Crazy Rich Asians is the outrageously funny debut novel about three super-rich, pedigreed Chinese families and the gossip, backbiting, and scheming that occurs when the heir to one of the most massive fortunes in Asia brings home his ABC (American-born Chinese) girlfriend to the wedding of the season. When Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home, long drives to explore the island, and quality time with the man she might one day marry. What she doesn’t know is that Nick’s family home happens to look like a palace, that she’ll ride in more private planes than cars, and that with one of Asia’s most eligible bachelors on her arm, Rachel might as well have a target on her back. Initiated into a world of dynastic splendor beyond imagination, Rachel meets Astrid, the It Girl of Singapore society; Eddie, whose family practically lives in the pages of the Hong Kong socialite magazines; and Eleanor, Nick’s formidable mother, a woman who has very strong feelings about who her son should–and should not–marry. Uproarious, addictive, and filled with jaw-dropping opulence, Crazy Rich Asians is an insider’s look at the Asian JetSet; a perfect depiction of the clash between old money and new money; between Overseas Chinese and Mainland Chinese; and a fabulous novel about what it means to be young, in love, and gloriously, crazilyrich.
Rachel Chu is a Chinese girl from California living in Manhattan’s East Village while she teaches at NYU. Nick Young is a Singaporean guy who is also living in Manhattan’s East Village while he’s teaching at NYU. The two of them have been dating for two years, never mentioning marriage and keeping any important information about Nick’s family out of conversations. When Nick’s best friend, Colin Khoo, get’s engaged to Araminta Lee their whole world turns on it’s head. Nick invites Rachel to come to Singapore to the summer to meet his family and see his world.
When I found out that they were making this book into a movie, which will be out in August of 2018, I knew I had to read it.
The writing in this book is SO good. This book has everything you could want in it. It has romance, scandal, fun, imperfect characters and a whole new realm of wealth and culture.
One thing I really appreciated that Kevin Kwan did in his writing is when he used words that weren’t in English, most of the terms were Hokkien, he would translate and explain at the bottom of the page. I found this to be something extremely important because it made me be able to understand and grasp the story as whole.
The culture of Nick’s family and his friends is one I have never been exposed to before. I found this book to be fun and I felt like I was able to get a glimpse into the elite society of Asians in Singapore. Some of themes were ones I am familiar with such as family bloodlines and coming from a good family.
The characters are all so different and I love how the story is written in third person and we really get to see everyones POV. I already have my favorites, Astrid Leong (Nick’s cousin), Goh Peik Lin (Rachel’s friend from college), Colin Khoo (Nick’s best friend) and Rachel and Nick. I really didnt like Nick’s mom, but she wasn’t meant to be a likable character.
The one complaint I have is how long the books was. It was over 400 pages and it did take me a while to finish.
If you’re looking for a fun, dramatic, just plain great read before the summer I really recommend this one.
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