In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan shared the story of how his novel became a movie – and the roadblocks along the way. One of those roadblocks, unsurprisingly, was the Hollywood instinct to whitewash. One producer approached Kwan with the idea of transforming the protagonist Rachel into a white woman.

Source: Hollywood Producers Wanted to Whitewash Crazy Rich Asians | The Mary Sue 

This is particularly egregious trash because the Kevin Kwan trio, Crazy Rich Asians, China Rich Girlfriend and Rich People Problems, are literally lifestyle novels about, uh, crazy rich Asians. The story hinges on the social ranking and conspicuous consumption of the Chinese diaspora.

Also, without being too spoilery, Rachel’s unknown father is a major part of the storyline, and when he’s found, he’s very much NOT white.

Recent Posts

Sandwich

I wanted to read Catherine Newman's new novel Sandwich as soon as I heard about…

The Midnight Feast, by Lucy Foley

The Midnight Feast, the newest thriller from Lucy Foley, takes place at the opening weekend…

Retro Book Review: Passenger to Frankfurt

Passenger to Frankfurt is not my favorite Christie mystery, at all. The spy ones and…

Imperfect by Katy Motiey

Imperfect, by Katy Motiey, tells the story of Vida, a young Iranian mother, and how the…

Lost on a Mountain in Maine

12-year-old Donn Fendler is on a family hike up a beautiful but challenging mountain, when…

The Pursuit of Mary Bennet

I picked up Pamela Mingle's The Pursuit of Mary Bennet after reading The Bennet Sisters'…