Sarong party girls where to find

Jazzy's story is one of young women coming of age in Singapore, her personal discovery of what it takes to find what she wants and needs. It is ribaldry sexual, in your face desperate promiscuity, including adulterous husbands and a brothel. But the social commentary, the Singlish and the terrific character development create a thought provoking novel.

This is my first book from Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan. Our main heroine in this book is Jazzy, a year-old, born and living in Singapore. In her mind, she is getting old and her time to get married is running out. She wants to marry an English Man, become rich, move abroad and have his babies. To achieve this, Jazzy and her friends make a deal to start going into clubs and places and meet their perfect English men. They become Sarong Party Girls, and from chapter to chapter we read about new adventures and troubles that Jazzy gets herself into.

This book is unique in many ways, there are a lot of immoral scenes that teach us moral lessons. From chapter to chapter she kept making stupid decisions, and even though she learnt a little bit in the end, she was still clueless at so many things, which I find annoying.

It is an amazing book, with quality writing that I am sure represents Singaporeans well, culture a plenty and many scenes that trigger discussions. Blog Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Sep 27, Chaitra rated it it was ok Shelves: womens-literature , chick-lit , contemporary-fiction , jane-austen , retellings-spinoffs-adaptations , asian-literature.

I am not sure about this book. I knew before I went into it that it was loosely based on Emma , and Emma is my least favorite Jane Austen book. But, I've never read anything set in Singapore, so, I'm game.

I'm not sure I liked it. I think it's mostly because I can't figure out if it's stereotyping taken to a rather extreme level or if it's an accurate reflection of how things really are for Singaporean girls. If it's accurate, it's depressing because it seems like sexual exploitation is a part of I am not sure about this book. If it's accurate, it's depressing because it seems like sexual exploitation is a part of being men in Singapore, and it's all legal and above board and are used for business deals I know KTV lounges exist, but I still felt hopelessly sheltered when I read this.

Every man Jazzy meets up with seems to be cheating on his wife or girl friend or both of them. There has to be more in life? I mean, in the end, Jazzy comes to the realization that she needs no one, but, it's not something that she's been considering much of the time.

She's just forced into situations she doesn't really want to be in, and she can't say no. I didn't get the feeling that she was like Sher, her friend who gave up on white guys and married a Chinese-Singaporean, because she was just tired living her life the way Jazzy, Imo and Fann still are. I guess I don't trust Jazzy to not make bad decisions beyond the book's end. As for the book itself, I enjoyed the Singlish - even though I didn't catch the exact meaning of the words, I still got the gist of it.

But it's also casually racist, and about as far away from feminism as it can get. It's got a surface feel of being a beach read, but ultimately it just depressed me. Aug 30, Alice-Elizabeth rated it it was ok Shelves: read-in , bame , alice-reads-adult-fiction.

I'm so sorry friends, but this one was not for me. Borrowed from my local library's e-book service! Described as the perfect book for fans of Crazy Rich Asians which I read last year , Sarong Party Girls transports you stright into the party world and rich vibrancy of Singapore to the main character of Jazzy. She and her friends have been pushed into tough beliefs that having status and a rich marriage is the right way to go. They come together to create a pact and find some rich guys to marry b I'm so sorry friends, but this one was not for me.

They come together to create a pact and find some rich guys to marry by seeking out the various nightclubs and social events. The Goodreads blurb for this book adds this is a reimagining of Jane Austen's Emma. I love Jane Austen.

I feel quite weary whenever I find a storyline that is heavily inspired by classics. To me, Sarong Party Girls focused far too much on nightclubbing, characters cheating on each other, taking shots etc.

Reading Asian Fiction is something I really want to focus on. This is one that I couldn't connect to as much as I would have liked! Loved it! Chic-Lit with a difference. Sarong Party Girls was written in Singlish, which is the patois Singaporeans speak to each other.

I loved reading every page of Sarong Party Girls which tops my reading as a chic -Lit with a unique hilarious story set in modern Asia. Jazzy hatches a plan just before her 27th birthday, that her and her best friends need to get married with Chanel babies. How funny it's time for them all to get serious about finding themselves a husband that includes them Wow!

How funny it's time for them all to get serious about finding themselves a husband that includes them all having a meeting after work. My favourite funny line was No husband, no two-carat diamond ring, not even a boyfriend. May 12, Michelle rated it really liked it Shelves: arc , july Copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review On my recent flight to Singapore, I thought it was fitting to read Sarong Party Girls by Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan since this book takes place in Singapore.

As I was reading this book, it reminded me a bit of Crazy Rich Asians and so I was thoroughly invested into the vivid and crazy antics Ms. Tan was able to portray with her characters. Sarong Party Girls somewhat stays true to young Asian women in Singapore where fashion, money, glam, and soc Copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review On my recent flight to Singapore, I thought it was fitting to read Sarong Party Girls by Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan since this book takes place in Singapore.

Sarong Party Girls somewhat stays true to young Asian women in Singapore where fashion, money, glam, and social status is a must. And so Ms. Tan dives into her book as she introduces readers to Jazzy and her colorful and entertaining life that consists of social mingling and lots of partying. So of course, this book is lots of craziness to keep readers entertained as we get a small taste of what Singapore is like.

And as I was finishing up this book while I was in Singapore, I can actually picture the taste and sounds of Singapore since I did find certain hotels and bars in the city to be pretentious and immediately I thought of Jazzy and her friends.

So if you are looking for a book that was hilarious, witty, smart, fun, fresh and insightful then this book is for you. Jul 01, Alexis Jackson rated it it was ok. While this book allows you to gain the "lower" to middle class perspective of some women in Singapore, I couldn't help but think that the image and representation being painted here is distasteful, maybe even offensive.

Although I'm sure that all the author shares, while a fictional interpretation, is true, regarding the restless nightlife, desire to claim an American husband for a better future, the stigmatisms against tradition, and more, I had trouble both respecting and liking our narrator, Jazeline.

She is presented as an almost-thirty year old woman, still living at home in her parent's house, with a pretty good job, and no dating prospects. Evenings and weekends are filled with drinking and clubbing, the pursuit of "ang mohs," but is this realistic? Finding a life partner while clubbing? At this book's close, Jazzy comes to realize a couple of things: she is less judgmental in Sher's marriage of an Ah Beng , she has a clearer sense of some right and wrong that she has been a shitty friend, that KTV lounges offers a horrible image of women, and they are sexually exploited , and that she really only needs herself.

I would say that this was less than a satisfying end; while I respect that she decides to pursuit a more fulfilling career, and has found respect for herself, is it enough? Not to be corny, but the whole book was about the prospect of love--if she isn't going to find it in a man, can she at least admit that she LOVES herself? I think this book was meant to enlighten and surprise, but living in an age where more and more women are becoming independent, I think this title could've done a better job in Jazzy's search of herself.

Oct 31, Katie rated it liked it Shelves: format-ebook , how-library , books-read-in , books-read-innew. This was too long, I think. It felt like a lot of the same over and over until the very end. Jazzy wasn't always very likable, but. Like, she felt young more than anything else. And certainly it was uncomfortable reading at times, seeing lots of misogyny, including internal misogyny.

Apr 24, Christine rated it it was ok Shelves: malaysia-singapore , reviewed , chick-lit. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I love Singapore books, and though SPG stereotypes can be the bane of my existence sometimes, I can see how a character like that can be a novelist's dream.

So much to unpack, man. Which is why I was very excited when Cheryl Tan announced this book! Sadly, it left me feeling rather meh. Nothing seems to change in the novel. Nothing much happens. It's chapter after chapter of the main character talking about how chio she is, how she makes men steam; how Sher is the prettiest and Imo is cute but F I love Singapore books, and though SPG stereotypes can be the bane of my existence sometimes, I can see how a character like that can be a novelist's dream.

It's chapter after chapter of the main character talking about how chio she is, how she makes men steam; how Sher is the prettiest and Imo is cute but Fann is kinda plain; partying at similar places with the same sleazy men all of whom, whether local or foreign, seem to be cheating on their partners ; how irritating her mom is; making bad decisions over and over.

I feel there's no character development except in the last two pages, when Jazzy suddenly, a bit out of nowhere, decides she doesn't need anyone after all. I feel like the author grapples with SPGs and China girls, dislikes how Asian women are treated in certain circles but at the same time hates how these women sometimes perpetuate negative stereotypes themselves - but she wasn't quite sure how to turn those issues into a compelling narrative.

Kudos on using Singlish. I enjoyed the slang, though I'm a Hokkien Malaysian so I did understand every word. In the end, I'm glad I read this - it has its moments: Jazzy's mom - heck, all the moms, especially Imo's, are women I would've liked to know more about; flashbacks to Jazzy's teenage years made me smile.

The chick lit cover hides how dark this novel can be. Fathers disappointing their daughters runs through this novel, and what happened with Louis was a heartbreaking incident that the author depicts in shades of grey he did not force her, but she felt she had no choice So what kind of intercourse is that?

It's supposed to be over the top and satirical, but in the end I thought it was a sad, realistic glimpse into the desperate lives of some women and men in the city state. Jul 18, Jessica rated it really liked it.

Synopsis: a book about three ethnically Chinese Singaporean women who set out on a quest to find rich white husbands so they can have maids and highrises.

You'd think I'd hate it. It's really a 3. There comes a time, I think, in every woman's life when she realizes the degree to which systematic misogyny pollutes every part of her life and through this quest, Jazzy, at 26, is coming to realize that she's not as okay as she thought wi Synopsis: a book about three ethnically Chinese Singaporean women who set out on a quest to find rich white husbands so they can have maids and highrises.

There comes a time, I think, in every woman's life when she realizes the degree to which systematic misogyny pollutes every part of her life and through this quest, Jazzy, at 26, is coming to realize that she's not as okay as she thought with the gender roles assigned to her in Singaporean society.

She runs into problems with her job the threat of being put to pasture where all late-twenties assistants go ; her friendships; her romantic and sexual relationships as well as the issue of consent in situations where it's not so obvious the way a woman may feel pressured into sex. Jazzy has agency and is deeply, deeply flawed. She makes terrible decisions, but feels badly about them. She has prejudices and greed and throughout the book, she gets into situations that lead her to the realization that she deserves more than an okay guy who can provide for her; that happiness comes in different forms and perhaps their initial goal was not as much of a slam dunk as she thought.

Written in first person, Tan uses a lively Singaporish that takes some getting used to think Clockwork Orange kind of slang , but once you do, it really sets a fun and fast rhythm in her cadence. Jul 24, Heather Young rated it it was amazing. In Jazzy, Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan's lively, sassy narrator, a cultural phenomenon finds its voice: the young, status-obsessed Singaporean women who roam Singapore's glitzy nightclub scene in spike-heeled swarms, hell-bent on snagging the ultimate trophy, a white, ex-pat husband.

Jazzy is determined that she and her two fellow "sarong party girls" will snag their "ang mohs" before they age out at the horrifyingly old age of But what starts out as a fun romp through hilariously over-the-top nightcl In Jazzy, Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan's lively, sassy narrator, a cultural phenomenon finds its voice: the young, status-obsessed Singaporean women who roam Singapore's glitzy nightclub scene in spike-heeled swarms, hell-bent on snagging the ultimate trophy, a white, ex-pat husband.

But what starts out as a fun romp through hilariously over-the-top nightclubs deepens as the book goes along, as Jazzy begins to question what it really means to be a woman in Singapore, and faces her own hedonism with an honest eye. It's also written entirely in Singlish, a singsong distillation of English, Chinese, Malay and other languages that -- don't worry -- is easy to read and very understandable.

I loved this book: it's fresh, smart, sneakily heartwarming, and unlike anything else out there. Jul 06, Amy McLay Paterson rated it really liked it. I picked up this book because of the comparisons to Emma and Breakfast at Tiffany's, but it actually reminded me most of A Clockwork Orange.

Not only because of the linguistic tricks, but also because Tan's interrogation of a certain type of toxic hyper-femininity strikes me as similar to Burgess' treatment of Alex's views on masculinity.

Aug 01, Fern rated it liked it. Bimbo beach read. Fine for a Western audience unfamiliar with the milieu, but as Singaporean reader, found myself struggling with cognitive dissonance.

Pop cultural references that are too old for the 20something protagonists and new "Singlish" constructions fasterly? Jul 30, N.

Brisson rated it it was amazing. I am a language and word lover so that was all I needed to get me to give the book a try. I was afraid it would be some fluffy chick lit, but like the chick lit I have read, it contains deeper thoughts and redeeming qualities. On the surface the narrator, Jazeline Jazzy and her friends, Imo, Fann and Sher seem quite superficial.

They have been girls, like many girls in America, who go to work all week and then head out clubbing on the weekends. They are modern girls so they drink a lot, dance a lot, and they sleep around a bit. The dialect they speak in uses many references we think of as sexual and this fact alone means that this book will not suit all readers.

The story line reminds me, however, of an old American movie with the title How to Marry a Millionaire except these girls are already sexually active and they want to marry white guys ang mohs. Still, like the women in the movie, it is easy to like Jazeline, and to wish her well despite the rather materialistic project she is currently pursuing.

Every once in a while Jazzy shows some real insight into certain realities about the treatment of women in modern Singapore and elsewhere by men, especially obvious if you go clubbing every weekend in a bar scene where wealthy men like to keep an entourage of young pretty women around them while they party.

The author, Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan, manages to stay in dialect, using the hip cadences of Singlish almost all of the time. She is getting too old for the clubs and she is feeling pressured to find her ang moh right now. This woman was really damn action! Her eyes are quite big and pretty, so she knows that when she acts drama a bit with them, men confirm will steam when they see it. Some more she always outlines her eyes with thick thick black black pencil, so it makes them look bigger and darker, a bit like those chio Bollywood actresses.

This type of move — yes is quite obvious drama, but that night, I thought to myself, Jazzy, better take notes. If you can pull this off well, it can be quite useful. How to tell him about a society where girls grow up watching their fathers have mistresses and second families on the side?

Or one in which you find out one day that it is your mother who is the concubine and that you are the second family? Cheyenne Beh. On the lookout for the perfect white husband. Photo: Everett Collection. READ: Why Race is Such an Ingrained Part of Southeast Asian Culture The intriguing subculture of Sarong Party Girls tells us something about gender and racial politics but can you blame a woman for desiring this presumed wealth and influence and her need to seal this status through a transaction, ahem, I mean marriage?

After all, not everyone is lucky enough to fall in love for love. Before we form any more opinions, let us revisit the backstory of the SPG. Tags: CULTURE , FILM , book , asian , marriage , couple , white , discrimination , sarong party girl , fetishism , yellow fever , prejudice , interracial , stereotypes , suzy wong , cheryl lu lien tan.

By Mikha Chan. By Marissa Chin. Instagram: 10 Years On. White men are more proactive in going after women. Local men shy away in fear of rejection which is essentially an end to itself.

With bigger builds with a much stronger masculine feel to them, these white men perhaps provide a sense of security to the women whom despite everything, still need a strong shoulder to lean on.

Last but not least, and possibly the most important factor of all, most local men are not as well endowed in their ahem manhood as their white counterparts. Ouch, that one must have hit the local men deepest in their hearts. And perhaps somewhere else as well. While reading this, you can see that stereotypes never did represent anything very well, as there are exceptions in every case. In any case, I would choose to defend these often misunderstood women.

They date white men, but most will not exclusively choose them solely by their race. The women are seen as discarding their Asian identity, when all they are doing is having a normal relationship like everyone else, except that the spotlight is on them when they are seen out with white men. The seemingly liberal society of Singapore rears its ugly head in times like these where old judgments overrule any form of reasonable thinking. Is it really that impossible for people to look past the concept of race when it comes to affairs of the heart?

And is it always the case that the Asian woman who dates a white man would most definitely be one who yearns to be Caucasian herself?

I say no for both, because I am what people will call the modern SPG. When I go out with my boyfriend, who is your typical blonde and blue-eyed ang moh, I get more stares than if I were to venture into town naked. Not that I have tried, please do not be mistakened!

I like him because he is extremely attentive, fun-loving and we can always hold interesting conversations during the day through to the night. I did not choose to date him because he is white, neither is it because he is rich. The matter is simple — I like him, thus I go out with him. However, narrow minded people choose to scorn at my choice, and see it as betrayal to the Asian race. When we are in the city, we get the occasional second glances from others, but it gets worse the moment we step into heartland zones, when we are many a time greeted with judgmental glares from the young and old alike.

A lot of local men get bitter when they see the local women dating white men, because they feel threatened and assume that the women just see them as inferior to their Caucasian counterparts. When speaking on the topic, the responses from the women and men show opposite ends of the scale, with the females showing nonchalance and the males expressing disgust and irritation.

The following excerpt is taken from the forum. How come you would pass that judgement if a local guy is doing the same thing? And FYI - not all foreigners here are rich, well travelled I am not into bashing them, but here are some facts and you would be surprised: The rich ones are normally the CEOs.