China Rich Girlfriend

June 15, 2015
Kwan (Crazy Rich Asians, 2013) returns with an equally good-natured, catty-as-hell sequel to his bestselling roman a clef about China's new and old money dynasties. For those not cued in, Kwan's tone is breakneck and utterly disarming-part Oscar Wilde, part Judith Krantz, part Arthur Frommer-as he reintroduces his jet-setting ensemble of socialites and social climbers. They include: Nick and Rachel (star-crossed Asian-American lovers who are searching for her father while avoiding his meddlesome Singaporean mom); Mrs. Bernard Tai (aka Kitty Pong, former mainland soap-opera star, who must temper her nouveau urges if she hopes to impress members of Hong Kong's exclusive dining clubs); Astrid Leong (married "beneath" her rank, wears off-the-rack dresses that, on her, pass for designer; her jewelry and class are the real deal, however); plus a circle of spoiled-rich 20-somethings who think they're re-enacting The Fast and Furious. Whenever a character drops a salty Hokkien, Cantonese, or Mandarin phrase or an unfamiliar reference, Kwan translates in a wry footnote (a device he used to great effect in his previous book). Occasionally the sendups of squillionaire excess fall a little flat: "Look-it's a koi pond," gasps Rachel as she absorbs the decor of her Shanghai host's private jet. "God, you scared me. For a moment I thought something was wrong," answers her fiance, Nick, who stands to inherit one of China's great fortunes but prefers teaching undergrads at NYU. "You don't think anything's wrong?" Rachel presses. No wonder Nick's mom, the not-to-be-bested Eleanor Young, tries her utmost to topple their engagement! (Until she stumbles onto the true identity of Rachel's birth father-and is now using it to reel her son home to face up to his privileged heritage, with unanticipated results.) Most hilarious when he's parodying uber-rich Chinese aunties who'd "rather camp out six to a room or sleep on the floor than spend money on hotels" and professional image consultants who help clients "take [their] most embarrassing biographical details and turn them into assets," Kwan keeps more than a few plot resolutions in the air but delivers at least one priceless declaration of love: "The bathroom [renovation] is fully funded....Now please pick out a dress." Over-the-top and hard to stop. A third installment is promised.

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May 15, 2015
The sequel to Crazy Rich Asians (2013) plunges readers back into the opulent lifestyles and torrid love affairs of the fabulously wealthy Chinese expats Kwan introduced in her debut. History professor Nick Young defies his mother, Eleanor, to marry his American girlfriend, Rachel Chu, but Eleanor surprises everyone when she shows up at their secret wedding with Rachel's birth father in tow. After meeting her father for the first time, Rachel is surprised to learn she has a younger half brother, Carlton, and she and Nick are soon swept up in Carlton's chaotic life, as well as that of his super-rich, trendsetter girlfriend, Colette. Nick's cousin, Astrid, tries to ignore the flaws in her marriage and the increasingly erratic behavior of her husband even as she confides in an ex-lover, while social climber Kitty Pong attempts to reinvent herself in the hopes of being accepted into the upper echelons of high society. Lovers of clothes, cuisine, and cars will find themselves at home in Kwan's second smart and snarky send-up of the Chinese jet set.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2015

Crazy good fun with a smart social sting, Kwan's Crazy Rich Asians reveals New Yorker Rachel Chu's shock when she agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with boyfriend Nicholas Young and learns that he's stratospherically rich. In this follow-up, Rachel is now engaged to Nicholas, who's ready to ditch his entire fortune for her, and has had the shock of her life when she finally discovers her birth father. Crazy Rich Asians buzzed big; lots of promotion, including (no surprise) giveaways on the Hampton Jitney.

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from May 1, 2015

Kwan's latest follows in the footsteps of his wildly imaginative Crazy Rich Asians but adds even more conspicuous consumption and over-the-top behavior. Readers will rejoin many of the author's amusingly charming (and some not so) characters and meet some new individuals as well. The book is resplendent with gorgeous description, whether it's various locales' natural beauty or man-made palatial homes, restaurants, and private jets. The dialog is always top-notch. There are many fascinating substories; for example, the lovely Rachel Chu finally finds her birth father. Also, former soap-opera star Kitty Pong--now Kitty Pai--hires Corinna Ko-Tung to "remake" her and becomes most respectable. A sprinkling of footnotes adds local expressions, insightful asides, and Kwan's own snarky personal comments. Among the many laugh-out-loud incidents are examples of the extreme cheapness of some of these ultrawealthy people and tidbits about their staff: "He tried to steal some of his Ah Ma's impeccably trained staff while in Singapore, but those servants were more loyal than the Nazis." The conclusion offers up additional shocks and surprises that will have readers clamoring for more. VERDICT Those who enjoy splendid writing and getting a glimpse at how the other half (probably much less than 50 percent) lives will delight in this book. [See the Q&A with Kwan on p. 65; Prepub Alert, 12/15/14.]--Susan G. Baird, formerly with Oak Lawn P.L., IL

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2015

Kwan's latest follows in the footsteps of his wildly imaginative Crazy Rich Asians but adds even more conspicuous consumption and over-the-top behavior. Readers will rejoin many of the author's amusingly charming (and some not so) characters and meet some new individuals as well. The book is resplendent with gorgeous description, whether it's various locales' natural beauty or man-made palatial homes, restaurants, and private jets. The dialog is always top-notch. There are many fascinating substories; for example, the lovely Rachel Chu finally finds her birth father. Also, former soap-opera star Kitty Pong--now Kitty Pai--hires Corinna Ko-Tung to "remake" her and becomes most respectable. A sprinkling of footnotes adds local expressions, insightful asides, and Kwan's own snarky personal comments. Among the many laugh-out-loud incidents are examples of the extreme cheapness of some of these ultrawealthy people and tidbits about their staff: "He tried to steal some of his Ah Ma's impeccably trained staff while in Singapore, but those servants were more loyal than the Nazis." The conclusion offers up additional shocks and surprises that will have readers clamoring for more. VERDICT Those who enjoy splendid writing and getting a glimpse at how the other half (probably much less than 50 percent) lives will delight in this book. [See the Q&A with Kwan on p. 65; Prepub Alert, 12/15/14.]--Susan G. Baird, formerly with Oak Lawn P.L., IL

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.