Kevin Kwan’s Crazy Rich Asians is undoubtedly one of the most popular talked about books in recent years. Its more recent film adaptation just served to add more noise to the conversation.
Part of its appeal is introducing contemporary Asian culture to a Western audience. And if you’ve devoured its two sequels, good news: there are plenty more books with the same flavor!
Books Similar to Crazy Rich Asians
If you’re looking for books that explore lavish lifestyles, families obsessed with appearance, and Asian culture, check out some of these books below!
1. The Wangs vs. the World by Jade Chan
Charles Wang and his family lose their fortune when his cosmetics empire falls into ruin. Together with his two children and their spoiled stepmother, they find themselves on a cross-country ride to Charle’s eldest daughter in Upstate New York.
All Charles wants is to get his family to safety and then reclaim his riches. But the journey is tough, and he might just have to choose between keeping his family intact and rebuilding his empire.
2. The Windfall by Diksha Basu
For the last 30 years, the Jhas have endured cramped living spaces, noisy neighbors, and all the disadvantages of being poor. But now they’re moving up due to an unexpectedly successful venture.
Moving across town where the super-rich live, each one of them must deal with their sudden change of status. And as they struggle, they must also realize what is truly important in their lives.
3. Sarong Party Girls by Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan
Nearing 30, Jazzy hatches an ambitious plan with her friends: before the year is out, they’ll all be married to rich, Western husbands, with kids along the way. And she always plays to win.
Searching through glitzy, moneyed Singapore, Jazzy encounters the many effects of class tensions and gender politics running beneath the city. With all these conflicts threatening to crush her dreams, will she and her girlfriends succeed?
4. Five Star Billionaire by Tash AW
Five newcomers come to Shanghai in the hopes of reinventing themselves and finding fortune. But Shanghai may be a city where dreams come true, but it doesn’t grant them that easily.
Their lives soon converge in crazy, unpredictable ways. All of it leads to the Five Star Billionaire, whose harsh lessons play a hand in their fates.
5. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
Four women, recent immigrants, come together to play mahjong and talk about the things they’ve left behind. United in loss and hope, they call themselves the Joy Luck Club.
Now some forty years later, their stories are passed down to their daughters—who roll their eyes at the irrelevance of their mothers’ advice. It is only when they experience their own crises do these mothers and daughters realize how similar their lives are.
6. Last Tang Standing by Lauren Ho
At only 33, Andrea Tang is living the life. She’s a highly successful lawyer, lives in the poshest of places, and is friends with anyone who matters. All that’s left to do is make partner in her firm.
Despite all that she’s achieved, her family only cares about her becoming the lone unmarried member of her generation. She doesn’t care—at least, not until one charming entrepreneur gives her a glimpse of a future she might be missing.
7. What We Were Promised by Lucy Tan
After years of chasing the American dream, the Zhen family is now back in China. Settling into a luxurious apartment, they find themselves confronting a thoroughly changed city.
Ripples of unease run through the family as they deal with their new lives and surroundings. As the tension builds up, each member must come to terms with their past and how it will affect their future in China.
8. A Bollywood Affair by Sonali Dev
Mili Rathod has been promised to her husband since the age of four. It’s given Mili a degree of freedom rarely given to girls in her village, even allowing her to study in America.
Now Samir Rathod, Bollywood’s most popular playboy director, has come to America to secure his older brother’s divorce. It should be easy, she’s only a girl from one little village after all. However, Mili’s neither greedy nor naive, and her life soon enthralls Samir’s senses.
9. Family Trust by Kathy Wang
Stanley Huang is a man currently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. And as his strength wanes, the family grows much more nervous.
Because for years, Stanley has claimed to be worth some money—money that could solve a lot of problems for his family. But as his death approaches, the Huangs must face unexpected challenges and discover what they value most.
10. If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha
Kyuri works in an exclusive bar, entertaining businessmen while they drink. Her artist roommate, Miho, has returned from the States and currently struggles with her new world. Their two neighbors, Ara and Wonna, have their own struggles.
All four women must find their own ways to navigate the challenges of a brutal world obsessed with money, impossible beauty standards, and social hierarchies. And in all these, the strength of their friendship might just be the thing that can save them.
11. Number One Chinese Restaurant by Lillian LI
For generations, the Beijing Duck House has been a center for those who crave food and celebration. And within its walls are a crew of waiters and kitchen staff who’ve fought, loved, and aged with the restaurant.
But then disaster strikes, which could mean the end of their beloved establishment. And soon, they must confront the conflicts that lurk beneath.
12. Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee
Casey Han, the strong-willed daughter of Korean immigrants working in a dry cleaner, lives a glorified life she cannot afford. Though she holds a degree from Princeton, she finds it useless against the connections and opportunities her white friends have.
Still, she’s determined to carve her way to power, privilege, and wealth. And when an opportunity does come up, she’s more than eager to snap it up. But at what cost?
Reading Books About Asian Cultures
Asia is a continent whose countries can have extremely different cultures and beliefs despite being beside one another. This leads to an incredibly rich and complex tapestry of lives that can feel alien to the rest of the world.
This is probably one of the reasons why books like Crazy Rich Asians are gaining a lot of attention. Add that to the media’s growing interest with non-western perspectives and you get fresh stories that explore new ways of storytelling.
What books like Crazy Rich Asians have you read? Share it in the comments below!
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Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
