Random Things Tours: Park Avenue by Renée Ahdieh

 

I am always interesting in novel trying to explore the layers of success for people with different cultural background. Indeed, there are many successful ones, but does anyone really went into how success can be reached and consumed in different contexts?

Park Avenue by YA bestseller author Renée Ahdieh is her first adult novel. Second generation of Korean-American Jia Song is determined to advance on the social ladder of her company and thus, achieving a respectful position within the society. But success always come with a price, and Jia may learn to explore all those fine lines between compromise and enmities that come with it. As she is assigned a very sensitive case, with a high value of power and prestige, she may be caught in the middle of a family dispute where is impossible to remain neutral. 

This book may say a lot about aspirations and dreams of being rich and beautiful, and the language is perfectly fitting the ambiance. There is a diverse and complicated cast of characters, that are wisely lead into the story and do add interesting twists into the narrative. 

I´ve enjoyed the story and the naturalistic approach to being rich and famous, and the ethical risks it may entangle. It may have many similarities with books about luxury and fame and being Asian in America, but in fact, it goes in a bit different direction that may reconsider the temptation and reveal its least appealing aspects.

Park Avenue is a book worth reading if you are interested in multicultural stories with a unique take on the projections of success and glamour.

Rating: 4 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own