Books & Java

Crazy Rich Asians 

by Kevin Kwan 

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 Review:

 

This book was not only funny and highly entertaining but it actually has a fantastic plot and great information on Singapore's history. But, oh my God, are the Asians in this story crazy rich!!!! It is a level of wealth that I can't even try to comprehend. In my next life, I would like to come back as a Singaporean heiress. But, all joking aside, the story is redeeming in that in all of the wealth these characters enjoy, the main character, Nick, is far from spoiled by the wealth and is such an honest, humble and all around honorable character. I listened to the audio book and would highly recommend it as the narrator is so good at doing all of the different accents and really capturing the absurdity of some of the characters in her reading. The plot is very involved and you can read the synopsis to get the gist of the book. But, what I can tell you is that this book is fantastic. 

 

I never care much if the books I love are turned into movies but I would love to see this be turned into a movie as I would love to see all of the amazing places referenced in the book on the big screen.

 

Singapore is now on the list of places I MUST go before I die!!!