Scan barcode
rose508's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
dakotamadison19's review against another edition
medium-paced
5.0
Love how this is written. The multiple povs are my fav kind of stories
chloerachel's review against another edition
relaxing
medium-paced
3.0
Wasn’t terrible, wasn’t very gripping. Glad I listened, it played like a reality tv show and it was interesting to hear about something I haven’t heard about before, but overall the book can be defined as “fine.”
abeth380's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
3.75
lexithom's review against another edition
3.0
I watched the movie first which usually I either watch the movie and not read the book or vice versa. I loved the movie and I really enjoyed the book but could not give it five stars.
First, the book gives more background which obviously you could fit more in the book than in the movie and the movie itself was about 2 1/2 hours. The characters Kevin Kwan did a really good job of setting the foundation for the families. But also there were several characters that did not need to be in the book and did not add any depth to the book.
Secondly, I did not like how desperate that Astrid was portrayed in the book. I am comparing to the movie but she has all this money, property, and opportunities to be on boards, and etc. but begging her husband who adamantly said he did not want to be married to her. I loved how in the movie she basically told Michael to be a man and he was having an actual affair. It really hurt me to have her depicted in that way. But I did like how she was reunited with her old flame.
Thirdly, Loved the ending, especially the metaphor about the Blue Jay, but I also expected him to propose to her at the end of the book. And I also expected some kind of reconciliation or change happen between Nick’s mother and grandmother.
Overall book was really good if you enjoyed the movie you will enjoy the book. At certain parts of the book it does get slow and you have to push through it but it’s worth it.
First, the book gives more background which obviously you could fit more in the book than in the movie and the movie itself was about 2 1/2 hours. The characters Kevin Kwan did a really good job of setting the foundation for the families. But also there were several characters that did not need to be in the book and did not add any depth to the book.
Secondly, I did not like how desperate that Astrid was portrayed in the book. I am comparing to the movie but she has all this money, property, and opportunities to be on boards, and etc. but begging her husband who adamantly said he did not want to be married to her. I loved how in the movie she basically told Michael to be a man and he was having an actual affair. It really hurt me to have her depicted in that way. But I did like how she was reunited with her old flame.
Thirdly, Loved the ending, especially the metaphor about the Blue Jay, but I also expected him to propose to her at the end of the book. And I also expected some kind of reconciliation or change happen between Nick’s mother and grandmother.
Overall book was really good if you enjoyed the movie you will enjoy the book. At certain parts of the book it does get slow and you have to push through it but it’s worth it.
steen's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun read. It was over the top at times, sometimes crossing over into the unbelievable, but I still enjoyed. The designer name dropping was a bit aggravating at times but not as aggravating as Nick’s obliviousness throughout 99% of the book. The portrayal of race and gender was irksome but I guess you have to let that go to keep reading on. I definitely want to read the rest of the books in the series to see how all these storylines end!
postmodernblues's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
emwink's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
poppyharveyxoxo's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
wucaterina's review against another edition
1.0
SINOPHOBIC AF
So much for being Asian and wanting to increase Asian representation and then filling their own book with perpetual Sinophobia remarks. There was a certain difference between rising awareness about an existing problem and being constantly xenophobic against Chinese people, and the author crossed it way too often for me to possibly be forgiving. I can’t believe we live in a world where Chinese culture cannot be appreciated without the subtle hint of insult in it. The author should have known better
So much for being Asian and wanting to increase Asian representation and then filling their own book with perpetual Sinophobia remarks. There was a certain difference between rising awareness about an existing problem and being constantly xenophobic against Chinese people, and the author crossed it way too often for me to possibly be forgiving. I can’t believe we live in a world where Chinese culture cannot be appreciated without the subtle hint of insult in it. The author should have known better