Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Goodreads

Publication Date: June 11th, 2013

Pages: 403

Genre: Fiction

Goodreads Blurb:

"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."

This book is so much fun, its the trashy read that everyone needs to read once and while. I think the diversity is a major selling point, I can't believe that this was the first Blockbuster movie with a predominantly Asian cast in like 20 years or something. It gave me Gossip Girl/OC vibes and I love both of those shows, thus I was obsessed with reading about the rich lives. It follows a large cast of characters from Asia's richest families. They drop money on $25,000 dresses and love buying property. In England a worker at hotel was rude to them, so they bought the hotel just to fire that person.

There is a wedding backdrop, which is why everyone is gathered. The wedding isn't important though, really. It just serves as a way to get everyone together. Nick is dating Rachel, and his mother is investigating into her background. Astrid's husband is probably having an affair and she's investigating into it. There's a lot more subplots but those are the most interesting and the main ones.

This book is not a classic literature novel, so don't read it for that. Read it for pure enjoyment and to break up long reads or just on a beach. Crazy Rich Asians is honestly one of the few that I read because of the hype surrounding it, and felt it actually was deserving of the hype. It's funny, and actually taught me about the racial tension between the Singaporeans and the mainland Chinese. The writing itself isn't great and the characters voices all sound the same, but the plot is the drawing factor and makes for a good read.

My question is how could Nick have dated Rachel for that long without them knowing or investigating her background? But you know, whatever, it's chick lit.

If your looking for a fun, somewhat trashy chicklit read this one. Have some fun with it.

4 wineglasses out of 5.

Cheers,

Jen