Integration of nonfiction elements into fiction: Analyzing postcolonial and industrial motifs in Rebecca F. Kuang’s novel “Yellowface”

Abstract

In contemporary Anglophone literature, there is an increasingly evident trend toward the integration of non-fiction techniques into fiction writing. This not only facilitates a deeper exploration of postcolonial critique and industrial motifs but also contributes to the formation of a new model of literary expression that merges aesthetic and analytical strategies. Such a synthesis enables fiction to function as a form of cultural analysis and reflection on socio-historical experience. At the same time, Chinese diasporic literature of the 21st century serves as a vivid example representing the search for ethnic identity within the frameworks of history, national and cultural heritage, politics and more. The work of Chinese American writer Rebecca F. Kuang stands out as one of the most representative examples of engaging with a broad spectrum of postcolonial and multicultural issues within the context of contemporary American literature. This article analyzes how the author employs elements of documentary style to enhance the satirical and critical orientation of her narrative, as well as to deconstruct myths related to authorship, cultural appropriation and the literary market. The study also addresses questions of ethnic identity representation in the context of contemporary Anglophone publishing, thereby revealing mechanisms of power and privilege within the literary field.