65 pages • 2 hours read
Kevin KwanA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Eleanor is told that Rachel is a Chu “of the Taipei Plastics Chus” (60), a new-money family in Taiwan. She worries that she doesn’t know enough about Rachel’s alleged family or how much money Rachel will inherit. Eleanor believes that all men get married after they are finished sowing their wild oats, and she is concerned that Nick is ready now and will marry Rachel, especially if he’s bringing her home. She calls Astrid to get information about Rachel, concealing her intentions by pretending to plan a surprise party for the couple. Astrid reveals that Rachel is very Americanized, went to Stanford, and is an economic development professor.
Nick reveals to Rachel that his parents not only have no idea that she’s coming with him to Singapore, but they don’t know she exists. Rachel worries that he’s ashamed of her, but he reassures her that it’s not like that. He insists that his family will love her, just like Astrid does. Rachel calls her mom, and she suggests that Nick’s family may be poor and extremely traditional, and he may have concealed their relationship to prevent them from worrying. She tells Rachel that it’s good that he’s introducing her to his family properly.
By Kevin Kwan