‘Crazy Rich Asians’

Nick addressed his grandmother in Cantonese. “Ah ma, I’d like you to meet my friend Rachel Chu, from America.”

“So nice to meet you!” Rachel blurted, forgetting her Mandarin.

Nick’s grandmother peered up at Rachel. “Thank you for coming,” she replied haltingly, in English, before turning to resume her conversation with a woman at her side. The two ladies swathed in silk stared inscrutably at Rachel.

“Let’s get some punch,” Nick said, directing Rachel toward a table dominated by a huge Venetian glass punch bowl.

“That had to be the most awkward moment of my life,” Rachel whispered.

“Nonsense. She was just in the middle of another conversation,” Nick said.

“Who were those two elegant women in matching silk dresses standing like statues behind her?” Rachel asked.

“Her lady’s maids. They never leave her side. They’re from Thailand and were trained to serve in the royal court.”

“Is this a common thing in Singapore? Importing royal maids from Thailand?” Rachel asked incredulously.

“I don’t believe so. This service was a special lifetime gift to my grandmother.”

“A gift? From whom?”

“The King of Thailand.”

Vogue has an excerpt from Kevin Kwan’s new novel Crazy Rich Asians, which is about three super rich Chinese families and what happens when an “ABC” (American-Born Chinese) woman goes to meet her boyfriend’s family in Singapore. The Times gave the book a positive review and said that it’s a “refreshing nouveau voyeurism to readers who long ago burned out on American and English aspirational fantasies.” Kwan previously wrote books about Oprah and Elizabeth Taylor, so he already has a feel for the rich. A blurb on Crazy Rich Asians calls it “a Chinese Dallas meets Pride and Prejudice,” which actually sounds kind of amazing.

Support The Billfold

The Billfold continues to exist thanks to support from our readers. Help us continue to do our work by making a monthly pledge on Patreon or a one-time-only contribution through PayPal.