Skewering the lives of the crazy rich
FICTION Kevin Kwan drew on his own fortunate life to craft trilogy’s luxe details
When Kevin Kwan started writing Crazy Rich Asians, the first title in his trilogy about the outrageously wealthy jet set in Singapore, he imagined it as a satirical take on the lifestyles of the rich, famous and manipulative — a contemporary Bonfire of the Vanities for the Real Housewives era.
He never expected to produce a book “with a bejewelled woman on the cover,” or that his novels would be embraced so widely by the fashion community for their extreme decadence and cheeky brand references.
“I think a lot of people don’t see the satire,” Kwan says. “They’re focusing on the very surface of the books. They’re meant to be deeply satirical and deeply skewering.”
Not that Kwan is complaining: he is very grateful for the crowds he attracts while promoting the final book in the trilogy, Rich People Problems, which draws the multigenerational saga to a satisfying conclusion as his characters jockey to establish their positions within their families. Yet, strip away the mansions and private jets, and one could conclude that the 1 per cent have family issues just like the rest of us.
“It’s the same struggles that don’t go away depending on your bank account. Maybe wealth amplifies the problems. I see so much of the darker side and what it’s done to people. Especially the younger generation who comes from a lot of wealth and have inherited the demons,” Kwan says.
Kwan, who grew up in Singapore, drew on his own privileged upbringing in crafting the details of his novels. “I’ve felt like an outsider to this world my entire life,” he says. “I’ve been allowed to look in and tangentially been related to people, or know people, and so I can come in and out of that world, but I’m not part of it.”
In constructing his lux universe, Kwan strives for authenticity. Even the most absurd details — a character takes her exotic pet fish for plastic surgery — are based in reality.
That said, Kwan does little research. He has what he refers to as a “very specific, strange memory, “a photographic remembrance of certain places and scenarios.”
In Rich People Problems, which is set in 2015, beautiful but grounded Astrid Leung wears fashions from spring 2016, which is perhaps one reason why she has became a cult favourite among readers. “People adore her, “Kwan says. “I get letters from her, people who make paintings and drawings of her. In Asia, people tell people they are the inspiration for Astrid. There are at least 12 Astrids out there.”
And yes, there is a real Astrid, “but it’s none of the 12.”
Although Kwan has moved on to other projects, he hasn’t said goodbye to Astrid or any other crazy rich Asians quite yet. He is an executive producer on the much-anticipated film adaptation of the book, which he points out is the first fully Asian-cast Hollywood studio project in 26 years, and the first romantic comedy ever to feature Asian male and female leads.
“It’s not just about me anymore. It’s a whole movement behind the movie.”