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448
Novel • Fiction
Singapore • 2010s
2013
Adult
18+ years
950L
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan follows Rachel Chu, a young Asian American professor, who travels to Singapore with her boyfriend, Nick Young, for Colin Khoo and Araminta Lee’s high-society wedding. Unbeknownst to Rachel, Nick belongs to one of the wealthiest families in Asia, plunging her into an opulent but treacherous world filled with jealousy and scrutiny. The book includes themes of family secrets, class disparity, and betrayal.
Humorous
Romantic
Nostalgic
Playful
Emotional
562,865 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Kevin Kwan's Crazy Rich Asians offers a vivid, humorous, and satirical glimpse into the lives of Asia's ultra-wealthy, sparking praise for its entertainment value and cultural insights. However, some critics feel the plot can be predictable and the characters occasionally stereotypical. Overall, it's an engaging, albeit exaggerated, take on opulence and familial dynamics.
Fans of opulent lifestyles, intricate family dynamics, and sharp social satire will revel in Kevin Kwan’s Crazy Rich Asians. This novel appeals to readers who enjoyed the social intricacies of Pride and Prejudice and the glamorous escapades in E.L. James's Fifty Shades of Grey.
562,865 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Nicholas Young
An heir to a wealthy Singaporean family who lives modestly as an NYU professor, Nick is Rachel’s boyfriend and brings her to Singapore without revealing his family’s riches.
Astrid Leong Teo
Nick’s cousin admired for her beauty and fashion sense, known for her kindness despite her wealth, and is struggling with her marital issues.
Eleanor Young
Nick’s mother who is very concerned with family status and is initially disapproving of Rachel due to her ancestry and perceived social standing.
Shang Su Yi
The matriarch of the Young family and one of Asia's wealthiest women, known for her adherence to tradition and strict social values.
Goh Peik Lin
Rachel’s college friend from a wealthy new-money family in Singapore, known for her loyalty and style, though often preoccupied with social status.
Kerry Chu
Rachel's resilient mother who fled a difficult past in China and raised Rachel alone in California, ensuring her a good education and future.
Colin Khoo
Nick's best friend from a wealthy family, whose wedding brings Rachel and Nick to Singapore, and who is supportive of their relationship.
Araminta Lee
Colin’s friendly and fashionable fiancée from a wealthy family, known for her generous spirit and genuine kindness toward Rachel.
Michael Teo
Astrid’s husband, who comes from a less privileged background and struggles with feelings of inadequacy in their marriage.
Bernard Tai
A wealthy and unruly party boy who throws a wild bachelor party for Colin, exemplifying spoiled extravagance.
Edison Cheng
An image-obsessed cousin in the Young family, focused on appearances and wealth, often displaying narcissistic behavior toward his family.
448
Novel • Fiction
Singapore • 2010s
2013
Adult
18+ years
950L
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