Quotes
"I have no idea who these people are. But I can tell you one thing -- these people are richer than God"
Who is Goh Peik Lin?
What does ABC mean?
American Born Chinese
"Everyone knows these ABCs are descended from all the peasants that were too stupid to survive in China!" - Nadine
"Now that America is broke, all these ABCs want to come to Asia and sink their claws into our men. They are even worse than Taiwanese tornadoes because they are Westernized, sophisticated, and worst of all college educated." - Lorena Lim
"We all had such a glooooorious time, didn't we, Rachel? I heard you particularly enjoyed the fish course."
Who is Francesca Shaw?
Rachel is invited to a large family gathering at Nick's grandmother's house. What is the main attraction the guests are attending to watch?
What is the blooming of the tan huas flowers?
What is the name of the grand estate that Nick's grandmother resides at?
What is Tyersall Park
Who describes Nick's childhood as growing up in "Downtown Abbey"?
Who is Rachel Chu?
What is the most commonly used Malay slang used in Singapore to express shock or exasperation like "oh dear" or "oh my God."
What is Lah or Alamak? "Alamak, they can't find our reservation" or "No, lah. Why would I do that?"
"Phillip, that little economist brain of hers was busy calculating the value of everything. You could see her adding everything up with her big bulging eyes. And all that talk about cooking for Nick. What rot! As if that's going to impress me, knowing that she puts her rough peasant hands all over his food!"
Who is Eleanor Young?
Name an activity planned by Bernard for Colin's bachelor party that Nick didn't want to partake in.
What is dog fighting, sex videos with prostitutes, or Peruvian cocaine.
"Poor bastard. We've completely ruined his bachelor weekend, haven't we? We didn't want to go to the dogfights, we didn't want to make sex videos with prostitutes, and we turned our noses at his fancy Peruvian cocaine."
What type of drug is suspected to have played a role in the fortune inheritance dating back to Shang long Ma and Wang Lan Yin?
What is opium?
"Face it, Astrid, your parents will never respect my family the same way they respect your brothers' wives' families. They were born that way -- it's just not in their DNA to associate with anyone who isn't from their class, anyone is isn't born rich or royal."
Who is Michael (Astrid's Husband)
What is hong bao and it's significance? Here's a quote hint "...we used to visit every Chinese New Year, and I would be made to recite some elaborate poem in Mandarin. Then the old man who reeked of cigars would give me a hung bao..."
What is Mandarin for the little red packets of money that are given out by married adults and the elderly during Chinese New year to children and unmarried young people as an act of well-wishing.
"If you love Rachel as much as you say you do, then you need to be that blue jay for her […] He would never give up trying. He would take an impossible situation and make everything possible."
Who is Colin Khoo?
What gift does Rachel present to Nick's mother the first time they are introduced?
What are mandarin oranges?
"How lovely! Aiyah, you really shouldn't have!" Eleanor replied graciously. Why in the world did she bring mandarin oranges - does she think it's Chinese New Year? And why is she bowling like some stupid Japenese geisha?
What are the three main branches of the families in the book?
"WHAAAT? Colin's bachelor party is this weekend? Who the hell invited Alistair to his bachelor party? (...) But Collin is better friends with ME!" ____ screamed, the pressure building in his head. And then he felt a strange draft from behind. His pants has split open at the ass.
Who is Eddie Cheng?
What does Gan ni na mean?
Here's some context: How long would this dinner take? They were eating European style, so it would be four courses, and here that meant one course per hour. Michael stared at his menu again. Gan ni na! There was some stupid salad course. Who ever heard of serving salad after the main course?....
What is a Hokkien term that could mean "fuck your mother" or as in this case "fuck me".
"Oh, don't worry about me, " ____ said, giving her husband a dark stare. "I'm not going to be wearing a single piece of jewelry tonight. I was born a Tung, and I have nothing to prove to anyone."
Who is Fiona (Eddie's wife)?
What three characters own up to having a threesome together?
Who are Francesca, Mandy, and Nick?
Who among the young lineage is known for spending more time with her horses than with her son Jake
Who is Cecilia Cheng?
"Prosperity is nothing but an illusion"
Who is Dr. Gu?
Both ziak ziak and makan mean what?
What is eat
"False idols! Satanic objects! Leave this house of peace"
Who is Sister Gracie?
What breed of dogs do the Gurkhas use to patrol Tyersall Park?
What are Dobermans?
Who sold his Singapore properties in the 1980's for many millions and moved to Hawaii but constantly laments that he would be a billionaire today "if he'd just waited a few more years"
Who is Clarence T'sien aka poor Uncle Clarence (descended from the lineage of Rosemary Young, the sister of Sir James Young)