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A review by ametakinetos
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
4.0
What an interesting, if highly dramatized and absurd, look into a totally different culture - a distinguished level of the elite that we can hardly imagine, much less encounter in real life. Kwan does a good job of explaining the ins and outs of these "crazy rich Asians" and juxtaposing the generational, geographical, and economic disparities between characters and their respective backgrounds. I especially enjoyed having the foil of Astrid and Michael to show the dangers of Rachel and Nick pressing forward without seriously thinking of the consequences.
But I must confess that in committing the bookworm sin of watching the movie first, I also drew a rare conclusion: The movie was better. Eleanor's cycles of insipidity and Nick's total cluelessness, which achieve satisfactory development and stabilization in the movie, feel unforgivable in the book. While Astrid was still my favorite and exploring her inner turmoil with the affair gave greater insight to her character, having the.
Still would recommend the read, even with its shortcomings (and the odd painful "woman written by a man" moments) for the tidbits of Singapore culture and language. If you don't have the time, though, the 80-minute movie will do just fine. Any excuse to look at Henry Golding, right?
But I must confess that in committing the bookworm sin of watching the movie first, I also drew a rare conclusion: The movie was better. Eleanor's cycles of insipidity and Nick's total cluelessness, which achieve satisfactory development and stabilization in the movie, feel unforgivable in the book. While Astrid was still my favorite and exploring her inner turmoil with the affair gave greater insight to her character, having the
Spoiler
affair all turn out to be some big ploy by Michael just did not sit well. Astrid deserves better! Her ice-cold retribution moment in the movie was so much more satisfyingStill would recommend the read, even with its shortcomings (and the odd painful "woman written by a man" moments) for the tidbits of Singapore culture and language. If you don't have the time, though, the 80-minute movie will do just fine. Any excuse to look at Henry Golding, right?