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Crazy Rich Asians,
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Kimberly Sae-Ung
I'm pretty sure Asians feel about this book as Caucasians feel about Gossip Girl. It's outrageous but it happens. It's not like it's indicative of EVERY Asian out there...
Anne
not at all. The title may sound like it but, no. If you've been to Singapore and Malaysia, you can really relate to it. Also, if you're from a traditional Chinese family.
Megan Aglaua
No. I think it's even empowering than insulting to Asians because it disrupts the notion that the wealth of the world is concentrated in the west. In Kwan's book, he proves that Asians can also be just as, or even more, wealthy than the west. He writes how Asians have pride in their own land, not how Asians stereotypically want to migrate to the west.
Ashley
As someone with Singaporean and Malaysian family (though not crazy rich), I find this book SPOT ON. Kevin Kwan weaves our often overbearing culture into a highly entertaining format and I thank him for that.
Megumi Hosogai
I'm Asian and I LOVE the book. It's hilarious and not at all offensive. I was born in Japan and grew up in Hawaii upper middle class and not at all Crazy Rich but totally related to the book.
Hafiz Wicaksono
Depends. Remember that Asia is a huge place with many different cultural and socioeconomic groups, not all of whom are crazy rich. This book is more or less as representative of Singapore as The Wolf of Wall Street is of New York, or the Kardashians are of the US West Coast. If you approach it as an Asian-American reader you might just find its unapologetic Asian-ness a plus, while minority Singaporean readers (Indian/Malay) or the less well-off might not take so kindly to the book's idea of what "Asians" are like. So depending on how you feel about the book's implicit thesis of ultra-rich Overseas Chinese families as the platonic ideal of the 21st century Asian, you could either find it refreshing and progressive or horribly exclusivist and appropriative. The author also seems to tailor his presentation of Asia to Western readers and has no problem butchering certain elements (e.g. Malay terms and phrases) as he sees fit, so take that as you will.
Disclaimer: am not a Singaporean, but have lived here for a while and known a few residents from the "crazy rich" strata, both locals and foreigners. I do not speak for any of the demographic groups depicted in the book.
Disclaimer: am not a Singaporean, but have lived here for a while and known a few residents from the "crazy rich" strata, both locals and foreigners. I do not speak for any of the demographic groups depicted in the book.
Calvin
I'm sure every race or nationality has these kind of people in it. The variable is just the geographic and cultural setting. The author took a likeable, above average woman into a super rich environs to expose the kind of dysfunction that plagues the human condition.
Amanda
The writer is Asian. Plus you can tell there is a love for the sights and the food of his native Singapore. It made me want to go.
Dana Momeyer
Considering the author is from a well-to-do Asian family, I think you just have to keep an open mind. We all pick fun at our family roots from time to time, and never mean it full-heartedly. The book itself is hilarious and fun. The author did a great job and he even says it's loosely-based from his personal experiences and his roots.
Mary Rose
I don't think so. If anything, it made me want to travel around Asia, see the sights and taste the food. It might be insulting to crazy rich people, though.
Katie
No. It's a good representation of some of the identity struggles that Asian American and Asian people face.
Samantha
I think it depends on what class and sector of Asia you are a part of and where you are currently residing. I can see this being totally hilarious for certain subgroups (particularly if you are an expat from Singapore) and yet slightly offensive for some others (ie if you're currently still living there and are consumed within the system).
Angel Wu
I don't think so. The author picks fun of the Singaporean upper class, but he descirbes the land of his birth with love. Later in the series, the upper class people's behavior is discussed and gets deeper. I am Chinese and I can relate to some parts of it. I especially like the way they discuss culture.
Celz Lin
Even though it’s fiction, it isn’t far from reality. Asia is a big continent with a large population unlike USA. You can definitely find people with the same characters as the book but not all Singaporean or Chinese are greedy.
Ruby
No, I don't think so.
Akiyo Tani
It's actually quite funny. For me it wasn't insulting at all- rather because it has Mandarin references and cultures that do exist in real life.
Michele
Not if you're from Singapore or Malaysia, because you'd get pretty much all the jokes and "Easter eggs".
Vicki
I don't have any firsthand knowledge of this birthright rancor, and thought it was highly exaggerated, until I read the deluge of criticism about casting the movie! The failure to adhere to authenticity in choosing actors to match each character's heritage is as amusing to read as the novel!
Lulu
No, not at all. If you're an asian, especially southeast asian or of chinese descent, you can definitely relate to it (even if you're not crazy rich). I'm obsessed with the excessive amount of dramas, hokkien and malay slangs, and the culture exposure in this series.
Jeri
I teach at a HS in Beijing with fairly privileged students. I have 5 copies of the book and can't keep it on the shelf. So, no.... ; )
Chanteuse
No. It is a pretty accurate portrayal of old money Chinese society in Singapore and Hong Kong, where China’s old money had gone. China today only has new money thus not getting respect and desperately needs image and branding consultants to fit into the world of old money where money can’t be seen and manners are everything, it is Edith Wharton’s world, cruel but truthful.
Beckiezra
I didn't think so, it seems more empowering than insulting, Asian culture getting to be the center of attention instead of a side character, threat, or stereotype. I think it also pointed out prejudices that Asians experience in the West and within their own cultures (oh you're from mainland China? How gauche!).
Nicsssss
No, not at all! I find it super fun to read! Yeah it's outrageous but it happens just like what the other commenter said
Angelo
nah.. its super funny but not in a racist way... There's almost no white people in the book.. is that racist?
Samantha
I think it depends on what class and sector of Asia you are a part of and where you are currently residing. I can see this being totally hilarious for certain subgroups (particularly if you are an expat from Singapore) and yet slightly offensive for some others (ie if you're currently still living there and are consumed within the system).
Summer
I don't think so either. The book is about huge differences within a culture so the uber wealthy presented in the book are just a sub-set of a population. It shows the perspectives of the American born Asians as well who are not familiar with that lifestyle and their impressions of experiencing it for the first time. It could really be any cultural group and an outsider's impression of the "crazy rich" in their cultural group. This book just happens to focus on Asians.
Kara
I don't think so. NO.
Aria
probably not. It is about being in the life of an Asian family. it is not nesessarely saying that ALL Asians are like this, just that particular family. The title does make make it seem like it though.
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