Crazy
Rich Asians series tells stories about the life and lifestyle of
some Ultra Rich of Asian families (mostly focusing to the Chinese and
Singaporean families). The series consist of 3 books in total that needs to be
read according to their orders for better understanding of all the characters
and big families relations.
`````````````````````````````````````````
Serial
Crazy Rich Asians ini menceritakan mengenai kehidupan dan gaya hidup beberapa
keluarga Asia yang super kaya (terutama berfokus pada keluarga berlatar
belakang Chinese dan keluarga Chinese-Singapore). Ada total 3 buku di dalam
serial ini yang sebaiknya dibaca sesuai dengan urutannya untuk dapat lebih
memahami keterkaitan antara masing-masing karakter dan hubungan antara banyak
keluarga besar.
1.
Book 1 : Crazy Rich Asians
(Crazy Rich Asians #1)
Copyright © 2013 by Kevin Kwan
First
Published in Indonesia on 2016 by Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Paperback, 480 Pages (for Indonesian Edition)
Genre : Contemporary Romance, Adult Novel
Other
books in the series : Crazy Rich Girlfriend
(Crazy Rich Asians #2); Rich People Problems
(Crazy Rich Asians #3).
When New Yorker Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in
Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family
home and quality time with the man she hopes to marry. But Nick has failed to
give his girlfriend a few key details. One, that his childhood home looks like
a palace; two, that he grew up riding in more private planes than cars; and
three, that he just happens to be the country’s most eligible bachelor.
On Nick’s arm, Rachel may as well have a target on her back the second she steps off the plane, and soon, her relaxed vacation turns into an obstacle course of old money, new money, nosy relatives, and scheming social climbers.
On Nick’s arm, Rachel may as well have a target on her back the second she steps off the plane, and soon, her relaxed vacation turns into an obstacle course of old money, new money, nosy relatives, and scheming social climbers.
Crazy Rich Asians not just telling romantic
love story between its ‘supposed’ main protagonists : Rachel Chu and Nicholas
Young, but also focusing around the life stories for several other characters
surrounding their extended big families and their lavish lifestyle. The way I
see it, this book is mostly focusing about the family values and relationships
between some big Chinese old money families. It is a fun reading, especially reading
about the interactions between all the different characters of those family
members. From the way I see it, this book follow the story around 3 cousins
from Singapore : Nicholas Young, Astrid Leong, and Edison Cheng, along with
their extended families.
The story takes place in year 2010,
and sets in several cities like New York, Hong Kong, Malaysia, but mostly took
place in Singapore. The story began in year 1986 when the 8 years old Nicholas
Young, and his cousin Astrid Leong (also 8 years old), along with his older
cousin Edison Cheng, 12 years old, and their mothers arrive in London, England to
get Eddie in his new boarding school. Then the story jumps to 24 years later in
New York when Nicky ask his girlfriend, Rachel to come with him to Singapore
for that Summer to attend his best friend’s wedding and to meet with his family.
Only Nick failed to mention that his families are consider as one of
Singaporean elite.
Well, to be honest at first I’m quite
dizzy with too many characters introduced in the book and how they’re
connecting to each other. But after that I quite enjoying myself reading Crazy Rich Asians,
with so many interesting and eccentric characters in it. I can say that the
book is well written, although I’m not too impress with Nicky and Rachel’s love
story. I’m more invested with the story about Astrid, her love story is more
appealing for me. Even cousin Eddie character’s portrayal in the book seems
more alive than Rachel and Nicky. And since the writing point of view is from
third party angle, and each characters gets his or her own tales to tell, the
story is not just focusing only to Nicky and Rachel, which makes their
characters’ portrayal seems a bit flat with all the supporting characters
around them seems much more alive and interesting. But overall I really like
this book and it is on the top of my recommendation lists.
Rating for Crazy Rich Asians is 8.5/10.
Here is the lists of families members
and characters in Crazy Rich Asians :
Rachel Chu : an
Economics Professor in New York University, 29 years old.
Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Young : a
History Professor, Rachel’s boyfriend, also teaching in New York University, 32
years old.
Kerry Chu :
Rachel’s mother, a real estate agent.
Colin Khoo : Nick’s
best friend since childhood.
Araminta Lee : Colin’s
fiancée and bride-to-be.
Eleanor Young : Nick’s
mother, living in Singapore, 60 years old.
Phillip Young : Nick’s
father, living in Sydney, Australia, an engineer.
Shang Su Yi : Nick’s
grandmother, the eldest daughter of Shang’s family, married to the late Sir
James Young.
Astrid Leong : Nick’s
cousin, 32 years old (six months older than Nick).
Michael Teo : Astrid’s
husband.
Cassian Teo :
Astrid’s and Michael’s only son.
Harry Leong :
Astrid’s father, comes from the Penang Leongs, family that have the monopoly
over palm oil industry.
Felicity Young :
Astrid’s mother, the eldest daughter of Sir James Young and Shang Su Yi.
Henry Leong Jr. :
Astrid’s eldest brother.
Cathleen Leong : Henry’s
wife, a lawyer.
Alexander Leong :
Astrid’s older brother.
Peter Leong :
Astrid’s older brother.
Edison ‘Eddie’ Cheng : Nick’s
and Astrid’s cousin, the eldest son of Dr. Malcolm Cheng and Alix Young, works
in Hong Kong’s private banking industry, 36 years old.
Fiona Tung-Cheng : Eddie’s
wife, comes from a politically connected family.
Constantine, Augustine, and Kalliste
Cheng : Eddie’s and Fiona’s children.
Alexandra ‘Alix’ Young : Eddie’s
mother, married to Dr. Malcolm Cheng, the youngest daughter of Shang Su Yi and
the late Sir James Young.
Malcolm Cheng : Eddie’s
father, a famous cardiologist in Hong Kong.
Cecilia Cheng Moncur : Eddie’s
younger sister, the only daughter of Dr. Malcolm Cheng and Alix Young.
Tony Moncur :
Cecilia’s husband, an Australian commodities trader.
Jake Moncur :
Cecilia’s and Tony’s son
Alistair Cheng : Eddie’s
youngest brother, the youngest son of Dr. Malcolm Cheng and Alix Young, working
in Hong kong film industry, 26 years old.
Catherine Young : the
second daughter of Sir James Young and Shang Su Yi, married to a minor Thai
Prince.
Victoria Young : the
third daughter of Sir James Young and Shang Su Yi.
Alfred Shang : Shang
Su Yi’s younger brother, the head of Shangs’ families, lives in England.
Mabel Shang :
Rosemary T’sien’s eldest daughter, married to Alfred Shang.
Cassandra Shang : Nick’s
second cousin, Oliver’s cousin, daughter of Alfred and Mabel Shang.
Oliver T’sien : Nick’s
second cousin, works as the Asian art and antiquities expert for Christie’s
London.
Rosemary T’sien : Sir
James Young’s sister, Nick’s Great-aunt, Oliver’s grandmother.
Peik Lin Goh :
Rachel’s best friend from college.
Kitty Pong :
Alistair’s girlfriend, a soap-opera actress.
Charlie Wu :
Astrid’s ex-fiancee, the eldest son of the tech billionaire Wu Hao Lian.
Puan Sri Mavis Oon : family
friends of the Youngs, the wife of Tan Sri Gordon Oon.
Carol Tai : one of
Eleanor’s close friend, the wife of Dato Tai Toh Lui (a billionaire financier
in Singapore).
Bernard Tai : Carol’s
and Dato Tai’s only son.
Daisy Foo : one of
Eleanor’s close friend, married to the rubber magnate Q.T. Foo but born a Wong,
of the Ipoh Wongs.
Lorena Lim : one of
Eleanor’s close friend, the wife of Lawrence Lim (of the L’Orient Jewel Lim).
Nadine Shaw : one of
Eleanor’s close friend.
Leo Ming : Eddie’s
best friend.
Evangeline :
Astrid’s French Au Pair (Nanny) to take care Cassian.
Neena Goh : Peik
Lin’s mother.
Wye Mun Goh : Peik
Lin’s father.
Peter Lee :
Araminta’s father.
Annabel Lee :
Araminta’s mother.
Jacqueline Ling : Shang
Su Yi’s Goddaughter, the granddaughter of Ling Yin Chao.
Amanda Ling :
Jacqueline’s daughter, Nick’s former girlfriend.
Francesca Shaw : Nadine’s
daughter.
Mehmet Sabanci : one of
Nick’s and Colin’s best friend from Oxford
Lionel Khoo : Colin’s
cousin.
Sophie Khoo : Astrid’s
cousin, and Colin’s sister, her late mother was Harry Leong’s sister.
Dick T’sien :
Oliver’s uncle (Oliver’s father older brother).
Nancy T’sien : Dick’s
wife.
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Crazy Rich Asians tidak hanya menceritakan
kisah cinta romantis antara kedua karakter utamanya : Rachel Chu dan Nicholas
Young, namun buku ini juga berfokus pada kisah kehidupan beberapa karakter
lainnya dan keluarga besar mereka beserta gaya hidup mewah para anggota
keluarga tersebut.
Menurutku, buku ini lebih berfokus
pada nilai-nilai keluarga dan terutama interaksi antara beberapa keluarga besar
yang merupakan keluarga kaya lama di Asia. Buku ini merupakan bacaan yang cukup
menarik dan menyenangkan, terutama saat membaca berbagai macam interaksi yang
terjadi antara segala macam karakter yang ada di dalam keluarga-keluarga besar
tersebut. Dari sudut pandangku, buku ini kebanyakan mengikuti cerita seputar 3
orang sepupu dari Singapore : Nicholas Young, Astrid Leong, dan Edison Cheng,
bersama dengan keluarga-keluarga besar mereka.
Kisah dalam buku ini terjadi di tahun
2010, dan berlatar belakang beberapa kota seperti New York, Hong Kong,
Malaysia, tetapi sebagian besarnya terjadi di Singapore. Kisah dalam buku ini
buka di tahun 1986 ketika Nicholas Young dan sepupunya Astrid Leong berusia 8 tahun,
bersama dengan kakak sepupu mereka Edison Cheng yang berusia 12 tahun, tiba di
London bersama dengan para ibu mereka, untuk mengantar Eddie masuk ke sekolah
asramanya yang baru di Inggris. Lalu jalan ceritanya maju 24 tahun kemudian di
New York saat Nicky mengajak pacarnya, Rachel untuk ikut pulang dan
menghabiskan waktu liburan musim panas mereka di Singapore dan menghadiri pesta
perkawinan sahabat Nick dan bertemu dengan keluarga Nick di Singapore. Tapi ada
satu masalah, Nick ‘lupa’ untuk menginformasikan bahwa keluarganya dianggap
sebagai salah satu keluarga elit di Singapore.
Well, jujur awalnya aku cukup pusing
dengan banyaknya karakter yang dikenalkan dalam buku ini dan bagaimana mereka
saling berhubungan antara satu sama lainnya. Tetap setelah itu aku cukup
menikmati jalan cerita yang mengalir dalam Crazy Rich Asians, dengan banyaknya karakter
menarik yang cukup eksentrik di dalamnya. Dan dapat aku katakan bahwa buku ini
cukup baik, walaupun aku tidak terlalu terpesona oleh kisah cinta antara Nicky dan
Rachel dan penggambaran karakter mereka. Aku lebih terhanyut oleh kisah dari
sepupu Astrid, kisah cintanya lebih menarik bagiku. Bahkan karakter sepupu
Eddie malah lebih menarik dan hidup dibandingkan penggambaran karakter Rachel dan
Nicky. Mungkin ini dikarenakan sudut pandang penulisannya yang diambil dari
sudut pandang orang ketiga, dan setiap karakter pendukungnya mempunyai cerita
yang turut diceritakan di sini dan ceritanya tidak hanya terfokus pada kisah Nicky
dan Rachel, sehingga karakter keduanya menjadi kurang tergali dan agak terasa
datar dan tenggelam di dalam hingar bingar yang diberikan oleh para karakter
pendukung lainnya. Namun secara garis besarnya, aku cukup menyukai buku ini dan
Crazy Rich Asians berada di daftar atas buku rekomendasiku.
Rating untuk Crazy Rich Asians adalah 8.5/10.
Adapun para tokoh dan hubungan
kekeluargaan dalam Crazy Rich Asians adalah sebagai berikut :
Rachel Chu : seorang
dosen Ekonomi di New York University, 29 tahun.
Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Young : dosen Sejarah,
pacar Rachel, juga mengajar di New York University, 32 tahun.
Kerry Chu : ibu Rachel,
seorang agen real estate.
Colin Khoo : sahabat
Nick sejak kecil.
Araminta Lee : tunangan
Colin.
Eleanor Young : ibu Nick,
kebanyakan tinggal di Singapore, 60 tahun.
Phillip Young : ayah Nick,
kebanyakan tinggal di Sydney, Australia, seorang engineer.
Shang Su Yi : nenek Nick,
anak perempuan tertua dari keluarga Shang, menikah dengan Alm. Sir James Young.
Astrid Leong : sepupu Nick,
32 tahun (hanya enam bulan lebih tua dari Nick).
Michael Teo : suami Astrid.
Cassian Teo : anak
laki-laki satu-satunya Astrid dan Michael.
Harry Leong : ayah Astrid,
berasal dari keluarga Leong dari Penang, yang memonopoli usaha palm oil
industry.
Felicity Young : ibu Astrid, anak perempuan tertua dari Sir
James Young dan Shang Su Yi.
Henry Leong Jr. : kakak
sulung Astrid.
Cathleen Leong : istri Henry,
seorang pengacara.
Alexander Leong : kakak Astrid.
Peter Leong : kakak Astrid.
Edison ‘Eddie’ Cheng : sepupu Nick
dan Astrid, anak sulung dari Dr. Malcolm Cheng dan Alix Young, bekerja di
private bank di Hong Kong, 36 tahun.
Fiona Tung-Cheng : istri Eddie,
berasal dari keluarga dengan latar belakang politik di Hong Kong.
Constantine, Augustine, and Kalliste
Cheng : anak-anak Eddie dan Fiona.
Alexandra ‘Alix’ Young : ibu Eddie,
menikah dengan Dr. Malcolm Cheng, anak bungsu dari Shang Su Yi dan Sir James
Young.
Malcolm Cheng : ayah Eddie,
seorang dokter spesialis jantung yang sangat terkenal di Hong Kong.
Cecilia Cheng Moncur : adik
perempuan Eddie, satu-satunya anak perempuan dari Dr. Malcolm Cheng dan Alix
Young.
Tony Moncur : suami Cecilia,
seorang trader komiditi di Australia.
Jake Moncur : anak Cecilia
dan Tony
Alistair Cheng : adik
laki-laki Eddie, anak bungsu dari Dr. Malcolm Cheng dan Alix Young, bekerja di
industri perfilman Hong Kong, 26 tahun.
Catherine Young : anak
perempuan kedua dari Sir James Young dan Shang Su Yi, menikah dengan salah satu
Pangeran Thailand.
Victoria Young : anak
perempuan ketiga dari Sir James Young dan Shang Su Yi.
Alfred Shang : adik
laki-laki Shang Su Yi, yang menjalankan bisnis keluarga Shang, tinggal di
Inggris.
Mabel Shang : anak
perempuan sulung Rosemary T’sien, menikah dengan Alfred Shang.
Cassandra Shang : sepupu Nick
dan Oliver, anak perempuan dari Alfred dan Mabel Shang.
Oliver T’sien : sepupu Nick,
bekerja untuk Christie’s London sebagai ahli untuk kesenian dan barang antik
dari Asia.
Rosemary T’sien : adik Sir
James Young, bibi buyut Nick, nenek Oliver.
Peik Lin Goh : sahabat
baik Rachel dari masa kuliah.
Kitty Pong : pacar Alistair,
seorang aktris soap-opera.
Charlie Wu : mantan
tunangan Astrid, anak sulung dari billionaire dunia teknologi Wu Hao Lian.
Puan Sri Mavis Oon : teman
keluarga Young, istri dari Tan Sri Gordon Oon.
Carol Tai : salah
satu teman baik Eleanor, istri dari Dato Tai Toh Lui (seorang billionaire dunia
Financial di Singapore).
Bernard Tai : anak
tunggal Carol dan Dato Tai.
Daisy Foo : salah
satu teman baik Eleanor, menikah dengan pengusaha Karet Q.T. Foo tetapi lahir
dari keluarga Wong dari Ipoh.
Lorena Lim : salah
satu teman baik Eleanor, istri dari Lawrence Lim (pengusaha perhiasan L’Orient
Jewel Lim).
Nadine Shaw : salah
satu teman baik Eleanor.
Leo Ming : sahabat
(dan saingan) Eddie sejak kecil.
Evangeline : Pengasuh
Cassian (putra Astrid).
Neena Goh : ibu Peik
Lin.
Wye Mun Goh : ayah Peik
Lin.
Peter Lee : ayah Araminta.
Annabel Lee : ibu Araminta.
Jacqueline Ling : anak
baptis Shang Su Yi, cucu dari Ling Yin Chao.
Amanda Ling : anak
perempuan Jacqueline, mantan pacar Nick.
Francesca Shaw : anak
perempuan Nadine.
Mehmet Sabanci : salah
satu sahabat baik Nick dan Colin di Oxford
Lionel Khoo : sepupu Colin.
Sophie Khoo : sepupu Astrid,
dan adik Colin, (ibu mereka yang sudah meninggal merupakan adik dari Harry Leong).
Dick T’sien : paman Oliver
(kakak dari ayah Oliver).
Nancy T’sien : istri Dick.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2.
Book 2 : Crazy Rich Girlfriend
(Crazy Rich Asians #2)
Copyright © 2015 by Kevin Kwan
First Published in Indonesia on 2017
by Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Paperback,
456 Pages (for Indonesian Edition)
Genre : Contemporary Romance, Adult Novel
Other
books in the series : Crazy Rich Asians
(Crazy Rich Asians #1); Rich People Problems (Crazy
Rich Asians #3).
It’s the eve of Rachel Chu’s wedding, and she should be over the moon.
She has a flawless Asscher-cut diamond, a wedding dress she loves, and a fiancé
willing to thwart his meddling relatives and give up one of the biggest
fortunes in Asia in order to marry her. Still, Rachel mourns the fact that her
birthfather, a man she never knew, won’t be there to walk her down the
aisle.
Then a chance accident reveals his identity. Suddenly, Rachel is drawn into a dizzying world of Shanghai splendor, a world where people attend church in a penthouse, where exotic cars race down the boulevard, and where people aren’t just crazy rich … they’re China rich.
Then a chance accident reveals his identity. Suddenly, Rachel is drawn into a dizzying world of Shanghai splendor, a world where people attend church in a penthouse, where exotic cars race down the boulevard, and where people aren’t just crazy rich … they’re China rich.
Ok, while the first book Crazy Rich
Asians focusing more around Rachel and Nick’s story and Nick’s crazy
families, the second book is introducing new characters as well as developing
the stories around the existing supporting characters, like Astrid’s and Kitty
Pong’s story. In this second book, I can say that both Rachel and Nick is
positioned more like the main supporting characters for half of the books,
since the stories told in this China Rich Girlfriend are more focusing around
new characters like Collette Bing, Carlton Bao and Kitty Pong Tai (formerly
known as Kitty Pong). In China Rich Girlfriend, the story take place
mostly in Hong Kong and China, and more highlighted the Hong Kong high society.
The story starts on September 2012 (more than two years after the ending in Crazy Rich
Asians). So far the writing style still the same with some funny and
sarcastic moments, but for me the half part of the book is full of meaningless
shallow details about the Bings’ and all the party scenes surrounding Collette
that makes me a little bored.
While Astrid’s story also takes an
interesting turns and the way the author change Michael’s character so
drastically kinda disappointed me. To be honest, I’m not a fans of Michael and
will definitely support Charlie more for Astrid. But the way the author makes
Michael change to become a horrible character in order for the readers to side
with Astrid and Charlie’s relationship didn’t do justice at all.
I think this second book didn’t give
much growth for the story and the character’s development, and can be skipped
since not much stories about Nick’s crazy families since the story takes place
mostly in Hong Kong. This book mainly focusing to Kitty’s story and introducing
the Bings, especially Collette Bing and her father, Jack Bing.
Rating for China Rich Girlfriend is 6/10.
Characters in China Rich Girlfriend are as
follows :
Rachel Chu : an
Economics Professor in New York University.
Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Young : a
History Professor, Rachel’s boyfriend, also teaching in New York University.
Astrid Leong : Nick’s
cousin, the only daughter of Harry Leong and Felicity Young.
Edison ‘Eddie’ Cheng : Nick’s
and Astrid’s cousin, the eldest son of Dr. Malcolm Cheng and Alexandra ‘Alix’
Young (Nick’s aunt), works in Hong Kong’s private banking industry.
Oliver T’sien : Nick’s
second cousin, works as the Asian art and antiquities expert for Christie’s London.
Kitty Tai : a
former soap-opera star named Kitty Pong, married to Bernard Tai.
Bernard Tai : the
only son and heir of the late Dato Tai Toh Lui – a billionaire financier in
Singapore.
Bao Gaoliang : one of
Beijing’s top politicians and also the owner of one of China’s biggest
pharmaceutical firms.
Bao Shaoyen : Bao
Gaoliang’s wife.
Carlton Bao : Bao
Gaoliang’s and Bao Shaoyen’s only son, 23 years old.
Phillip Young : Nick’s
father, the only son of the late Sir James Young and Su Yi Shang.
Eleanor Young : Nick’s
mother.
Kerry Chu :
Rachel’s mother, a real estate agent.
Samantha Chu :
Rachel’s cousin.
Carol Tai : one of Eleanor’s close friend, Bernard Tai’s
mother, wife of the late Dato Tai Toh Lui.
Lorena Lim : one of
Eleanor’s close friend.
Nadine Shaw : one of
Eleanor’s close friend.
Daisy Foo : one of
Eleanor’s close friend.
Corinna Ko-Tung : Fiona’s
cousin, art and special consultant for social climbers.
Colin Khoo : Nick’s
best friend since childhood.
Araminta Lee Khoo : Colin’s
wife, formerly known as Araminta Lee, heiress to her family’s Hotel Chain
business.
Michael Teo : Astrid’s
husband.
Cassian Teo : the
only son of Astrid’s and Michael.
Charlie Wu :
Astrid’s ex-fiancee, the eldest son of the late tech billionaire Wu Hao Lian,
currently living in Hong Kong.
Ada Poon : the
third wife of Sir Francis Poon, a member of Hong Kong high society.
Alistair Cheng : Nick’s
cousin, Eddie’s youngest brother, the youngest son of Dr. Malcolm Cheng and
Alix Young, working in Hong kong film industry.
Colette Bing :
Carlton’s girlfriend, one of China’s foremost fashion icons, the only daughter
of Jack Bing.
Roxanne Ma :
Colette’s assistant.
Isabel Wu : Charlie
Wu’s wife.
Jack Bing :
Colette’s father, one of the richest man in China.
Lai Di Bing :
Colette’s mother.
Richie Yang : one of
Colette’s suitor.
``````````````````````````````````````````
Ok, sementara buku pertamanya Crazy Rich
Asians banyak menceritakan seputar hubungan antara Rachel dan Nick
serta keluarga besar Nick yang ‘mengerikan’, di buku keduanya ini ada beberapa
karakter baru yang diperkenalkan dan juga lebih banyaknya pengembangan cerita
dari beberapa karakter pendukung di buku sebelumnya seperti Astrid, Kitty Pong,
dan juga Eddie. Di dalam sequel buku ini, dapat aku katakana bahwa Nick dan
Rachel lebih berperan sebagai karakter pendukung selama separuh buku bagian
awal, karena cerita yang disampaikan di dalam China Rich Girlfriend lebih
berfokus pada para karakter baru seperti Collette Bing, Carlton Bao dan juga
Kitty Pong Tai (atau lebih di kenal sebagai Kitty Pong di buku sebelumnya).
Dalam China Rich Girlfriend, latar
belakang cerita mengambil tempat kebanyakan di Hong Kong dan China, dan lebih
menonjolkan kehidupan sosialita di Hong Kong. Cerita dalam China Rich Girlfriend dimulai
pada bulan September 2012 (lebih dari dua tahun setelah akhir cerita dalam Crazy Rich
Asians). Sejauh ini gaya cerita yang disampaikan oleh pengarangnya
masih tetap sama dengan adanya beberapa momen yang lucu dan agak sarkastis.
Tetapi untukku sebagian besar cerita dalam buku ini berisi banyak hal yang
tidak penting mengenai penggambaran kekayaan keluarga Bing dan semua pesta-pesta
yang dihadiri oleh Collette yang bagiku cukup terasa membosankan.
Sementara itu kisah mengenai Astrid juga
cukup mengecewakan dengan penggambaran karakter Michael yang berubah sangat drastis.
Walaupun sebenarnya aku bukan penggemar Michael dan tentu saja lebih mendukung Charlie
yang lebih cocok untuk Astrid, tetapi cara pengarangnya membuat karakter
Michael menjadi begitu buruk dalam usahanya membuat para pembaca berpihak pada
hubungan antara Astrid dan Charlie menurutku agak kurang adil sebenarnya.
Menurutku buku kedua dalam serial ini
tidak memberikan banyak pengembangan cerita dan karakter yang berarti dan
penting bagi Nick dan Rachel terhadap hubungan mereka dengan keluarga besar
Nick di Singapore, dan dapat dilewati saja jika Anda ingin membaca cerita
seputar keluarga besar Nick yang sedikit eksentrik. Sekali lagi cerita di dalam
buku kedua ini lebih banyak terjadi di Hong Kong, dengan fokus cerita lebih
kepada kisah Kitty dan pengenalan kepada keluarga Bing, terutama Collette Bing dan
ayahnya, Jack Bing, sehingga tidak banyak cerita mengenai keluarga Nick.
Rating for China Rich Girlfriend is 6/10.
Adapun para tokoh dalam China Rich
Girlfriend adalah sebagai berikut :
Rachel Chu : dosen
Ekonomi di New York University.
Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Young : dosen
Sejarah, pacar Rachel, juga mengajar di New York University.
Astrid Leong : sepupu Nick,
anak peremouan dari Harry Leong dan Felicity Young.
Edison ‘Eddie’ Cheng : sepupu Nick
dan Astrid, anak tertua dari Dr. Malcolm Cheng dan Alexandra ‘Alix’ Young (bibi
Nick), bekerja di Private Bank di Hong Kong.
Oliver T’sien : sepupu Nick,
bekerja untuk Christie’s London sebagai ahli seni dan barang antic dari Asia.
Kitty Tai : sebelumnya
bernama Kitty Pong, seorang aktris sinetron Hong Kong, menikah dengan Bernard
Tai.
Bernard Tai : anak
tunggal Alm. Dato Tai Toh Lui – seorang billionaire di bidang financial di
Singapore.
Bao Gaoliang : salah
satu top politisi dari Beijing dan juga pemilik salah satu pabrik farmasi
terbesar di China.
Bao Shaoyen : istri Bao
Gaoliang.
Carlton Bao : anak
laki-laki Bao Gaoliang dan Bao Shaoyen, 23 tahun.
Phillip Young : ayah Nick,
anak laki-laki satu-satunya dari Sir James Young dan Shang Su Yi.
Eleanor Young : ibu Nick.
Kerry Chu : ibu Rachel,
seorang agen real estate.
Samantha Chu : sepupu Rachel.
Carol Tai : salah satu teman baik Eleanor, ibu Bernard
Tai, istri dari Alm. Dato Tai Toh Lui.
Lorena Lim : salah
satu teman baik Eleanor.
Nadine Shaw : salah
satu teman baik Eleanor.
Daisy Foo : salah
satu teman baik Eleanor.
Corinna Ko-Tung : sepupu Fiona,
konsultan seni dan special konsultan untuk para social climbers di Hong Kong.
Colin Khoo : sahabat
baik Nick sejak kecil.
Araminta Lee Khoo : istri Colin,
pewaris dari jaringan bisnis hotel keluarganya.
Michael Teo : suami Astrid.
Cassian Teo : anak
tunggal dari Astrid dan Michael.
Charlie Wu : mantan
tunangan Astrid, sekarang tinggal di Hong Kong.
Ada Poon : istri
ketiga dari Sir Francis Poon, anggota sosialita Hong Kong.
Alistair Cheng : sepupu Nick,
adik bungsu Eddie, anak bungsu dari Dr. Malcolm Cheng dan Alix Young, bekerja
di industri film Hong Kong.
Colette Bing : pacar Carlton,
salah satu fashion icon di China, anak perempuan satu-satunya dari Jack Bing.
Roxanne Ma : asisten
Colette.
Isabel Wu : istri Charlie
Wu.
Jack Bing : ayah Colette,
salah satu orang terkaya di China.
Lai Di Bing : ibu Colette.
Richie Yang : salah
satu yang mengejar Colette.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3.
Book 3 : Rich People Problems (Crazy
Rich Asians #3)
Copyright © 2017 by Kevin Kwan
First Published in Indonesia on 2017
by Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Paperback,
480 Pages (for Indonesian Edition)
Genre
: Contemporary Romance, Adult Novel
Other books in the series : Crazy Rich
Asians (Crazy Rich Asians #1); Crazy Rich
Girlfriend (Crazy Rich Asians #2)
When Nicholas Young hears that his grandmother, Su Yi, is
on her deathbed, he rushes to be by her bedside—but he’s not alone. It seems
the entire Shang-Young clan has convened from all corners of the globe,
ostensibly to care for their matriarch, but truly to stake claim on the massive
fortune that Su Yi controls. With each family member secretly fantasizing about
getting the keys to Tyersall Park—a trophy estate on 64 prime acres in the
heart of Singapore—the place becomes a hotbed of intrigue and Nicholas finds
himself blocked from entering the premises. As relatives claw over heirlooms,
Astrid Leong finds herself at the center of her own storm, desperately in love
with her old sweetheart Charlie Wu, but tormented by his ex-wife—a woman
hell-bent on destroying Astrid’s reputation and relationship. Meanwhile Kitty
Pong, married to billionaire Jack Bing and determined to raise their son more
lavishly than a future king, finds a formidable opponent in his fashionista
daughter, Colette.
A sweeping novel that takes us from the elegantly-appointed mansions of Manila to the secluded private islands in the Sulu Sea, from a schoolyard kidnapping to a gold leaf dancefloor spattered with blood, Kevin Kwan’s gloriously wicked new novel reveals the long-buried secrets and rich people problems of Asia’s most privileged families.
A sweeping novel that takes us from the elegantly-appointed mansions of Manila to the secluded private islands in the Sulu Sea, from a schoolyard kidnapping to a gold leaf dancefloor spattered with blood, Kevin Kwan’s gloriously wicked new novel reveals the long-buried secrets and rich people problems of Asia’s most privileged families.
Rich People Problem is the third installment
of Crazy
Rich Asians series. It sets a few years after the ending of China Rich
Girlfriend, in year 2015 mostly in Singapore as Shang Su Yi, Nick’s grandmother
is sick and all of her families (the Youngs, the Leongs, the Chengs, the
Shangs, the T’sien, and even the Aakara from Thailand) are flying in to
Singapore to gathers at Tyersall Park.
It is quite fun to read Rich People
Problem with all the plot twists and sarcastic humor, especially
regarding cousin Eddie. And thank goodness the focus of the story in Rich
People Problem is back to Nick’s extended families, with all of their family
antics.
Rating for Rich People Problem is 8/10.
Characters in Rich People Problem are as
follows :
Rachel Chu : an
Economics Professor in New York University.
Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Young : a
History Professor, Rachel’s husband, also teaching in New York University.
Astrid Leong : Nick’s
cousin, the only daughter of Harry Leong and Felicity Young.
Edison ‘Eddie’ Cheng : Nick’s
and Astrid’s cousin, the eldest son of Dr. Malcolm Cheng and Alexandra ‘Alix’
Young (Nick’s aunt), works in Hong Kong’s private banking industry.
Oliver T’sien : Nick’s
second cousin, works as the Asian art and antiquities expert for Christie’s
London.
Kitty Pong Tai Bing : a
former soap-opera star named Kitty Pong, ex-wife to Bernard Tai, now become the
new Mrs. Jack Bing.
Carlton Bao :
Rachel’s half brother.
Phillip Young : Nick’s
father, the only son of the late Sir James Young and Su Yi Shang.
Eleanor Young : Nick’s
mother.
Shang Su Yi : Nick’s
grandmother, the eldest daughter of Shang’s family, married to the late of Sir
James Young.
Michael Teo :
Astrid’s ex-husband.
Cassian Teo :
Astrid’s and Michael’s only son.
Harry Leong :
Astrid’s father, comes from the Penang Leongs, family that have the monopoly
over palm oil industry.
Felicity Young Leong :
Astrid’s mother, the eldest daughter of Sir James Young and Shang Su Yi.
Henry Leong Jr. :
Astrid’s eldest brother.
Cathleen Leong : Henry’s
wife, a lawyer.
Alexander Leong :
Astrid’s older brother, living in California, married with a Malaysian girl
that was not approved by both of his parents.
Peter Leong : Astrid’s
older brother.
Fiona Tung-Cheng : Eddie’s
wife, comes from a politically connected family.
Constantine, Augustine, and Kalliste
Cheng : Eddie’s and Fiona’s children.
Alexandra ‘Alix’ Young
Cheng
: Eddie’s mother, married to Dr. Malcolm Cheng, the youngest daughter of Shang
Su Yi and Sir James Young.
Malcolm Cheng : Eddie’s
father, a famous cardiologist in Hong Kong.
Cecilia Cheng Moncur : Eddie’s
younger sister, the only daughter of Dr. Malcolm Cheng and Alix Young.
Tony Moncur :
Cecilia’s husband, an Australian commodities trader.
Jake Moncur :
Cecilia’s and Tony’s son
Alistair Cheng : Eddie’s
youngest brother, the youngest son of Dr. Malcolm Cheng and Alix Young, working
in Hong kong film industry.
Catherine Young Aakara : the second
daughter of Sir James Young and Shang Su Yi, married to a minor Thai Prince.
Taksin Aakara :
Catherine’s husband.
Victoria Young : third
daughter of Sir James Young and Shang Su Yi.
Alfred Shang : Shang
Su Yi’s younger brother, the head of Shangs’ families, lives in England.
Mabel Shang :
Rosemary T’sien’s eldest daughter, married to Alfred Shang.
Cassandra Shang : Nick’s
second cousin, Oliver’s cousin, daughter of Alfred and Mabel Shang.
Scheherazade Shang :
Alfred’s grand daughter, daughter of Leonard and India Shang.
Leonard Shang :
Alfred’s and Mabel’s son.
India Shang :
Leonard’s wife, Alfred’s and Mabel’s daughter-in-law.
Rosemary T’sien : Sir
James Young’s sister, Nick’s Great-aunt, Oliver’s grandmother.
Peik Lin Goh :
Rachel’s best friend from college.
Charlie Wu :
Astrid’s ex-fiancee, the eldest son of the tech billionaire Wu Hao Lian.
Isabel Wu :
Charlie’s ex-wife.
Jack Bing : Chinese
Billionaire, Kitty’s new husband.
Collete Bing : Jack’s
only daughter, now married to the Earl of Palliser.
Lucien Montagu-Scott : Earl of
Palliser, Collete’s husband, the eldest son of Duke Glencora.
Professor Francis Oon : Singapore’s
top Cardiologist, Su Yi’s personal doctor.
Carol Tai : one of
Eleanor’s close friend.
Lorena Lim : one of
Eleanor’s close friend.
Nadine Shaw : one of
Eleanor’s close friend.
Daisy Foo : one of
Eleanor’s close friend.
````````````````````````````````````````
Rich
People Problem merupakan buku ketiga dalam serial Crazy Rich Asians. Diceritakan
selang beberapa tahun setelah akhir cerita dalam China Rich Girlfriend, di tahun
2015, mengambil latar belakang sebagian besar di Singapore ketika Shang Su Yi,
nenek Nick jatuh sakit dan seluruh keluarga besarnya (keluarga Young, keluarga
Leong, keluarga Cheng, keluarga Shang, keluarga T’sien, dan bahkan keluarga
Aakara dari Thailand) datang ke Singapore dan berkumpul di Tyersall Park
(kediaman Su Yi).
Sungguh pengalaman yang menyenangkan
dalam membaca Rich
People Problem dengan segala plot twist yang tidak terduga dan semua
humor sarkastis di dalamnya, terutama seputar sepupu Eddie. Dan syukurlah focus
cerita dalam Rich
People Problem kembali kepada keluarga besar Nick, dengan segala
drama dan kelakuan konyol mereka.
Rating untuk Rich People Problem adalah 8/10.
Adapun para karakter dalam Rich People
Problem adalah sebagai berikut :
Rachel Chu : seorang
dosen Ekonomi di New York University.
Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Young : dosen
Sejarah, suami Rachel, juga mengajar di New York University.
Astrid Leong : sepupu Nick,
anak perempuan satu-satunya dari Harry Leong dan Felicity Young.
Edison ‘Eddie’ Cheng : sepupu Nick
dan Astrid, anak sulung dari Dr. Malcolm Cheng dan Alexandra ‘Alix’ Young (bibi
Nick), bekerja di Private Banking Hong Kong.
Oliver T’sien : sepupu Nick,
bekerja sebagai konsultan ahli barang antik.
Kitty Pong Tai Bing : mantan
artis sinetron Hong Kong bernama Kitty Pong, mantan istri Bernard Tai, sekarang
menjadi istri baru dari Jack Bing.
Carlton Bao : adik
tiri Rachel.
Phillip Young : ayah Nick,
anak laki-laki satu-satunya dari Sir James Young dan Shang Su Yi.
Eleanor Young : ibu Nick.
Shang Su Yi : nenek Nick,
anak perempuan tertua dari keluarga Shang, menikah dengan Sir James Young.
Michael Teo : mantan
suami Astrid.
Cassian Teo : anak
tunggal Astrid dan Michael.
Harry Leong : ayah Astrid,
berasal dari keluarga Leong dari Penang yang memonopoli industri minyak kelapa
sawit.
Felicity Young Leong : ibu Astrid,
anak perempuan tertua dari Sir James Young dan Shang Su Yi.
Henry Leong Jr. : kakak
sulung Astrid.
Cathleen Leong : istri Henry,
seorang pengacara.
Alexander Leong : kakak Astrid,
tinggal di California, menikah dengan gadis Malaysia yang tidak disetujui oleh
kedua orang tuanya.
Peter Leong : kakak Astrid
lainnya.
Fiona Tung-Cheng : istri Eddie,
berasal dari keluarga yang berlatar belakang politik di Hong Kong.
Constantine, Augustine, dan Kalliste
Cheng : anak-anak Eddie dan Fiona.
Alexandra ‘Alix’ Young
Cheng
: ibu Eddie, menikah dengan Dr. Malcolm Cheng, anak termuda dari Shang Su Yi dan
Sir James Young.
Malcolm Cheng : ayah Eddie,
dokter spesialis jantung terkenal di Hong Kong.
Cecilia Cheng Moncur : adik Eddie, anak
perempuan satu-satunya dari Dr. Malcolm Cheng dan Alix Young.
Tony Moncur : suami Cecilia,
seorang trader komoditi dari Australia.
Jake Moncur : anak Cecilia
dan Tony.
Alistair Cheng : adik
bungsu Eddie, anak bungsu dari Dr. Malcolm Cheng dan Alix Young, bekerja di
industri film Hong Kong.
Catherine Young Aakara : anak
perempuan kedua dari Sir James Young dan Shang Su Yi, menikah dengan salah satu
Pangeran Thailand.
Taksin Aakara : suami Catherine.
Victoria Young : anak
perempuan ketiga dari Sir James Young dan Shang Su Yi.
Alfred Shang : adik
laki-laki Shang Su Yi, kepala keluarga dan pengurus bisnis keluarga Shang, tinggal
di Inggris.
Mabel Shang : anak
perempuan tertua dari Rosemary T’sien, menikah dengan Alfred Shang.
Cassandra Shang : sepupu Nick
dan Oliver, anak perempuan dari Alfred dan Mabel Shang.
Scheherazade Shang : cucu Alfred,
anak perempuan dari Leonard and India Shang.
Leonard Shang : anak
laki-laki Alfred dan Mabel.
India Shang : istri Leonard,
menantu Alfred dan Mabel.
Rosemary T’sien : adik
perempuan Sir James Young, bibi buyut Nick, nenek Oliver.
Peik Lin Goh : sahabat
baik Rachel dari masa kuliah.
Charlie Wu : mantan
tunangan Astrid.
Isabel Wu : mantan
istri Charlie.
Jack Bing : Billionaire
dari China, suami baru Kitty.
Collete Bing : anak
perempuan Jack Bing, sekarang menikah dengan Earl of Palliser.
Lucien Montagu-Scott : Earl of
Palliser, suami Collete, anak sulung dari Duke Glencora.
Professor Francis Oon : dokter
ahli jantung di Singapore, dokter pribadi Su Yi.
Carol Tai : salah
satu teman baik Eleanor.
Lorena Lim : salah
satu teman baik Eleanor.
Nadine Shaw : salah
satu teman baik Eleanor.
Daisy Foo : salah
satu teman baik Eleanor.
````````````````````````````````````````
