Crazy Rich Asians -- Comparing the Book to the Hit Movie
After the hit movie “Crazy Rich Asians” premiered in 2018, the book that it was based on got attention from fans everywhere. It’s not an uncommon thing for the original to be overshadowed, but if you enjoyed the movie at all or plan to watch it in the future, the book by Kevin Kwan is a must-read.
The book “Crazy Rich Asians” is almost entirely similar to the movie. The book switches perspectives often to be able to cover all of the events happening in the midst of the cast’s riches. The book’s main event and storyline, however, is Rachel Chu’s sudden discovering of her fiance, Nick Young’s, many riches hiding from her in China. Throughout the book, she goes from knowing almost nothing, never even having met Nick’s family prior, to have to keep up with her now known in-law family and their expectations.
For those that have already watched the movie, reading the book could definitely shine on some of the main character’s personality, since the book is written from so many perspectives. In my personal experience, after reading the book, the decision-making and actions of the character are shined through the movie really well. And for those who have yet to see the movie, the book may be an even better match. The studio did extremely well in recreating the extravagant scenes described from countless money, however in the book it really is countless. With no prior vision of the scenery, your own imagination matched with the amazing descriptions written by Kwan may be the most breathtaking experience of the book. 
Despite all of the exaggerations and uncommon times of the millions they have, the book still portrays and exhibits the East/Southeast Asian lifestyle well. Throughout the book, it uses consistent “non-English” terms, explained with asterisks and explanations often at the bottom of the pages. At first, this made the book seemingly harder to read, but as I went on I found this style of writing helps to connect more to the characters and how much they really differentiated from the characters from America, who often did not use any of the “non-English” terms.
Overall, the book is an amazing read on its own, but if you want to connect more to the movie that took the industry by storm, it should be high on your list.
I found this blog to be interesting. I have seen the movie, but not the book, so this intrigues me to read the book. I like how you mention the connections made between the movie and the differences. I found it interesting the book and movie were mostly the same. Usually, the book does not line up with the movie (vice versa) and I thought it was cool that both were similar.
ReplyDeleteI have watched the movie but never read the book. I was suprised that the book and movie were entirely similar, as with a lot of adaptions that I have seen/read, a lot of stuff usually ends up changing. Kevin Kwan sounds like a really good author so I'll probably read the book sometime.
ReplyDeleteThis book has been on my to read list for a really long time. After reading this review I want to read it even more. I have never see the movie either, but based on your description it seems like it will be just as good as the book and very similar. I am also interested by the fact that the movie was similar to the book which as others said doesn't usually happen. This review was really well written, and it gives me another reason to read the book and watch the movie.
ReplyDeleteI haven't ever seen the movie, but reading this post made me want to both watch it and read the book as well. I found it really interesting how reading the different perspectives of the characters in the novel had an impact on the way you viewed the film itself. I also enjoyed how you compared the descriptions of the book to the events in the movie. The overall plot seems very intriguing. This seems like a very cool book!
ReplyDeleteI've seen the movie multiple times and am a huge fan! I'll for sure take your advice on reading the novel in order to gain a higher understanding of the characters that the movie doesn't offer. I especially enjoyed how you contrasted the two in order to give a more complete and intriguing review.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen the movie or book but I'll definitely check it out after your review. I like how your review is formatted as a comparison, it's very unique. It's great to know that the movie is similar to the book, a lot of the time movies stray a bit from source material so it came as a surprise when you said they were very similar. Amazing review!
ReplyDeleteI have never read the book, and usually books have more detail than movies can portray. Reading your summary makes me want to read this book! I love how your book compares and contrasts the movie and the book! The storyline of the book seems very interesting and I hope to read this book sometime soon!
ReplyDelete- Alina