A\is A Rich Asian's Laura Mooney Book Review Arts Editor Wir a title as blunt as Crazy Rich Asians, one may assume the story beyond the cover would follow suit and be a mindless, fluff-filled, straight-to- the-point plotline. In some respects, it is essentially just as the title states--a story about crazy, rich Asians. However, as the reader opens the blazingly bright, golden cover adorned with fluorescent pink writing, he/she becomes well informed that this is anything but a simple story. Author Kevin Kwan begins this extravagant tale with the short introduction of a Chinese family trying to check in to their London hotel late at night, only to be met with extreme racism and judgment from the hotel staff. In response to the crudeness of the staff, the matriarch of the family makes a few phone calls and, soon after, much to the chagrin of the racist hotel manager, purchases the entire hotel. This sets up the entire tone of the novel, with the over the top lavishness only climbing to higher extremes as the story progresses through their son (Nick's) love affair. Crazy Rich Asians is the story of Rachel Chu, a young woman who is launched into her Nick's (her boyfriend's) secret world of wealth when she is asked to accompany him on a trip to visit his family in Singapore. Only once she arrives does Rachel realize that Nick's family is practically royalty, and his world is beyond anything she had imagined. Now she must learn to be a part of it. She is quickly swept up in a frenzy of exquisite dining at exclusive clubs, galas at enormous imperial palaces, and meetings with royalty and high powered politicians from alll around the world. On top of all of that, she has to go through meeting Nick's individual relatives, consisting of three extended families, each wealthier than the last. However, while Rachel is amazed by Nick's fantastical life, she is also introduced to the much 1CRAZY (RICH Jj ASIANS gee! KEVIN KWAN darker side of his family. Conniving relatives, including Nick's mother, are determined to have Nick marry a girl appropriate to his status. Rachel faces unrelenting cousins focused only on their own amusement and satisfaction, and more inter-family gossip than the worst high school anyone has ever attended. Rachel is forced to figure out a way fo not only survive this so-called dream vacation, but also fo try maintain her relationshio with the man she thought she knew so well. Although Crazy Rich Asians may appear 10 to be an indulgent, over the top novel purely based on materialism, constant name-dropping, and vanity, when you look below the surface it touches on important issues, such as falling in love with someone outside of your “class system,” old world money versus the inherited, and the role of gossip within a family unit. One feels genuine emotion for the main characters, Rachel and Nick. Everyone in a relationshio has experienced that awkward first encounter with their partner's parents, everyone has felt that pressure to impress someone more worldly and experienced than they are, and everyone has been the subject of unwanted, hurtful gossip. As the story progresses, the reader really starts to feel sympathy toward Rachel for the immense pressure that she is unwillingly placed under, knowing that she is only suffering because she loves Nick. These same feelings are also extended to Nick. Although he comes from an exceedingly wealthy family, he never comes across as pretentious or snooty, and the reader grows fo respect him for avoiding this fate that has befallen many of his cousins and other relatives. Kwan's Crazy Rich Asians is the ultimate indulgence for anyone who loves extravagance, and wants to escape into a world where the reader is offered an exclusive sneak peek into how of some of the richest (fictional) people in the world live. The perfect end- of-summer read, this novel is a great way to get in one last taste of luxury before heading back to reality. Local Artist Seeks New Home Laura Mooney Arts Editor his past summer, Prince George's Studio 2880 showcased the amazingly talented Andrew Mooney’s exhibit, which featured works of art that resembled grattiti and were all created with aerosol paint. Now that the summer exhibit is coming to a close however, these unique pieces of art are searching for a new home, and UNBC may be a possible contender. The bright pieces would be a welcome addition to the school’s already unique collection of art pieces, and by displaying local art, it provides an excellent way to reach out even more to the community, and show support for our amazing local artists. So now it turns to the students. Would you like to see local art displayed at UNBC? Go to the “Over the Edge Newspaper’ Facebook page and let us know! Studio 2880 | PG and District Community Arts Council wy i ? ~ : y F 4 _ Ne ~ CAPITAL CITIES: “INATIDALWAVEDEMYSTERY - Laura Mooney Arts Editor magine a sound that is upbeat, unexpected, exciting, and yet soothing all at once. A soundtrack to put a true pep in your step, and wake you up from your post- summer hangover for those ungodly early morning classes. Capital Cities: In a Tidal Wave of Mystery Album Review Capital Cities’ debut album, In a Tidal Wave of Mystery, combines heavy synth and electronica with the instruments and sounds one typically expects to hear from the purest of indie bands. Comprised of members Ryan Merchant, Sebu Simonian, Manny Quintero, Spencer Ludwig, Nick Merwin, and Channing Holmes, this Los Angeles based indie-electro band creates a familiar and yet strangely hard to describe new sound that comes across as a genre all its own. From the first burst of trumpets intermingling with a synthesizer in the opening track, “Safe and Sound,” to the eerie choir-esque vocals heard ever so subtly in the background in ‘| Sold My Bed, But Not My Stereo,” the band lets the listener know what they stand for, and that they are not following the typical rules when it comes to electronica. The songs weave tales of the struggles that come with true, passionate love and what to do when that love is lost, while still hammering out encouraging notes about branching out in life, going a little wild, and being who you are, as shown through the delightfully contagious song of “Kangaroo Court.” One look at the album's cover may provide even more insight to the quirky inner workings of the boys at Capital Cities. Elaborately decorated with tigers in soace helmets, winged blue whales, and elephants with boom boxes all floating around in space, one gets the impression that although the band may be writing songs about love and being oneself, they are doing so with a grain of salt and a cheeky sense of humor. So if you do decide to indulge in this unique band, a word of caution: leave plenty of room around you when listening to it in public, because you may break out into a spontaneous dance.