Notes on Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

***warning: spoilers***

This novel is basically a reality TV show but with a whole-hearted, endearing pair of protagonists that I never lost my affection for -- I was rooting for Rachel and Nick throughout the entire novel; Kwan made these characters so refreshingly good and pure. Their genuine character made the novel breezy and light, despite basically being one long episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians with about 30 more characters, 10 times more drama, and exponentially more luxury.

The plot format was perfect for me for no other reason that I have a short attention span. Each chapter was only a couple pages long, each one following the experience of a difference character than the previous one. Because of this, I would get swept up into each characters life whether they were good or evil (yes, evil). The only thing that broke my attention was having to constantly look back at the family tree that Kwan provided for us (thank god) in the beginning pages of the book. Up until the very last chapter, I had to reference that diagram -- I think I was as overwhelmed as Rachel.

I appreciated the gentle movements of the plot. Everything was smooth and mild up until the end; the falling action descended at about a 15 degree angle into an easy and satisfying, albeit predictable, resolution. The read was comfortable while the lexicon was still incandescent. Kwan has a gift for describing luxurious settings, and I am certainly not well-versed enough in such things that I knew what he was describing all the time. On the other hand, basically everything he wrote about Astrid’s experiences in Paris touched me in a way a book never has before.

Nearly two years ago, I moved to France with the most recent year spent in the City of Lights. I absolutely adore this place. This is the first time that I’ve read a book whose scenes take place in an area that I can identify with this personally. I share the character’s deep appreciation for Paris, and everytime one talked about being there, in le Marais or at Centre Pompidou, for example, I could picture the scene so precisely, because I, myself, have stood in those same places. I look forward to reading more books that take place in this wonderful city -- recognizing a place in nothing but words is magical. If you’ve read any contemporary pieces that take place in Paris, please send them this way.

At the end of the day, I’m looking forward to seeing this book on the big screen, to see how they managed to make all this luxury a reality. I’ll be reading the following two books as soon as I knock off some of the others from my To-Read list.