Bestsellers from Singapore: Kevin Kwan’s trilogy

Abstract

Aim. The paper deals with the trilogy of the contemporary American writer of Singaporean descent Kevin Kwan, in which the author explores the world of the super-rich Chinese diaspora showing both its place in the modern globalized community and the contradictions and problems in its relationship with the rest of humankind. Research methods. The theory of multiculturalism, which is generally used to discuss works of Asian American writers, gives way to trans- or interculturalism in the case of Kevin Kwan because of the peculiarities of his biography and place in contemporary literature. Results. The success of Kwan’s trilogy about “crazy Asians” revealed the major components of his artistic worldview: his focus on the entertaining plot, sharp twists in the plotline, peculiarities of chronotope, connected with the life of one percent of the world’s population, intergenerational conflict, games with composition, linguistic talent, irony that often turns into satire. Scientific novelty. The works by Kevin Kwan have been dealt with only casually though his success requires a deeper insight into its mechanisms. The paper shows some of the elements of his approach to the subject matter. Practical significance. The paper may be used for a more comprehensive analysis of popular fiction and its aesthetic values.