Reviews

Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan

rencollins's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Just not for me, honestly. It felt like it was written for the screen and included a ton of unnecessary details that really bogged down the story. At the same time, the details I wanted were often missing. I would have loved to hear more about the love story and how/why the characters fell in love. But instead, we're just supposed to believe that they love each other and have this developed relationship. 

Also, I get that we're supposed to hate the original fiance, but wow, I HATED him. He's such a terrible person and it was hard to believe that the FMC would be in that relationship under any circumstance. 

mizdoss's review against another edition

3.0

It was just ok. Maybe because I’m not into high end name dropping. The story was pretty good but the glitz didn’t add to the story.

drusmilford's review against another edition

3.0

Much preferred his trilogy.

s_h_a_r_i's review against another edition

1.0

Incredibly vapid, and definitely not as fun or sharp as the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy was.

kdawn999's review against another edition

2.0

2.5 stars. I like many elements of this novel—the lavish descriptions of wealth and the snobbery that comes with it, the inner turmoil of a biracial main character, the fun and ridiculous pop culture references (my favorite being a sex scene in which the main character role-plays as Mary from Downton Abbey). Unlike Crazy Rich Asians, though, this novel doesn’t reach for sharp irony, and beyond the glittering environs and dialogue, we never learn much of substance from the romantic pair. And most unforgivable of all—we have a completely unsatisfying ending, which trashes all the romantic tension built up to that point.

lou_myr's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

kellymarcella's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

rosiebp's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

sunny_r's review against another edition

3.0

I hate self-sabotage that occurs for no reason and isn’t explained in a sensible way, and I hated Lucie as a character, especially towards the end of the book (George deserves way better). Speaking of, the end of the book was so rushed and random and just barely explained what happened that I finished the book angry and unsatisfied. Overall, a very well-written book reminiscent of Kwan’s earlier works, but FAR more mediocre in terms of characters (who were largely one-dimensional and unlikeable) and plot.

kzhawol's review against another edition

4.0

Was good, a bit of a slow read for me. I enjoyed the consistency of the characters, found some of the relationships to grow then consequently crash and burn with no real build up to each downfall or possible downfall. Some of the characters did act a bit frivolous and annoying, even characters of which were not intended to be so. However, the cultural presence, self-formed racism, discovering and enriching the desire to know ones self, and the character depth were all strong points to this book.