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chelsiijb's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
ronan5's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
tmej7's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
angelagm's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
alivaster's review against another edition
4.0
About
Crazy Rich Asians is about two lead characters named Rachel Chu and Nicholas (Nick) Young. Having dated for a couple of years (the book says two while the movie says one), Nick finally invites Rachel to go with him to his best friend’s wedding and meet his family in Singapore, where he was born and raised. While Rachel agrees to go with him, she’s unaware that he’s extremely rich, and she doesn’t know that the wedding they’re headed to is considered the wedding of the year. What follows is Rachel trying to navigate the new culture and society that she has been thrown into, while still trying to keep her relationship with Nick as his family tries to tear them apart.
The Book: 4/5
I mostly have good things to say about the book because I found it to be fun and dramatic (you’re talking about rich pedigree families, so you know that there’s gotta be drama), and it also reminded me of chick-lit books! Once you start reading a chick-lit novel, you just can’t stop because you need to know exactly how they will unfold. It’s just as addicting as gossip or a fun soap opera. Kwan utilizes different character viewpoints to get the whole story across, and sometimes the book jumps around in time (past vs. present). With different viewpoints, it gives the illusion that the chapters are like sharing gossip, and I felt it was a clever addition (whether it was intentional or not).
What Kwan did well was demonstrating the big differences between generations and cultures. You have the rigid old customs that Nick’s family adheres to—along with class and privilege—and yet you also have Western culture represented by following one’s passions/dreams. I could easily see where the actions of Aunt Eleanor were coming from, but also where Nick and Rachel were coming from. I was able to connect it to my own life and found many parts relatable. I’m not saying that all Asians will find a connection, but to my family and my experiences, I found many things I could relate to, including some things I have even had friends/family say to me. For instance, there’s a part in the book where Rachel’s friend calls her “self-loathing” because Rachel doesn’t want to date Asian guys. Rachel fires back, saying that her friend must also be self-loathing since she is married to someone who’s white. Her friend responds that her husband isn’t white, “he’s Jewish—that’s basically Asian!” The exchange made me chuckle because it was the ‘silver-lining’ that my own parents and relatives joked about, referring to my own dating life. “Well, at least he’s Jewish…” is a line that has been thrown around decently often. Even my fiancé and I have joked about how similar the cultures and stereotypes are and said it was a good thing we found each other. Another thing that I found relatable in the book was the amount of scheming between family and friends. There’s always something going on, it seems!
I also want to praise Kwan for keeping Chinese words and phrases. This made the writing more realistic and also made me laugh. In fact, it was this feature of the prologue that first hooked me. I heard the “aiyah” directed at Eddie so clearly in my head that I actually had to immediately show my family. Even if you don’t speak Chinese, you can find explanations and footnotes within the book that are very helpful. You won’t miss a thing.
While character jumping is quite fun, unfortunately, I found the viewpoint changes to be confusing. It was really difficult to keep the characters separate from each other because some characters weren’t well-developed, and many don’t have their own unique voices.
The only other disappointment I had was the ending because it left something to be desired. It didn’t even feel very complete. I understand that it was meant to springboard the reader to book two, but I still wasn’t impressed by it and felt it was a huge letdown.
Looking for more of my thoughts about movie verses book? Act the Giddy Goat Review
Crazy Rich Asians is about two lead characters named Rachel Chu and Nicholas (Nick) Young. Having dated for a couple of years (the book says two while the movie says one), Nick finally invites Rachel to go with him to his best friend’s wedding and meet his family in Singapore, where he was born and raised. While Rachel agrees to go with him, she’s unaware that he’s extremely rich, and she doesn’t know that the wedding they’re headed to is considered the wedding of the year. What follows is Rachel trying to navigate the new culture and society that she has been thrown into, while still trying to keep her relationship with Nick as his family tries to tear them apart.
The Book: 4/5
I mostly have good things to say about the book because I found it to be fun and dramatic (you’re talking about rich pedigree families, so you know that there’s gotta be drama), and it also reminded me of chick-lit books! Once you start reading a chick-lit novel, you just can’t stop because you need to know exactly how they will unfold. It’s just as addicting as gossip or a fun soap opera. Kwan utilizes different character viewpoints to get the whole story across, and sometimes the book jumps around in time (past vs. present). With different viewpoints, it gives the illusion that the chapters are like sharing gossip, and I felt it was a clever addition (whether it was intentional or not).
What Kwan did well was demonstrating the big differences between generations and cultures. You have the rigid old customs that Nick’s family adheres to—along with class and privilege—and yet you also have Western culture represented by following one’s passions/dreams. I could easily see where the actions of Aunt Eleanor were coming from, but also where Nick and Rachel were coming from. I was able to connect it to my own life and found many parts relatable. I’m not saying that all Asians will find a connection, but to my family and my experiences, I found many things I could relate to, including some things I have even had friends/family say to me. For instance, there’s a part in the book where Rachel’s friend calls her “self-loathing” because Rachel doesn’t want to date Asian guys. Rachel fires back, saying that her friend must also be self-loathing since she is married to someone who’s white. Her friend responds that her husband isn’t white, “he’s Jewish—that’s basically Asian!” The exchange made me chuckle because it was the ‘silver-lining’ that my own parents and relatives joked about, referring to my own dating life. “Well, at least he’s Jewish…” is a line that has been thrown around decently often. Even my fiancé and I have joked about how similar the cultures and stereotypes are and said it was a good thing we found each other. Another thing that I found relatable in the book was the amount of scheming between family and friends. There’s always something going on, it seems!
I also want to praise Kwan for keeping Chinese words and phrases. This made the writing more realistic and also made me laugh. In fact, it was this feature of the prologue that first hooked me. I heard the “aiyah” directed at Eddie so clearly in my head that I actually had to immediately show my family. Even if you don’t speak Chinese, you can find explanations and footnotes within the book that are very helpful. You won’t miss a thing.
While character jumping is quite fun, unfortunately, I found the viewpoint changes to be confusing. It was really difficult to keep the characters separate from each other because some characters weren’t well-developed, and many don’t have their own unique voices.
The only other disappointment I had was the ending because it left something to be desired. It didn’t even feel very complete. I understand that it was meant to springboard the reader to book two, but I still wasn’t impressed by it and felt it was a huge letdown.
Looking for more of my thoughts about movie verses book? Act the Giddy Goat Review
khurelchuluun's review against another edition
i just felt uncomfortable bc of bunch of rich ppl
zefancifulreader's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It didn’t end the way I thought it would but it was delightfully funny and charming and complete chaos. I loved the multiple POV’s and how the story jumped around showing all the drama and layers of complexity and wealth dynamics.
A funny, wonderful read. I’m immediately going to read the second book.
A funny, wonderful read. I’m immediately going to read the second book.
fxaperture's review against another edition
5.0
Easy to read after watching the movie, a lot is different. Fun read, kept me intrested, high drama
nat_kell's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
bryw4nk's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75