Crazy Rich Asians

This is a novel about Rachel who is an American born Asian and by income she is one of the 99%.  She is invited by her boyfriend, Nicholas on a trip to Singapore and into a world of the super excessive rich.  I dare to venture that you've never encountered wealth like what is in this novel.

In Star Wars Luke tries to convince Han Solo to rescue the Princess -
Luke: She's rich.
Han Solo: [interested] Rich?
Luke: Rich, powerful. Listen, if you were to rescue her, the reward would be...
Han Solo: What?
Luke: Well, more wealth than you can imagine!
Han Solo: I don't know, I can imagine quite a bit.

I always thought I could imagine quite a bit too.  I don't think even Han Solo has imagined riches like what's described in this book, or he might have held out for an advance before marching into the depths of the Death Star.

My first reaction to the mega rich world of Singapore was like Rachel's - fascination, amazement, wonder.  It seems fun and exciting and definitely alluring.  But as the story continues it becomes obvious that money does not buy happiness, and in fact appears to attract meanness and misery.  Rachel is welcomed by Nicholas' family and friends, briefly.  Then she is treated as an outsider rather than embraced not only because she is not mega rich but also because she is an American born Asian.  Both points segregate her from everyone but Nicholas.  They are deeply in love.  Unfortunately Nicholas is mostly oblivious to Rachel's Crazy Rich Asian experience.

Nicholas and Rachel are in Singapore for the wedding of Nicholas' best friend.  What an excuse for way over the top parties and shopping excursions.  You'll meet some very colorful characters.  Some you'll synpathize with, some you'll despise, but all will entertain.  And there is a twist to Rachel's story that is a surprise, and interesting to follow to its conclusion.

You'll enjoy this trip to a very foreign country, the land of the mega rich.  Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan.