Crazy Rich Asians

Part Two 
I did not tell half of what I saw, for no one would have believed me. 
MARCO POLO, 1324 

2
Rachel and Nick
TYERSALL PARK

As Peik Lin s car approached the porte cochere of Tyersall Park, Nick bounded down the front steps toward them. I was worried you d gotten lost, he said, opening the car door.

We did get a bit lost, actually, Rachel replied, getting out of the car and staring up at the majestic façade before her. Her stomach felt like it had been twisted in a vise, and she smoothed out the creases on her dress nervously. Am I really late?

No, it s okay. I m sorry, were my directions confusing?  Nick asked, peering into the car and smiling at Peik Lin. Peik Lin thanks so much for giving Rachel a lift.

Of course, Peik Lin murmured, still rather stunned by her surroundings. She longed to get out of the car and explore this colossal estate, but something told her to remain in her seat. She paused for a moment, thinking Nick might invite her in for a drink, but no invitation seemed to be forthcoming. Finally she said as nonchalantly as possible, This is quite a place is it your grandmother s?

Yes, Nick replied.

Has she lived here a long time? Peik Lin couldn t resist trying to find out more as she craned her neck, trying to get a better look.

Since she was a young girl, Nick said.

Nick s answer surprised Peik Lin, as she assumed that the house would have belonged to his grandfather. Now what she really wanted to ask was, Who on earth is your grandmother? But she didn t want to risk seeming too nosy. Well, you two have a great time, Peik Lin said, winking at Rachel and mouthing the words Call me later! Rachel gave her friend a quick smile.

Good night, and get home safe, Nick said, patting the roof of the car.

As Peik Lin s car drove off, Nick turned to Rachel, looking a little sheepish. I hope it s okay . . . but it s not just the family. My grandmother decided to have

KEVIN KWAN is the author of the international bestsellers Crazy Rich Asians, China Rich Girlfriend, Rich People Problems, and Sex and Vanity. Born in Singapore, he has called New York s West Village home since 1995.

A dizzily shopaholic comedy.... Wickedly delectable.... Offers refreshing nouveau voyeurism to readers who long ago burned out on American and English aspirational fantasies.... Hilarious.
Janet Maslin, The New York Times
 
It s impossible not to get sucked into this satirical novel about the jet-setting lives of an enormous busybody family and its infinite Louboutin collection.
Glamour
 
There s rich, there s filthy rich, and then there s crazy rich.... A Pride and Prejudice-like send-up.
People
 
If this isn t the funniest book so far this year, it s up there.... Kwan, who grew up in Singapore, skewers his subjects deftly, stylishly, and completely but with heart.
The Denver Post
 
Deliciously decadent.... This 48-karat beach read is crazy fun.... [Read] Crazy Rich Asians, on an exotic beach in super-expensive sunglasses.
Entertainment Weekly

An unputdownably funny, original, modern novel.... I actually couldn't put this book down to eat or to watch Downton Abbey.
Plum Sykes, author of Bergdorf Blondes

Rachel s squeaky-clean naiveté is a clever foil to the intricate workings of the high-glamour Asian set around her. Chinese on the outside but all-American on the inside, she allows us to see the myriad nuances of intra-Asian culture that the novel goes to great lengths to show.
Tash Aw, NPR
 
Rollicking.... A lively, generous story of shallow extravagance and human devotion.
The Boston Globe
 
Original and fun, Crazy Rich Asians is quite a roller coaster trip. I loved it!
Jackie Collins, author of The Power Trip

Delightfully soapy.... [Crazy Rich Asians] eats its chiffon cake and has it too, simultaneously tut-tutting many of its characters for their vapid materialism while reveling in the milieu s sybaritic excess.
The Wall Street Journal

As spicily adventurous