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anne8373's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
essjay1's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
A Room With A View has always been a favourite of mine and Kwan’s homage (to the book & the film) is a great lighthearted romp. While there’s more than a touch of a Capote style take down of the wealthy New York scene, the book is riddled with pithy asides and some astute social commentary. It makes for an easy, fun read and I’m already looking forward to the movie. Especially if Michelle Yeoh plays Marian.
graham_greene_lantern's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
boniae's review against another edition
Second time I’ve tried to get into this book and it just doesn’t keep my interest
gabbieaschim's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
siobhanward's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I think <i> Crazy Rich Asians </i> worked as well as it did because of the characters. All of them were so developed that even if they were hard to like, they were fun to read about. In this case, all of the characters felt underdeveloped, which meant that this book was just about boring rich people doing rich people things. The over the top, lavish details in CRA worked because they offered a background to a solid cast of characters. In this case, it came across more like Kwan was just trying to show off his knowledge of expensive schools and brands. It felt like a catalogue that had a tiny bit of very predictable plot woven in as an afterthought.
happylilkt's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
While Kwan's trademark footnotes, trashy gossip, conspicuous spending, sex, and profanity are all still here, his ambitious retelling of E.M. Forster's sensuous and class-critical A Room with a View is very different from his CRA series—and in my opinion, is excellently done. Readers who are not familiar with Forster's original will likely be disappointed, for Lucie Churchill's awakening from rigid social restraint to passionate creativity is painful to witness (as it is in Forster's original). But the cringe worthy moments are relatable to anyone who has ever been a juvenile or has ever had social fears.
I had my doubts as to whether Kwan could pull it off, but I'm impressed! I'm rereading A Room With a View soon and this book is amplifying my delight at the prospect.
I still can't give it more than 3.5 stars because of his crude / dishy style, but I'm rounding up to 4 because I think this book is underrated by the CRA fans who had this way too hyped up to NOT be disappointed.
Content: lots of profanity and generally trashy / coarse language as well as a few bedroom scenes.
While Kwan's trademark footnotes, trashy gossip, conspicuous spending, sex, and profanity are all still here, his ambitious retelling of E.M. Forster's sensuous and class-critical A Room with a View is very different from his CRA series—and in my opinion, is excellently done. Readers who are not familiar with Forster's original will likely be disappointed, for Lucie Churchill's awakening from rigid social restraint to passionate creativity is painful to witness (as it is in Forster's original). But the cringe worthy moments are relatable to anyone who has ever been a juvenile or has ever had social fears.
I had my doubts as to whether Kwan could pull it off, but I'm impressed! I'm rereading A Room With a View soon and this book is amplifying my delight at the prospect.
I still can't give it more than 3.5 stars because of his crude / dishy style, but I'm rounding up to 4 because I think this book is underrated by the CRA fans who had this way too hyped up to NOT be disappointed.
Content: lots of profanity and generally trashy / coarse language as well as a few bedroom scenes.
jenniferduannfultz's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
2.5
Readable but I didn't enjoy the story of characters
fkshg8465's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Too easy to expect more after reading Crazy Rich Asians. Had to remind myself that the trilogy itself was inconsistent in entertainment value. Also had to remember that this is a light hearted romance that is supposed to be a guilty pleasure, and in that sense, that was accomplished. Also appreciated the nod to the Hampshire Valley colleges (Smith, Mount Holyoke, and Amherst, though MHC’s reference could’ve been more flattering). In the end, it delivered enough fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Colonisation, Death of parent, Antisemitism, Grief, and Racism