Scan barcode
twstdtink's review against another edition
I couldn't get past the halfway point of this book. Reading Singlish (Singapore and English) didn't bother me, although it made it more difficult to understand what was happening. I had to use a lot of context clues. But I found the characters wholly unlikeable and the plot uninteresting. I felt Tan was trying to make an Asian "Bridget Jones Diary." But all the descriptions of sexual misconduct from her boss and other males, the main character's ruthless gold-digging paired with her gross stereotyping of every other Asian culture around her, just felt icky.
starrysea98's review against another edition
2.0
lmao why was this advertised as modern emma?
anyway, the singlish made me laugh but it did get a bit too much the more i read (if anyone comes for me, im malaysian, manglish is probably worse).
i had zero sympathy for the protagonist and honestly there was nothing much going on in this book except for jazzy and friends getting drunk and clubbing. wouldn’t recommend unless you want to learn some singlish - although, I’m pretty sure some of the slang is outdated already.
anyway, the singlish made me laugh but it did get a bit too much the more i read (if anyone comes for me, im malaysian, manglish is probably worse).
i had zero sympathy for the protagonist and honestly there was nothing much going on in this book except for jazzy and friends getting drunk and clubbing. wouldn’t recommend unless you want to learn some singlish - although, I’m pretty sure some of the slang is outdated already.
han_nur's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
sad
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
ashleyandabook's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
freddie's review against another edition
5.0
The book's description is unfortunately inaccurate, painting this book as an aspirational story with a strong female protagonist. What this book really is, however, is an over-the-top, borderline slapstick satire about white worship and general classism, sexism, and racism in Singapore (and possibly the nearby regions also). The Singlish used throughout provides a vivid voice and an ironic layer to the narrative.
jillcaesar's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know why the rating is so low, it was more fun than I expected. Review to come!
balletbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
#book3 done for #readathon!
A really interesting Singlish novel that follows the efforts of Jazzy and her friends (who at 27 are falling on the "old" side) to secure an ang moh (white Western and RICH) husband. I've read some readers made comparisons to Emma but I was reminded a lot of Thackeray's Becky Sharp. The most interesting (and disheartening) aspect of this book is the way white expat men (and men in general) treat women, as toys.
And don't worry about the Singlish - you'll pick it up after a few pages.
A really interesting Singlish novel that follows the efforts of Jazzy and her friends (who at 27 are falling on the "old" side) to secure an ang moh (white Western and RICH) husband. I've read some readers made comparisons to Emma but I was reminded a lot of Thackeray's Becky Sharp. The most interesting (and disheartening) aspect of this book is the way white expat men (and men in general) treat women, as toys.
And don't worry about the Singlish - you'll pick it up after a few pages.
naaytaashreads's review against another edition
1.0
As much as I want to love this book, I did not enjoy it. I mean it was an enjoyable chick lit for a quick read but the content kind off like throw me off.
As a Singaporean female, I just want to say we are nothing like any of the characters in this book so please don't stereotype that.
I was kind of excited to know that the book has a mixture of Singlish. Which Singaporeans are use to every day life (Singapore + English). There are slangs that we used that is most commonly known in Singapore.
However in this book I think the use of Singlish is just too extreme to the point where I'm like who the hell speaks like this?
That threw me off.
I did not like any of the characters. They did not have much personality or character growth. The characters are just a turn off.
It gives off such a bad potrayal of Singapore females. We are definitely not like anything in this book. I know its a work of fiction and everything but I wish the plot was more in depth of a character development.
As a Singaporean female, I just want to say we are nothing like any of the characters in this book so please don't stereotype that.
I was kind of excited to know that the book has a mixture of Singlish. Which Singaporeans are use to every day life (Singapore + English). There are slangs that we used that is most commonly known in Singapore.
However in this book I think the use of Singlish is just too extreme to the point where I'm like who the hell speaks like this?
That threw me off.
I did not like any of the characters. They did not have much personality or character growth. The characters are just a turn off.
It gives off such a bad potrayal of Singapore females. We are definitely not like anything in this book. I know its a work of fiction and everything but I wish the plot was more in depth of a character development.
tashi318's review against another edition
2.0
Now listen- I haven’t written a review in a while (I’ve been to busy and I’m way behind on my reading challenge so I’m trying to catch up