Crazy, Rich Asians

Sprawling lawns, fancy food, designer dresses, exotic islands, private planes and six-star hotels characterize Kevin Kwan’s debut, Crazy, Rich Asians. Set in contemporary Singapore where the elite enjoy the power of the purse, readers are transported from mansion after mansion with every flick of a page.

The plot centers on Nicholas (Nick) Young, a man born into an extremely rich and traditional family and Rachel Chu, an accomplished American Born Chinese and economics professor. When Nick has been invited by his best friend, Colin Khoo, in his upcoming wedding, Nick decides to bring Rachel halfway around the globe with him, and Rachel agrees. Expecting an ordinary Singaporean lifestyle up ahead of their trip, Rachel is surprised to be riding private planes, staying in expensive hotels, and going to classy dinners and parties wearing nothing but couture. She also discovers a new Nicholas Young, one who is bound to his wealthy family while being loyal to his love. In a world gilded by gold and ruled by the privileged few, Rachel finds herself stuck in the world of luxury, materialism and invisible social classes as she is given a taste of what it means to be carefree and crazily rich. 

Kevin Kwan’s Crazy Rich Asians is a first class ticket to the glitz and glamor of A-line Asia. Intricately detailed without appearing too heavy, Kwan does a magnificent job in creating the plot’s setting. He effectively paints a portrait of Asia’s finest and most expensive treetop realms, whisking away readers in a world of indulgence while managing to fill them with envy in his skilled work of fiction.

Each character is given a voice in the novel, each one equally interesting and different from another. We are presented with conflicts that money can and can’t buy which proves that even the rich can’t have it all. Although quite a few dialogues were notable as being unrealistic, Kwan managed to put witty one-liners, blending in humor with the seemingly taut background. The contrasts involved between cultures were clear and striking, and the footnotes saved readers the time to google unfamiliar contexts. The novel’s point of mystery was quite predictable, and the ending was cut short with the mystery’s revelation. It would have been alright if it were not a standalone book as it presents an opportunity for an equally exciting sequel. To me, the story fell quite flat towards the end. It felt too idealistic, like a typical Cinderella story minus the rags-to-riches transition. Kwan could have written it better, but overall, the novel is enjoyable and recommended for light yet lavish reading. 

Crazy, Rich Asians is the dream novel of the elite and the wish-to-be elite. It provides readers with pages of pure ostentatiousness, taking them to their wildest million-dollar dreams without them having to pay the price. Lovers of fashion and the high-rise life will adore Kwan’s glittery masterpiece. Likewise, readers who are not of these stereotypes will find the novel entertaining and of interesting material. 

Rating: 3.5  out of 5 cupcakes