Jun 7, 2017

Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan

Rich People Problems: A Novel by Kevin Kwan, May 23, 2017, Doubleday
Source: library ebook
Rating: 4.5

I read the first two books, Crazy Rich Asians and China Rich Girlfriend, both stand alone novels though the stories follow basically the same people. Crazy Rich Asians is being made into a major film.

Rich People Problems takes up where the two previous books left off, and follow the Youngs, the Leongs, the Shangs, the Wus, the Bings, and other super rich families of Southeast Asia, Hong Kong,  and China. I read it as satire, though I wonder how much of the super wealthy lifestyles are true - the mansions they live in all over the world, the private planes and shopping trips to Paris and London, the lavish lifestyle, which includes superb Chinese food!, and the other uber wealthy people they socialize with.

The super wealthy from the countries of Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, the Philippines are portrayed in these novels, and famous name clothing designers, architects, and real titled people appear in this fictional setting.

In this third book, Rich People Problems, relatives scramble to inherit the fortune and home of a wealthy Singapore Chinese matriarch who is on her deathbed. Her will gives some surprises.

This was a fun read, but just how much is pure satire and how much borders on truth? The author was born in Singapore. I guess he writes about the people and places he is familiar with.
He now lives in Manhattan.

2 comments:

  1. This book, and the other two, sound intriguing. Wonderful review, Harvee!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Can't wait to see the movie being made of the first one.

    ReplyDelete

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