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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
Probably closer to 3.5 stars based on the beginning which I would have rated a two, but it significantly improved as it went along. My biggest complaint is the excessive detail in the beginning third to half of the book. So much setup, so many reminders of how rich everyone is. I ended up skimming much of the first section. I would say the book could have easily been edited down to 400 pages from its 526, but on the upside, I really liked so many of the characters, Rachel, Nick, Astrid, Collin, and so many others. And while I was somewhat bored by the excessive and unnecessary detail about how rich everyone was in the beginning, I was really glad to see more depth about the complexity of wealth in the end.
funny
informative
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I received a pre-release copy of this book.
For the first third or so, this book is a basically the author dropping names: names of designers, types of expensive things that rich Asians buy, etc. It is as if the author (apparently some sort of wanna-be Crazy Rich Asian himself) thinks that the reader will be entertained by a list of things that rich people buy (or are too snobby to buy). Which is, quite frankly: boring.
But then the author begins to develop the characters and the book really picks up.
It all made sense to me when I saw the cover quote was from Plum Sykes, author of "Bergdorf Blondes": that book was a list of what the author thinks single rich women in Manhattan do with their time and buy with their money.
What makes stories like "Gossip Girl" or "Sex and the City" is not that the characters are rich: it is that they are interesting (if not always likable) characters who are involved in interesting situations. Thank goodness someone finally explained that to Kevin Kwan!
I look forward to his next book!
For the first third or so, this book is a basically the author dropping names: names of designers, types of expensive things that rich Asians buy, etc. It is as if the author (apparently some sort of wanna-be Crazy Rich Asian himself) thinks that the reader will be entertained by a list of things that rich people buy (or are too snobby to buy). Which is, quite frankly: boring.
But then the author begins to develop the characters and the book really picks up.
It all made sense to me when I saw the cover quote was from Plum Sykes, author of "Bergdorf Blondes": that book was a list of what the author thinks single rich women in Manhattan do with their time and buy with their money.
What makes stories like "Gossip Girl" or "Sex and the City" is not that the characters are rich: it is that they are interesting (if not always likable) characters who are involved in interesting situations. Thank goodness someone finally explained that to Kevin Kwan!
I look forward to his next book!
Very enjoyable read. He nails how interesting it is for us peasants to read about this kind of living haha, and he knew he didn’t need much of a plot to keep the reader. I’m ok with that.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked this one. One of my seventh graders read it this year, so I added it to the list. I could just imagine each part that was “adult” when she said, “This is a VERY mature book.” Yup! I had to keep looking back at the family tree during the book - thankful the author added it. Some things I wasn’t sure were jokes or not, but when I got the joke, I did chuckle aloud. More “adventure” than “romance.” I just checked out the movie from the library today, too. :)
I’m giving this a 4⭐️ but I think it is between a 3.5-4 so I’m rounding up. I liked the book, but there were too many characters and they jump around a lot. Worth the read though.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This was enjoyable. It was a lovely look into a culture that I did really enjoy. The plot was meh.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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:
No