Crazy Rich Asians (Crazy Rich Asians, #1)

#bookreview #crazyrichasians
By Kevin Kwan #kevinkwan
Narrated by Lynn Chen #lynnchen
Published June 11th 2013 by Doubleday #doubleday
####/5

This book is fabulous … as in Fabulous Darling!!! and so much fun! I was quite skeptical when I started reading, as I expected Asian-Kardashian, but it’s nothing like the Kardashians. Crazy Rich Asians is clever, funny, intelligent and very well written. It’s like reading PEOPLE magazine, in your bed, eating ice-cream straight out of the tub on a Saturday morning – a complete guilty pleasure.

Kwan did a wonderful job in creating a family of siblings that are well educated, brought up on good old-fashioned Chinese family-values, struggling with real-life dilemmas (ok some of their problems are not so every-day-life, but some are…) and they are rich; I mean CRAZY rich!

As they try to make, what they believe, the best decisions for their families, they shine in their confidence and naivety. The characters might be rich and privileged, but they are relatable. They experience happiness and heartache amidst all the private-jetting, island-hopping, wedding planning and haute couture shopping. I didn’t recognize half the names being dropped (specifically fashion houses), but I appreciated the sheer opulence of it all.

Rachel is clearly very self-aware and possess the qualities to hold her own amongst these spoiled elitists but underestimates their belief in ‘old-money’ vs ‘new-money’ vs ‘NO-money’ (GASP!). Astrid is by far my favorite, she is a classic beauty, with a golden heart, her feet firmly planted on the ground.

I thoroughly enjoyed the 3rd person narration; this booked would’ve lacked spunk if told in 1st person. I still have some questions I am hoping would be answered in the 2nd or 3rd book. This book left me wanting more!

Narration:

####/5 for narration. Chen amazed me with her articulation, expressions and even singing! Alamak lady!!

Favorite quotes:

“Just because some people actually work for their money doesn’t mean they are beneath you.”
“God is in the details.”
“Soon the Tan Huas began to wilt just as swiftly and mysteriously as they had bloomed, filling the night air with an intoxicating scent as they shriveled into spent lifeless petals”
“Aiyoooooh, finish everything on your plate, girls! Don’t you know there are children starving in America?”

More Books by Kevin Kwan

China Rich Girlfriend (Crazy Rich Asians, #2)Rich People Problems (Crazy Rich Asians, #3)