As you read the dramatic opening scene, what were your theories about the backstory behind the fatal showdown between Henry Tong and Roger Gao? How did the opulence and the outrageousness set the tone for the rest of the novel?
The opulence and outrageousness sets the tone for the novel by putting us in a world of ridiculous wealth, social ambition, and spectacle. The lavish, over-the-top details—the brands, the clothes, the absurd luxury, the uber-pretentious social rituals—tell us this is not just about the rich, but about the absurdly rich. This tone frames the novel’s satirical lens: beneath the glittering surface lies sharp commentary on class, family expectations, and the illusion of status. The extravagance on full display also fully displays the emotional and cultural pressures the characters come up against.
The fatal showdown between Henry Tong and Roger Gao in the opening sets up dramatic, high stakes for the future. I imagined the backstory being over-the-top soap-operatic based on the opening scene. Then I imagined the showdown having a ripple effect, the ripples getting more unsettled as time goes by. I guessed that Eden was Henry’s daughter being raised by his responsible older brother. But what happened to Eden’s mother? And what happened to Roger Gao? These were the questions.
I really had no idea where we were going from there. I figured it out before the actual tell, but not much before that. I love how the authors is able to write a whole book around that one scene.
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When I read the opening scene, I guessed the fight was about something big—maybe money, family drama, or a love problem. It was so over-the-top that I knew the rest of the book would be just as wild.
“not just the rich, but the absurdly rich” This is a great description of the pretentiousness that was to be expected.
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Marybeth_T, I’m where you were and agree with your opinion, but I did not figure it out before the actual tell. 