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katiml's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
anjalisudarsan's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely fell in love with this book! The plot was engaging, I enjoyed how each chapter was a different character’s point of view. And the characters! So colorful and each having their own distinct personalities and arcs, it was perfection! Nicholas Young is a fictional character I realllllyyy liked; he has a history and he’s grown, but so humble and the perfect boyfriend/husband. I also enjoyed Rachel Chu’s character a a self made woman who stays true to herself throughout.
The plot was crazy - but that’s how a lot of Asian families are, I guess, with the emphasis on money and bloodlines. The pictures of Singapore that this book painted made me fall in love with the country and culture. ❤️❤️
The plot was crazy - but that’s how a lot of Asian families are, I guess, with the emphasis on money and bloodlines. The pictures of Singapore that this book painted made me fall in love with the country and culture. ❤️❤️
sarahbethhh's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
leafmebee's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
hamtaro's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
4.0
sdeeim's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
3.5
daumari's review against another edition
4.0
Notes from the reread:
In light of the upcoming movie, decided to reread the trilogy and boy do I also empathize from Nick's point of view where he naively thinks his family will love Rachel, without pausing to think of the [unspoken] expectations they have on him. I also realize that some of my favorite Oliver T'sien lines are actually in book 2, oops. I also recognize parts of the community feel iffy about this adaptation being the big all-Asian diaspora production, but I would strongly push back as we need all kinds of stories- fluffy romcoms, gritty thrillers, moody oscarbait, etc. And as fluffy as CRA gets, part of the point is to satirize how ostentatiously over the top some people are (Eddie Cheng), and how class-conscious others are (Michael feeling very uncomfortable, Eleanor Young's shallow biddy friends, etc.)
Original 2015 review:
I can see why this was the fun summer read of 2013- a peek into the lifestyles of the outrageously rich and famous through the eyes of our ABC homegirl Rachel, accompanying her boyfriend Nick Young to his best friend's wedding in Singapore. Nick's mother combines the worst of Mrs. Bennett and Lady Catherine deBourgh. A sharp satire of today's modern Downton Abbey types, am definitely looking forward to the movie adaption.
In light of the upcoming movie, decided to reread the trilogy and boy do I also empathize from Nick's point of view where he naively thinks his family will love Rachel, without pausing to think of the [unspoken] expectations they have on him. I also realize that some of my favorite Oliver T'sien lines are actually in book 2, oops. I also recognize parts of the community feel iffy about this adaptation being the big all-Asian diaspora production, but I would strongly push back as we need all kinds of stories- fluffy romcoms, gritty thrillers, moody oscarbait, etc. And as fluffy as CRA gets, part of the point is to satirize how ostentatiously over the top some people are (Eddie Cheng), and how class-conscious others are (Michael feeling very uncomfortable, Eleanor Young's shallow biddy friends, etc.)
Original 2015 review:
I can see why this was the fun summer read of 2013- a peek into the lifestyles of the outrageously rich and famous through the eyes of our ABC homegirl Rachel, accompanying her boyfriend Nick Young to his best friend's wedding in Singapore. Nick's mother combines the worst of Mrs. Bennett and Lady Catherine deBourgh. A sharp satire of today's modern Downton Abbey types, am definitely looking forward to the movie adaption.
shelbymarie516's review against another edition
4.0
I felt like the narrator of this audio book made Rachel more whiny than how I read it the first time. But I still love this book.
ranee_samaniego's review against another edition
2.0
I had really high expectations going into this book after watching the movie. The movie was hilarious, quippy, and visually stunning.
The book was, in my opinion, a bit of a letdown.
I think my main complaint with the book was the lack of focus on any one character arch or couple's story. The movie focuses heavily on Rachel and Nick's story, with the other characters acting as well-developed side characters. On the other hand, book had an equal focus on all of the characters. This just made it a bit harder to connect with any one character or couple.
The book was, in my opinion, a bit of a letdown.
I think my main complaint with the book was the lack of focus on any one character arch or couple's story. The movie focuses heavily on Rachel and Nick's story, with the other characters acting as well-developed side characters. On the other hand, book had an equal focus on all of the characters. This just made it a bit harder to connect with any one character or couple.