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Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Meeting date: September 25, 2018 ;
Star rating: 3.3/5 stars

When New Yorker Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home and quality time with the man she hopes to marry. But Nick has failed to give his girlfriend a few key details. One, that his childhood home looks like a palace; two, that he grew up riding in more private planes than cars; and three, that he just happens to be the country’s most eligible bachelor.

On Nick’s arm, Rachel may as well have a target on her back the second she steps off the plane, and soon, her relaxed vacation turns into an obstacle course of old money, new money, nosy relatives, and scheming social climbers.

Comments from attendees:
  • The amount of wealth in this book is OBSCENE.
  • Money cannot buy happiness - none of our super rich folks appear truly happy.
  • Social divisions and ancestry are everything to the characters of this book.
  • Why would Nick not tell Rachel this important information about his family?
    • Embarrassment?
    • Afraid of women only wanting him for money?
    • Protecting himself?
  • Money = success? Money doesn't equal success? Money does equal power though. Reputation is all.
  • For being a comedic book, this title brings up a lot of issues about class, wealth, and power.
  • Humans create hierarchy, its natural. Doesn't matter who you are.
  • Self-worth is based on how we view others, not ourselves.
  • Examples of marriage/relationships are fascinating in this book:
    • Astrid and Michael - love match for Astrid but stressed (money, family) for Michael (but this might have happened for any partner not wealthy before marrying Astrid)
    • Eleanor and Philip - "business partners" ; "schemers"
    • Eddie and Fiona - opportunists
Lowest rating: 1
Highest rating: 5
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