Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Rich People Problems: A Novel
- Author: Kevin Kwan
- Narrator: Lydia Look
- Length: 16:03:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 23/05/2017
- Publisher: Random House (Audio)
- Genre: Fiction & Literature, Contemporary Women, Asian American Literature
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
It’s not every day that an audiobook sweeps you into a world so opulent, so chaotic, and yet so intimately human that you can almost taste the caviar and hear the rustle of silk gowns. “Rich People Problems: A Novel” by Kevin Kwan, narrated by the remarkable Lydia Look, is one such journey. From the moment I pressed play, the story unfolded like a vibrant tapestry woven with threads of family drama, cultural heritage, and the kind of excess that makes you question your own modest existence. As a travel writer who’s crisscrossed continents chasing stories, this audiobook felt like a first-class ticket to the glittering, treacherous world of Asia’s ultra-wealthy.
I first stumbled into Kwan’s universe while driving through the Atacama Desert years ago, listening to another audiobook that married surreal landscapes with magical tales. But “Rich People Problems” hit differently – it reminded me of a humid night in Oaxaca, where I stayed with a family whose grandmother spun tales of love and betrayal with a voice so rich, it felt like the air itself carried her words. Lydia Look’s narration captures that same intimacy, that same spellbinding quality, as she breathes life into the Shang-Young clan’s saga. The story centers on Nicholas Young racing to his dying grandmother Su Yi’s bedside, only to find his sprawling family clawing for her fortune – and her storied estate, Tyersall Park. It’s a tale of greed and glamour, but also of roots and reconciliation, set against a backdrop that stretches from Manila’s mansions to Singapore’s prime acres.
What struck me most was how the audiobook experience amplified Kwan’s razor-sharp wit and lush descriptions. I’ve wandered through bustling markets in Hong Kong and sipped tea on private terraces in Bali, and this novel brought those sensory memories flooding back – the sticky heat, the clink of jade bracelets, the whispered gossip over dim sum. Kwan’s prose dances between satire and sincerity, peeling back the gilded layers of Asia’s elite to reveal their very human flaws. There’s Astrid Leong, caught in a storm of love and vengeance, and Kitty Pong, clawing for status in a world that’s always watching. It’s a narrative that feels both foreign and familiar, a reminder of how wealth can amplify the universal struggles of identity and belonging.
Lydia Look’s performance is the heartbeat of this audiobook. Her voice shifts effortlessly – soft and lilting for tender moments, sharp and biting during the family’s couture-clad showdowns. She doesn’t just narrate; she inhabits each character, from Su Yi’s imperious tones to Charlie Wu’s quiet longing. Listening to her, I couldn’t help but think of those Oaxaca evenings, where the grandmother’s pauses were as powerful as her words. Look’s pacing is impeccable, letting Kwan’s humor land and his quieter revelations simmer. The audio quality itself is crisp, immersive – every sound, from the rustle of a designer gown to the murmur of a crowded ballroom, pulls you deeper into the story.
That said, the audiobook isn’t without its quirks. At nearly 17 hours, it’s a commitment – like a long-haul flight with a few turbulent patches. Some subplots, like the kidnapping in Hong Kong or Kitty’s rivalry with Colette, feel overstuffed, as if Kwan couldn’t resist tossing in one more glittering detail. For a listener like me, used to the leaner storytelling of oral traditions, these tangents occasionally slowed the momentum. And while Look’s versatility is a strength, a few minor characters blur together under her voice, lacking the distinctiveness that could’ve elevated them. Still, these are small blemishes on an otherwise dazzling experience.
Thematically, “Rich People Problems” is a feast. It’s about legacy – what we inherit, what we fight for, what we leave behind. As someone who’s spent years collecting stories from strangers, I connected deeply with Nicholas’s quest to honor his grandmother’s memory amid the chaos. It echoes the hidden histories I’ve uncovered in my travels, like the time I sat with a fisherman in the Sulu Sea who spoke of his ancestors’ lost treasures. Kwan’s novel asks: What’s worth more, the fortune or the family? The answer, delivered through biting dialogue and tender revelations, lingers long after the final chapter.
Compared to Kwan’s earlier works like “Crazy Rich Asians”, this installment feels grander, more sprawling – like a banquet after a tasting menu. It shares DNA with Edith Wharton’s tales of old money or even Jane Austen’s skewering of social climbers, but with a distinctly Asian American lens that’s fresh and unflinching. For fans of contemporary women’s fiction or Asian American literature, it’s a must-listen, blending cultural critique with soap-opera flair.
If you’re new to audiobooks, this is a stellar entry point – the listening experience is as rich as the world it portrays. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves a good story with a side of escapism, whether you’re a jet-setter or just dreaming of one. And here’s the kicker: you can find this gem as a free audiobook through certain platforms, making it an even sweeter deal. Check out Audiobooks.com for a sample and see if you can snag it without spending a dime.
Reflecting on it now, “Rich People Problems” feels like a journey I didn’t know I needed – a chance to laugh, to marvel, to root for characters as flawed as the people I’ve met on the road. It’s a reminder that stories, like travel, can take us anywhere, even into the hearts of the absurdly rich. For me, it’s not just an audiobook; it’s a memory woven into the fabric of my own adventures.
Until the next tale calls us onward, amigos,
Marcus Rivera
