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emotional
funny
inspiring
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a silly time! At first I forgot that there's a sequel, so the ending felt weird. I still think it felt a little weird? Idk. I guess I'll update whenever I read the rest. There are a few things I'm hoping get resolved? My theory is that the other book (books?) maybe have a scene or 2 that happens in the movie that patches things up? Maybe.
SPOILERS
I think it's interesting how Rachel makes the VERY good argument that she wants her children to be able to have a relationship with their extended family like she was able to, and she knows they wouldn't have that with his family because she'll never be accepted and therefore neither will their kids. Very reasonable, very understandable. But she gets back together with Nick and they never talk about it? He even says that he doesn't really know how much he wants to be around his family anymore, but even that wouldn't fix the issue because then they would have literally no connection to his family. If that issue doesn't get figured out I'm gonna be sad because the author could have just... not introduced that problem in the first place if he's not gonna resolve it.
I think it's interesting how Rachel makes the VERY good argument that she wants her children to be able to have a relationship with their extended family like she was able to, and she knows they wouldn't have that with his family because she'll never be accepted and therefore neither will their kids. Very reasonable, very understandable. But she gets back together with Nick and they never talk about it? He even says that he doesn't really know how much he wants to be around his family anymore, but even that wouldn't fix the issue because then they would have literally no connection to his family. If that issue doesn't get figured out I'm gonna be sad because the author could have just... not introduced that problem in the first place if he's not gonna resolve it.
The book is long, that's for sure. But I'm not mad about it actually. No time felt wasted really, which was nice. I just wish the ending had felt a little more like a cliffhanger and less like a slightly unresolved ending that could just be a bad ending but you don't fully know. Yeah. Okay that's all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Infidelity, Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug use
Contains 1 racial slur
adventurous
dark
funny
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
At first I was intrigued by this book, but the more I read the more exasperated I got. It was too long with too many descriptions I had no reference for. I think a lot of the humor went over my head, and I know the fancy references did. I'm sure some of them were satire, but I just don't know enough about anything in this world to get it properly.
I also didn't think Rachel's character was very strong, and she seemed to have a 180 at the end of the book.
The story drop literally less than ten pages from the end seemed super rushed.And her reasoning for breaking it off with Nick is a good reason, and her family history wouldn't really change that. But I know from the sequel blurbs they do at least have a wedding.
I don't know, I didn't like the plot. I liked learning about other parts of the world and Rachel's mom's culture vs the culture of Nick's family and the other super rich families.
But it was too much for too long, my eyes glazed over. I'm sure this would make a great movie because all the long winded descriptions would be condensed down to a frame.
I also didn't think Rachel's character was very strong, and she seemed to have a 180 at the end of the book.
The story drop literally less than ten pages from the end seemed super rushed.
I don't know, I didn't like the plot. I liked learning about other parts of the world and Rachel's mom's culture vs the culture of Nick's family and the other super rich families.
But it was too much for too long, my eyes glazed over. I'm sure this would make a great movie because all the long winded descriptions would be condensed down to a frame.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship
Minor: Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Rape, Sexual content
Rich people be doing rich people things
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Racial slurs, Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Toxic friendship
Minor: Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Colonisation, War
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was funny and mostly satisfying- reminded me of a cross between Pride and Prejudice and Downton Abbey but set in Asia. The characters are larger than life, but not stereotyped, shallow, or distracting. The family tree in the beginning definitely helps!
Although it clocks in at over 500 pages, it is a quick read. The ending even managed to feel a little rushed, but I'm sure the sequels help flesh it out.
Although it clocks in at over 500 pages, it is a quick read. The ending even managed to feel a little rushed, but I'm sure the sequels help flesh it out.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexual content
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
They say that some books are mirrors, reflecting ourselves back to us, and that some books are windows, allowing us to see into a world we would otherwise never have access to. Crazy Rich Asians is definitely the latter in my case.
I have little to nothing in common with any of the characters, so I felt very much like an outsider. That's not a bad thing, in and of itself. I often choose "window" books on purpose, because I love experiencing other perspectives, other cultures, and other worlds! While I enjoyed the glimpse into wealthy Singaporean culture, I didn't enjoy the story itself.
On the one hand, I now want to visit Singapore, eat satay in an outdoor food court, and visit the Botanic Garden. On the other hand, I had very little interest in the main storyline or any of the characters. I loved Peik Lin, her family, and a few other side characters though.
The characters are almost all horrible people, completely unlikeable, and utterly uninteresting. The only character I found with any depth or complexity was Astrid, whose side plot captured my attention far more effectively than Nick and Rachel's story.
That said, the plot unfolds at good pace that kept me turning the page. The book is like a train wreck - I couldn't look away. At the same time, I just wanted it to be over. It's definitely funny, though it's not really my kind of humor. It's intelligent, sharp, and dramatic.
It's pure escapism, for sure, and if you enjoy high drama with low stakes, you will probably like this one!
Ultimately, it was just okay for me. I don't think I will be picking up the second book though. But, it's about Astrid, so... maybe?
I have little to nothing in common with any of the characters, so I felt very much like an outsider. That's not a bad thing, in and of itself. I often choose "window" books on purpose, because I love experiencing other perspectives, other cultures, and other worlds! While I enjoyed the glimpse into wealthy Singaporean culture, I didn't enjoy the story itself.
On the one hand, I now want to visit Singapore, eat satay in an outdoor food court, and visit the Botanic Garden. On the other hand, I had very little interest in the main storyline or any of the characters. I loved Peik Lin, her family, and a few other side characters though.
The characters are almost all horrible people, completely unlikeable, and utterly uninteresting. The only character I found with any depth or complexity was Astrid, whose side plot captured my attention far more effectively than Nick and Rachel's story.
That said, the plot unfolds at good pace that kept me turning the page. The book is like a train wreck - I couldn't look away. At the same time, I just wanted it to be over. It's definitely funny, though it's not really my kind of humor. It's intelligent, sharp, and dramatic.
It's pure escapism, for sure, and if you enjoy high drama with low stakes, you will probably like this one!
Ultimately, it was just okay for me. I don't think I will be picking up the second book though. But, it's about Astrid, so... maybe?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Xenophobia, Classism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual content
Minor: Cursing, Alcohol
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Colonisation
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Racism, Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Sexual content
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I’ve been to Singapore on a layover, but other than that, I’ve never been to the country and wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve learned so much about the food, culture, customers, landscape and geography of this part of the world from this book. This was an enjoyable read and the characters felt well crafted and I was able to keep track of all the players. I liked reading the book, but I feel like tbe movie was better executed. There were a few characters that didn’t need to be in the story and a few plot points that felt unnecessary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Sexual content
Moderate: Animal death, Infidelity, Racism
Minor: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Pregnancy