I received this book for free from From the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Crazy Rich Asians: A Novel by Kevin Kwan Series: Crazy Rich Asians #1
Also in this series: China Rich Girlfriend: A Novel, Rich People's Problems: A Novel
Published by Penguin Random House, Doubleday on June 11, 2013
Genres: Fiction / Asian American & Pacific Islander
Pages: 414
Format: Hardcover
Source: From the Publisher
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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.
Review
Money can’t buy happiness, but in Kevin Kwan’s Crazy Rich Asians, it sure buys everything else. This deliciously over-the-top novel throws us into the deep end of Singapore’s ultra-wealthy swimming pool, where private jets are like Ubers and wedding budgets rival small countries’ GDPs. Our guide? Rachel Chu, an NYU professor who thought she was dating a normal guy named Nick. Spoiler alert: He’s about as normal as a gold-plated toilet.
When Nick invites Rachel to spend the summer in Singapore, she packs her sunscreen and expectations for a nice beach vacation. Instead, she walks into a shark tank of old money, designer everything, and a future mother-in-law who probably thinks Harvard is for underachievers. It’s like Meet the Parents meets Gossip Girl – but with better food and more passive-aggressive relatives.
Kwan writes like a gossip columnist with a PhD in sociology. He sprinkles the story with footnotes translating Chinese phrases and explaining cultural nuances, but don’t worry – it’s more “juicy insider scoop” than “boring textbook.” The best part? Many of these outrageous scenarios apparently came from real life. Let that sink in.
The book shines brightest when it digs beneath the glossy surface. Sure, there’s enough name-dropping of luxury brands to fill a Vogue magazine, but Kwan uses all this excess to explore deeper themes: the clash between old and new money, East versus West, and the weight of family expectations. Rachel’s fish-out-of-water story becomes a lens through which we see the complicated relationship between Asian Americans and their Asian roots.
Yes, sometimes keeping track of the characters feels like trying to memorize a family tree during a sugar rush. And if detailed descriptions of designer dresses make your eyes glaze over, you might need to skim a bit. But these are small prices to pay for such a delicious slice of escapism.
Here’s the bottom line: Crazy Rich Asians is like a champagne bubble bath – effervescent and indulgent, but with surprising depth. It’s a romcom that actually has something to say about wealth, love, and identity in modern Asia. Plus, it’s just ridiculously fun to read.
4.5/5 stars – Would recommend with a side of dim sum and a strong drink. You’ll need both.
