makes the situation worse. Diana Qiu confronts Juniper about the allegations of plagiarism and cultural fraud, and the audience and other panelists openly show their disapproval. Annie, the moderator, tries to keep the discussion on track, but the damage is done. The panel devolves into an uncomfortable and tense environment, with Juniper feeling humiliated and on the verge of tears. She leaves the panel as quickly as possible, feeling devastated and humiliated. Back home, Juniper finds solace in the support of her online fans, the Eden’s Angels, who criticize Diana Qiu’s behavior and art, boosting Juniper’s spirits and reinforcing her belief that her critics are simply jealous.

Juniper visits her sister Rory and brother-in-law Tom in Alexandria for a family grill. Despite their differing lifestyles, Juniper finds comfort in the simplicity and affection of their relationship. She explains her recent troubles with @AthenaLiusGhost to Tom, who agrees to help her trace the IP address of the account if she can provide it.

Back home, Juniper creates a fake website and Twitter account to lure @AthenaLiusGhost into clicking a link, hoping to trace the IP address. While waiting for a response, she notices that the discourse has shifted to criticizing Athena Liu, with accusations of cultural insensitivity and historical inaccuracy. Juniper finds this shift satisfying, as it complicates the narrative and undercuts the authority of her detractors.

@AthenaLiusGhost eventually responds to Juniper's bait, and she sends the IP address to Tom. Tom confirms that the account is based in Fairfax, Virginia, which Juniper recognizes as the home of Geoffrey Carlino. This discovery sets the stage for the next confrontation.

Juniper reflects on the tumultuous history of Athena and Geoffrey Carlino's relationship, tracing their rise and fall from grace. Geoffrey, once a promising young writer, saw his career falter after a series of missteps, including a poorly received debut novel and a public breakup with Athena. Convinced that Geoffrey is behind the @AthenaLiusGhost account, Juniper decides to confront him directly. She sends Geoffrey a message and arranges a meeting at Coco’s Coffee in Tyson’s Corner.

At the coffee shop, Juniper takes an aggressive stance, challenging Geoffrey’s accusations. Geoffrey claims he has evidence that Juniper stole Athena’s manuscript, but Juniper remains composed and pushes back, suggesting that Geoffrey is just making things up to get a reaction. The tension escalates, and Geoffrey begins to blackmail Juniper, demanding a cut of her book’s royalties. Juniper, however, is prepared and reveals that she has been recording the conversation. She threatens to expose Geoffrey’s blackmail attempt, which causes him to back down.

After the confrontation, Juniper crafts a public statement to address the allegations, which she posts on her author website and Twitter. The response is initially mixed, but the tide of public opinion gradually shifts in her favor. The @AthenaLiusGhost account disappears, and the scandal begins to dissipate. Juniper’s agent, Brett, informs her that Greenhouse Productions has made an offer for the film rights to The Last Front, signaling a return to normalcy for Juniper.

Still reeling from the intense confrontation with Geoffrey, Juniper reflects on the fading attention and success of The Last Front, feeling a growing anxiety as she watches her literary prominence wane. Despite the initial relief of the @AthenaLiusGhost scandal fading, Juniper is now concerned about becoming irrelevant. She notes the rise of a new, younger author, Kimmy Kai, and the pressure to stay relevant in the literary world. Her anxiety is further heightened when her mentee, Emmy Cho, secures a deal with Athena’s former agent, stirring fears of being surpassed by the next generation of writers.

Brett calls to check on Juniper's progress with her next book, expressing concern about her writer's block. Juniper admits to Brett that she has no new ideas, despite the pressure to produce something quickly to maintain her literary standing. Her attempts to write are hampered by the persistent voice of Athena, which criticizes every idea and sentence she tries to craft. This internal struggle with Athena’s ghost is intensifying, making it nearly impossible for Juniper to write anything that feels genuine or original.

Juniper confesses that she took more than just The Last Front from Athena’s apartment that night; she also took some of Athena’s early brainstorming papers. These papers, filled with Athena’s notes and doodles, inspire Juniper to start a new project, Mother Witch. The story pours out of her, and she feels a renewed sense of creativity and purpose. However, this project is haunted by the ethical ambiguity of using Athena’s notes, and Juniper grapples with the guilt of this potential betrayal.

Mother Witch is published to moderate success, receiving critical acclaim but modest sales. Juniper’s tour is well-attended, and the critical reception is positive, with reviews praising her ability to handle mature themes. Despite this, Juniper remains uneasy, sensing that the calm is temporary. She reflects on a past incident where Athena allegedly stole a story from her, a betrayal that fuels her current actions. Juniper’s relief at the positive reception is tinged with the knowledge that her peace might be short-lived, as the ghost of Athena continues to loom over her.

Following the publication of Mother Witch, Adele Sparks-Sato publishes a blog post alleging that the novella’s opening paragraph is plagiarized from an unpublished story by Athena Liu. Juniper is devastated and decides to retreat from social media, shutting down her Twitter account and setting her Instagram to private. She drinks heavily to cope with the fallout, watching old episodes of Friends as the internet erupts with criticism and backlash.

The next morning, Juniper finds herself losing followers and facing more public scrutiny. She deletes her social media accounts to protect herself from death threats and further attacks. Her relationships with colleagues and mentees, including Emmy Cho, deteriorate rapidly. Juniper is forced to confront the reality that her professional network is crumbling, leaving her isolated and desperate.

Juniper attends a videoconference with her team at Eden Press, where they discuss the allegations and possible actions to take. Despite her protests of innocence, the team remains skeptical and emphasizes the need for damage control. They suggest a statement and a focus on new, non-Athena-related work. Juniper learns that the controversy has unexpectedly boosted her book sales, thanks to right-wing commentators framing the issue as a culture war.

Later that night, Juniper receives a call from Athena’s mother, Patricia Liu. Patricia reveals that Adele Sparks-Sato has reached out to her, seeking access to Athena’s notebooks for evidence. Juniper, torn between guilt and self-preservation, convinces Patricia to keep the notebooks from Adele. Patricia, seemingly unwilling to confront the contents of Athena’s notebooks, agrees, effectively protecting Juniper’s secret.

By the end of the month, Juniper is a pariah, reviled by the internet and an embarrassment to the publishing industry. Despite the backlash, her books continue to sell well, thanks to the alt-right framing her as a victim of cancel culture. Brett informs her that her sales have doubled, and she’s considering whether to continue writing or pursue a more stable career path, such as law or business. Juniper, however, is plagued by writer's block and the pressure to produce new content for Daniella. She explores various ideas, including stories inspired by Chinese history, but finds them either too derivative or too daunting. Her attempt to gather inspiration by visiting DC's Chinatown ends in humiliation when a waitress recognizes her and accuses her of stealing Athena's work, causing her to be asked to leave the restaurant. Brett starts pushing Juniper to consider intellectual property (IP) work, suggesting she write for a company called Snowglobe. The project involves a dystopian novel about the one-child policy in China, which Juniper finds deeply problematic and potentially career-ending. She refuses the offer, despite Brett's insistence that it could rescue her career.

In July, Juniper travels to Massachusetts to teach at the Young AAPI Writers’ Workshop, the only program that has invited her back since the Adele Sparks-Sato blog post. Her other engagements have dried up, and she hopes this will provide a distraction and a chance to redeem herself. She leads a critique session with a select group of high school upperclassmen, including Christina Yee, Johnson Chen, and Skylar Zhao, who all have distinct personalities and ambitions. Initially, the workshop goes well, and Juniper feels a renewed sense of purpose and creativity. However, the next morning, her students are discussing the plagiarism allegations against her, and she overhears their conversation. Juniper responds with a harsh and cruel critique of Skylar’s story, undermining her confidence and turning the class against her. This moment of cruelty gives Juniper a temporary sense of power, but it also isolates her further from her students. Peggy Chan, the workshop coordinator, calls Juniper to address complaints about her behavior. Juniper, realizing the situation is untenable, lies about a family emergency to leave the workshop. She reflects on the fragility of the students and the relief of no longer having to face their judgment. The chapter ends with Juniper feeling a mix of relief and regret, but ultimately glad to be free from the immediate pressure.

Still reeling from the backlash at the Young AAPI Writers’ Workshop, Juniper visits her mother in a suburb outside Philadelphia, seeking solace. Despite the initial warmth of the reunion, Juniper feels a familiar tension as her mother’s disinterest in her writing career resurfaces. She spends the afternoon revisiting her old notebooks, filled with childhood stories and doodles, finding a sense of nostalgia and a reminder of the joy writing once brought her.

During dinner, the conversation remains strained. Juniper’s mother, pragmatic and disapproving of Juniper’s writing, suggests more stable career options, such as accounting or real estate. Juniper’s frustration and sense of being misunderstood by her mother escalate, leading to a tense exchange. Juniper reveals her fears about being forgotten and the pressure to produce new, successful work, but her mother remains unconvinced of the value of a writing career.

The chapter highlights Juniper’s struggle with her identity and the conflict between her artistic aspirations and the practical concerns of her mother. Her visit ultimately underscores her isolation and the deep-seated fears that have been exacerbated by recent events.

Still reeling from her visit to her mother and the backlash from the Young AAPI Writers’ Workshop, Juniper returns to DC feeling lost and without any new book ideas. She spends her days in a state of creative limbo, browsing graduate school programs and reading both glowing and scathing reviews of her work online. One night, Juniper stumbles upon a thoughtful review of 'The Last Front' that speculates on the dual authorship of the book and the nature of her relationship with Athena. This prompts Juniper to conceive a new project: a pseudo-autobiographical novel that will confront and intertwine the truth and rumors surrounding her and Athena. She begins to write fervently, feeling a renewed sense of purpose and creativity. As Juniper delves deeper into her writing, she reflects on her memories of Athena, both good and bad, and starts to re-evaluate their friendship. She imagines the novel as a way to achieve literary redemption and eternalize Athena’s memory. However, her peace is shattered when Athena’s old Instagram account, which had been dormant since her death, suddenly becomes active with a chilling post. Juniper is terrified and reaches out to Geoffrey, suspecting him of being behind the post, but he denies any involvement.

Still reeling from the haunting Instagram post, Juniper meets Geoffrey at a café. Despite her harsh texts from the previous night, Geoffrey shows up, looking exhausted. Juniper shows him the Instagram post, and Geoffrey examines it, concluding that it’s photoshopped from an old picture. He suggests it’s a troll, possibly someone who guessed Athena’s password or a skilled hacker. Geoffrey shares his own experiences of Athena using his personal pain in her writing, adding a layer of complexity to Juniper’s already troubled mind.

Juniper is tormented by daily posts on Athena’s Instagram, each featuring impossible images of Athena alive and well, often in mocking or grotesque poses. These posts, which always tag Juniper, serve as a relentless reminder of her guilt and fear. Despite her attempts to ignore the account by muting it and locking her phone in a timed safe during the day, Juniper finds herself unable to escape the haunting presence of Athena’s ghost. Desperate for a solution, she delves into research on Chinese ghosts and tries traditional exorcism methods, but her efforts are in vain.

Still reeling from her recent hospitalization, Juniper, driven by a desperate need for answers, visits the Exorcist steps in Georgetown, a location that holds a personal significance with Athena. She arrives prepared with a utility belt containing a flashlight, pepper spray, and Chinese firecrackers, believing she is facing Athena's ghost. However, upon reaching the steps, she is met by a series of eerie, disembodied messages from Athena, which seem to lead her into a trap. The tension escalates as Candice Lee reveals herself, exposing the elaborate hoax and Juniper's true confession.

Released from the hospital after four days, Juniper's clavicle and ankle set, and her concussion monitored, she is shocked to find that Candice Lee has already secured an interview with the New York Times, framing Juniper as a thief and manipulator. Candice is also working on a tell-all memoir, which publishers are eagerly pursuing. Devastated and isolated, Juniper retreats into a state of numbness, subsisting on peanut butter sandwiches and avoiding all contact with the outside world. Her phone remains silent, and the only interaction she has is with a DoorDash delivery person. As she scrolls through Twitter, she reflects on the desperation of authors and the industry’s quickness to cancel and forget those who fall out of favor. Juniper considers suicide but ultimately finds a glimmer of resolve to fight back against Candice’s narrative. Her mindset shifts from despair to determination. She realizes that she can spin her own story, presenting herself as the victim of a cyberbully and manipulator. Juniper plans to write a proposal, gather her thoughts, and craft a compelling counternarrative that will challenge Candice’s version of events. She believes that if she can strike while the iron is hot, she can regain control of her public image and perhaps even turn this crisis into an opportunity for redemption and a new career.