Book With a View

International bestselling author Kevin Kwan discusses his much-awaited book Sex & Vanity —and yes, it’s also a trilogy

- Anton San Diego

A man like Kevin Kwan needs no introduction. His books are part of the exclusive list that has made it to the New York Times’ and Time Magazine’s top picks for summer reads. He is also the mind behind the sensational trilogy that’s brought us beyond the gilded walls of Asia’s most glamorous lifestyles. Today, he discusses his new book, Sex & Vanity, and how it manages to differentiate itself from Kwan’s earlier successes.

Tatler Asia: Following the immense success of Crazy Rich Asians, did you find yourself needing to step back and re-centre yourself to conceptualise and write a new book? Kevin Kwan: Yes. I really felt the need to do something totally different. The Crazy Rich Asians trilogy was a huge part of my life for eight years. I started writing it in 2009 and did not slow down. I was in this roller coaster until 2018, so it’s great to be able to slow down and think of a new project to do. Sex & Vanity is a book I have dreamt of writing for at least 10 years and it’s all come together now in a very nice way. After that crazy tidal wave that was the Crazy Rich Asians [series and movie], I finally knew how to tell a story I wanted to tell.