Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Sex and Vanity

Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan

14 reviews

bookedbymadeline's review against another edition

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I picked this up because I loved Kwan’s debut work, Crazy Rich Asians, as well as the sequels. I was pulled in right away and read this pretty quickly because it’s a lighthearted, modern homage to A Room With a View! I haven’t read Room With a View yet but it’s high on my classics TBR.

In Sex and Vanity we go from Capri, Italy in part 1 of the novel and then jump 5 years later to NYC for part 2. I enjoyed Capri a lot more, but the NYC chapters grew on me after a few chapters.

For the most part, I liked the characters! They were all well written and complex, although some of them (Lucie) annoyed me at times 😅 But I did love how outrageous some of the characters were and it made for an entertaining read!

The one thing that really bugged me was with each new character introduced, Kwan writes out EVERY school they went to from Pre K to college 🙃 it got annoying very quickly, like all the labels and pop culture references could be a bit much at times and unfortunately will end up dating the book in years to come. The name dropping/brand insertions were numerous and felt like Kwan was trying to reach the word count for an essay 🙈

Kwan also adds footnotes (just like in Crazy Rich Asians), but this time I didn’t enjoy them as much. Sometimes they were contradictions or clarifications for something a character said, instead of informational, and meant to be funny-which felt forced/unnecessary and didn’t hit the same way they did in CRA (or like I think Kwan expected).

The ending was really well done! It left things sort of open ended but also wrapped up in a sense, it was a satisfying ending for the novel. It’s a fun, quick read that I enjoyed but I think Kwan’s Crazy Rich Asians trilogy is still his best work 💗

Content Warnings

lateromantic's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

2.5

Very fun, very frothy in the best way, fabulously knowledgable about fabulous things like art and fashion and interior design. Plot was meh and very not the point of this kind of read, but I'd have liked to see it longer and have some of the plot beats be described in as much detail as the luscious moments.
I loved how it ended with one character -

Cecil, and everyone's attitudes towards him in the end - he wasn't portrayed as a villain or a buffoon, just the wrong man

Equally, I didn't love the ending for another character -

Charlotte. It seemed to come out of nowhere that she's nice now, and then to be dating the nicest character in the book? nah this bit was very pure fiction happy-ending.

I also loved how Kwan handled the theme of

racism - both internalised and from external sources. He really made it seem realistic what the character felt for herself and how she was interpreting others' actions, and he leaves it up to us to decide how far it was true or a problem that the characters can overcome. Perfect for this kind of frothy read - places you in a realistic world and gives an understanding of serious issues, somehow without detracting from the lightness of his book? Masterful.

My favourite part was the footnotes - charming and informative. I wish more chick lit told me about arty Chinese cinema and European trends in porcelain.

Content Warnings

nouveau's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

andreamargarita's review

Go to review page

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

3.75

I truly enjoy Kwan's writing, I especially appreciate the chapter notes, they are always really funny and while they are not necessary and dont always add much to the story/characters, they are definitely worth reading.
I often enjoy when there are lots of characters to get to know, which this book has, however the romantic aspect of the story just seems a teensy bit unbelievable if not downright ridiculous, the main characters' relationship is basically non-existant and I am supposed to believe it(?).
I understand how George being back in Lucie's life making here reconsider her choices and future, and how that can be messy with Olivia's movie and all, but I refuse to believe that they were really in love with each other since Capri, maybe if there had been more moments back in NY were we could at least glimpse some sort of foundation for a relationship it would make more sense to me. But a handful of interactions in Italy and NY is not enough for me.

Writing/Writing Style: 4/5
Plot: 3/5
Enjoyment: 4/5

Content Warnings

spacecowgirl's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted medium-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

3.0

i don't think i've ever read a book with as many unlikable character as this one had.

Content Warnings

sarahholliday's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted fast-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

3.75

I'm a big Kevin Kwan fan, and though Sex and Vanity lacked the nuanced commentary that made Crazy Rich Asians such a fantastic read, I still enjoyed this over-the-top, escapist novel.

I think it's helpful to keep in mind that Kwan wrote S&V as an homage to A Room with a View. This story reads as a comedy of manners, more concerned with what people do than why. If you're looking for introspection and satisfying character development you might be disappointed.

I agree with other reviewers that, though Kwan does an excellent job cataloguing the myriad ways in which Asian Americans experience racism & microaggressions, there's never any consistent effort to further interrogate those experiences. I think this story lacked an outsider's perspective (like the one Rachel offered in CRA), which meant many of the moments meant as satire instead came off as caricatures.

All of that being said, Kevin Kwan is an "automatic read" author for me. Even at his "worst," his writing is still witty, unique, and the kind of indulgent treat that makes for great summer reading.

Content Warnings

kierscrivener's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny reflective fast-paced

Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This is a book with a lot of disappointed reviews and I didn't hate it. I didn't love it either. But I didn't hate it. It has the same style as Crazy Rich Asians but less introspection. Lucie as a character is very flawed, and I never grew to care for her. I did laugh several times aloud and I appreciated the conversations on racism, biracial identity and how you can be internally racist and that just because someone loves you doesn't keep them from being racist. These conversations were mostly had in the last few chapters but Kwan did show her unsurety around her identity and the racism she experienced throughout but I didn't feel like Lucie as a character or her romance had reached a satisfying amount of growth by the end. Especially the romance, he was barely in it and there was little to root for.

Content Warnings

womanwill's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

2.5

Content Warnings

egmamaril's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional lighthearted fast-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? Yes

4.0

While I was expecting a light and fun read, I was struck by how emotional I got. I suppose I'm starved for representations of Asian-White young women, but this book struck a lot of chords for me. I also appreciate all of the little literature-related Easter eggs Kwan drops.

Content Warnings

mannab's review against another edition

Go to review page

lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

I absolutely loved the Crazy Rich Asians series, so when Kevin Kwan came out with a new book, I was really excited. The same sweeping descriptions of foreign places remains, but I found the book went by quite fast - I wanted more time in Italy and less time in New York. I also found the relationship buildup lacking, as we don’t really see George and Lucie interact too much before we are expected to believe they are in love. That being said, it’s a very lighthearted, easy read that’s perfect to chase away winter blues!

Content Warnings

More...