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 … 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, crazily rich.
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Definitely a fun read. And I loved the movie, too. I was so glad it was part of a trilogy. I didn’t wish to give up the characters. I had to know more about every single one and Kwan fulfilled that wish.
Warning: this is an addictive book
The first chapters were a little tricky due to all these different characters and the Chinese words. I do get why they were used, but continually having to look at the footnotes didn’t help the reading fluency.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading it and laughed a lot. I was a little surprised by the title as it was talking about Chinese people. However, I found so many similarities with my Vietnamese family that it absolutely deserved it.
I was a little disappointed by the end, who didn’t feel like an end. It was probably meant for the reader to read the next book. Still, everything was let too much in the open to my taste. In particular for Astrid.
I gave this book five stars because I really enjoyed it for what it was. Is it a literary masterpiece? No. But it is a fun read and taste of a slice of the “Crazy Rich Asian” lifestyle, or at least a fictionalized version of it. Kevin Kwan has a fun writing style and this book was an easy read to get through with short 5 to 8 minute chapters, which I enjoy when I’m trying to get through a book before I inevitably pass out each night. I enjoyed some of the twists and turns that were thrown in that weren’t so predictable as other books in this style of writing. I have not seen the movie but I could see where this book would easily translate to a movie with some stunning visuals. My favorite part of the book was the cultural references, foods, and traditions. If you’re looking a fun, quick, read, I recommend this book.
This is one of my most favorite books! I was a bit skeptical when I was thinking about reading this book, but I’m so happy that I decided to read it. The characters and the story was so amazing and put together so well. I flew through this book so fast, but I still need to read the other two. Otherwise, the whole thought of this plot is so amazing. I loved the setting and everything about the characters. It did get a little bit confusing at times because there are so many family members of one of the main characters, but the family tree at the beginning of the book helped! I would without a doubt, highly recommend this book to anyone who needs to read a light, funny book.
If the self-absorbed problems of the super rich intrigue you, read it. American Psycho sans gore.
When you’re in the middle of it all sometimes grabbing a tub of popcorn and deflecting to someone else’s mistakes is all you can do to keep the predators at bay.
I finally saw the movie and decided “you know, I should read the book as part of my Family saga category for the library challenge”.
Y’all…
I don’t usually read third person and if it’s not a thriller or romance, I’m MEH. But this was a hilarious, page-turning romp. I especially loved the author footnotes that not only helped to explain things, but gave me a good laugh and how explained them.
Now I’m onto China Rich Girlfriend and let me tell you, it’s just as addicting so far.
Sordid characters, all with their own twisted motives. But funny at the same time.
This was not my usual type of read, however, I heard so many good things about it that I decided to give it a try. I found this story to be cute and funny. I was surprised by how much I actually enjoyed reading it. I liked Rachel but I thought she put up with waaay to much crap before she said anything. Maybe that is me just having an American attitude but I think she should have said something at least to Nick after the first incident. Nick…I am not sure how he could be so blind to everything that was going on but I guess people can be blind to their family and he should not have left Rachel in the dark the way he did.
Even though I liked this book I am not sure if I am going to continue with the trilogy. There is nothing wrong with these books they are just not a genre that I typically grab for. If the mood strikes and I pick up the second book I will let you know.
Greek Yayas, German Omas, Yiddish Yenta, Chinese/Singaporian nai nai … they really are all the same aren’t they? I spent the story hating Nick’s female relatives.
The designer and jet setting fashion name-dropping did nothing for me. Since I have no idea what those names mean, it kind of took away from the story for me. Describe the article of clothing, accessory or piece of furniture by color, fabric, drape and leave the superfluous adjectives off. The author was just showing off.
The story didn’t end, just stopped. I assume that there will be sequels?
Flat-out bonkers fun. We all need a book like this sometimes.
I thought I would HATE this book! I guess don’t judge a book by its cover. This book was beautifully written. The author was able to transport across the world while reading.
So original and fresh, I found it incredibly compelling and beyond fascinating. Loved it.
Kevin Kwan makes me want to go back to Singapore. (It doesn’t take much, but still.)
If you haven’t yet read Crazy Rich Asians – and you should – the essence is that economics professor Rachel Chu gets more than she bargains for when she agrees to spend the summer in Asia with her boyfriend, who is also a fellow professor. Unfortunately, there are a few little details that Nicholas Young has omitted to tell her – like is family is filthy rich, the family home is basically a palace, and every woman in Singapore is angling to get her hooks into him. Also, his mother is absolutely, over-the-top cray-cray. All of which makes for an entertaining read of the highest degree.
What Kwan does especially well is infuse his characters (most of them anyway) with genuine likability so that even when the reader is struck dumb by the behavior, you can’t help but root for them. Also, the infusion of Singapore. I love a book that enables to me to recapture the best of a place that I’ve visited, and Kwan does that so well with the city state.
(This review was originally published at https://www.thisyearinbooks.com/2018/12/crazy-rich-asians.html)
This story is about the ultrarich in Singapore. Rachel Chu, is a middle class Chinese American whose boyfriend, Nick, invites her to spend the summer in Singapore with his family. He has not prepared Rachel for his family who is among the Singapore elite. Nick’s mother is already trying to sabatoge their relationship because she is sure Rachel (who went to Stanford and has a Ph.D) is no where good enough for her son, since she doesn’t come from a wealthy family. But Nick doesn’t care.
The two are in Singapore to attend a wedding for Nick’s best friend, who is Singapore royalty. Rachel is thrown into a huge 3 family triangle of aunts and uncles of Nick – all whom seem to have enormous fortunes. There are few who are accepting of Nick and Rachel’s relationship, and she has to decide if this is a world that she wants to be a part of.
I didn’t like this book. I thought it was long and boring, and had too many characters. And that is saying something because I have read Game of Thrones. This book had no character development and just spent the entire 500 pages talking about designer labels and jewelry. These billionares never did anything but spend money on themselves and complain about anyone who was less rich than they were. The writing was juvenille and when I saw a picture of the author I was surprised to find that it was an adult male. Reading about nothing but designer labels and fake rich people got tiresome quickly.
Skip this. I was hoping that because it was being turned into a movie I would give it a try. But it was a waste of time. Hopefully the movie will be completely different from the book.
Enjoyed the characters, cultural insights, and introduction to myriad plants, foods, designers, and far-flung locations. I read with an e-tablet close at hand.
A hilarious take on wealthy Singapore life that could only have been written by someone who has lived among people similar to these characters.
Oh, and the food is to die for 🙂
Riveting opulence! A fantastic ride into a world that exists on the backs of rumors to us lowly outsiders. The characters take you on a journey, and we get to see the private lives of these upper echelons thanks to the author’s choice to tell this story from multiple perspectives leading up to, and during, the Khoo wedding. I LOVED this book and ordered the rest of the trilogy right away. It was a tad slow in some spots, but only in the sense that you were so anxious to know more about Astrid’s situation, or what else happened at the bachelorette party, or what Eleanor and her devious friends were up to. Fantastic writing by the author, and he makes footnotes and charts to help the reader navigate the minefield that is Nick Young’s giant family. You won’t regret picking up this book!
This was a great humorous read about the Singapore culture and their private jets and tons of money. The protagonists in this story are Rachel and Nick, totally in love but from opposite ends of the cultural spectrum! Rachel Chu is from New York and her boyfriend Nick is from Singapore. They go away to spend the summer in Nick’s home town, and he happens to be the most eligible bachelor there.
Rachel is looking forward to spending quality time with Nick but she gets more than she bargained for!
She meets scheming and conniving family members and has no idea of the wealth that Nick grew up with!
This makes for such a great read with all the elements of romance, comedy, and lots of drama!
Immediately bought the second one upon finishing! Amazing!!