BOOK REVIEW: CRAZY RICH ASIANS BY KEVIN KWAN

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Published June 11, 2013

Paperback, 527 pages

MY GOODREADS RATING 4.5/5 STARS

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS;

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, crazily rich. 

MY THOUGHTS:

I waited to read this book for very long time because I was debating on even reading it or just seeing the movie. I decided to read the book then watch the movie, and I am so glad I made that decision. This book was absolutely amazing, all I could picture while reading it was just this colorful setting with amazingly groomed characters.

Rachel was an amazing main character. I loved her and she went into every situation head-on and dealt with things in a mature way. Reading about the differences in cultures was extremely eye-opening. Nicholas his life growing up was so different from Rachels yet they formed this beautiful bond that I never wanted to see end.

Overall I highly recommend reading the book before seeing the movie, but I don’t know if that would make any difference other than how you visualize the characters in your mind. I can’t wait to continue on with the rest of this series, which I plan to do soon.