China Rich Girlfriend (Kwan) - Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions
We'll add publisher questions if and when they're available; in the meantime, use our LitLovers talking points to help start a discussion for CHINA RICH GIRLFRIEND … then take off on your own:

1. Consider the book's title: what does "China rich" mean? How is it different (or is it...?) from "Singapore rich" where Crazy Rich Asians (CRA) takes place?

2. Like the previous book, China Rich Girlfriend is filled with jaw-dropping opulence. Which incident, or which character, dropped your jaw more than others?

3. In what way do Rachel and Nick serve as (somewhat) objective observers into this world of crazy conspicuous consumption? To what degree are their values different from the characters who live in Asia? Do they exude a sense of superiority over the others?

4. Poor Rachel has her trouble with secondary mothers: Eleanor, her future mother-in-law, and Shaoyen, her step-mother. Both make life difficult for Rachel. How do their attitudes change and are those changes genuine?

5. Talk about the ins & outs of Rachel's relationship with her half-brother Carlton.

6. What do you make of Kitty Pong, her social climbing and attempts to fit in with the Straits Chinese? Is she a sympathetic character?

7. How have events transformed Astrid's husband, Michael? Is he due a "comeuppance?"

8. Overall, what do you think of these characters? Is Kevin Kwan presenting them critically, satirically, lovingly, humorously? All or none of those?

9. Is there a take-away from this novel and, if you've read CRA, from that novel as well? If so, what? Or are these books simply one of those guilty pleasures that one loves to indulge in?

(Questions by LitLovers. Please feel free to use them, online and off, with attribution. Thanks.)

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