How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Everyone knew that Dato' Tai Toh Lui made his first fortune the dirty way by bringing down Loong Ha Bank in the early eighties, but in the two decades since, the efforts of his wife, Datin Carol Tai, on behalf of the right charities had burnished the Tai name into one of respectability. (1.2.1)
In this world, it is not enough to have money, but a family must look good and scandal-free. Nothing more charitable than donating to make your family name look better.
Quote #2
She knew that there was no point making a scene, demanding an explanation. Any sort of explanation that could cause even the tiniest scratch on their picture-perfect life. (1.12.27)
Astrid struggles to piece together that her husband is sleeping with another woman. Is she more concerned that he's being unfaithful or that it tarnishes their pristine world?
Quote #3
"And if you are not here, you have all the advantage. You will show everyone that you are NOT rolling out the red carpet for this girl, and you won't lose face if she turns out to be a total nightmare." (1.13.54)
Daisy Foo's advice is entirely to help Eleanor save face in case Rachel Chu is an embarrassment to the entire family.
Quote #4
"Remember, this is Asia, and first impressions can be deceiving […] Many of the wealthiest people here make an effort not to stand out, and most of the time, you would never know you were standing next to a billionaire." (1.18.12)
Peik Lin's sage words give us a necessary context to understand the family portraits painted in the novel. With a haunting irony, too, Rachel literally is dating a billionaire and she has no idea.
Quote #5
These Singaporeans dressed in their own distinct hodgepodge of styles and wore less jewelry since they were always so scared of being robbed. Hong Kong women tended to dress alike and sport huge rocks, while the Japanese ladies with their sun visors and fanny packs looked like they were on the way to the golf course. (2.7.14)
It isn't just the Singapore elite who have a token style: Hong Kong and Japanese women are apparently as easy to pick out as a tourist wearing a poncho in San Francisco.
Quote #6
"I don't want people thinking that I can't afford to buy my wife a proper dress." (2.10.31)
Eddie Cheng, the classiest of classy, criticizes his wife's taste, not because it doesn't look good on her. No, it's because it's somehow a poor reflection of him. Run, Fiona, run!
Quote #7
"Growing up with only one parent—especially in a place where everyone goes to such great lengths to present a picture-perfect family—really sets you apart." (2.13.40)
Sophie Khoo names what we assume through most of the book. People will do nearly anything, like sabotaging their children's love lives, to maintain appearances.
Quote #8
"I tell you, old Dr. Gu is worth hundreds of millions by now."
Peik Lin stared with renewed wonder as the man with a shock of unruly white hair came hobbling out onto his porch in a brown polyester short-sleeve shirt that looked like it had been tailored in pre-Castro Havana and a pair of dark green pajama bottoms. (2.16.13-2.16.14)
Peik Lin doesn't take her own advice: she doesn't expect Dr. Gu, dressed in his simple, drab wear, to be a kabillionaire. Well, give or take a kabillion.
Quote #9
Outside on the east terrace, Astrid hid behind the dense row of Italian cypresses, waiting for Michael to arrive at her parents' house. As soon as she caught sight of him, she rushed to the front door to meet him so that it would appear they had arrived together. (3.2.9)
Poor Astrid, hiding behind plants to keep up appearances, but it's better than being the new subject of all the gossip.
Quote #10
"Why is it so […] important for us to look picture-perfect every time we walk out the door? Who exactly are you trying to impress? [...] You really care so much about them that you'd rather hit your own son over an accident that you caused in the first place by screaming at him for wearing the wrong cummerbund?" (3.6.83)
That Eddie, a man who goes to "great lengths," like Sophie Khoo references. It finally catches up to him and we see a glorious side of Fiona in response.