Chapter 9 of Crazy Rich Asians introduces a bit more about Astrid’s background and life today. Astrid is always described as the perfect woman – fabulous, chic, gorgeous, rich, cultured, well educated. She is the person all women want to be and all men want to be with. In an earlier chapter, we were introduced to Astrid’s fabulous travel and shopping habits, but Chapter 9 is the first real glimpse into her not-simple life.

Astrid is back in Singapore taking care of her son, Casian. She reads him the book Bonsoir Lune, the French version of Goodnight Moon. To start your children on French with this timeless book, you can find it here.

Now to experience life like Astrid! First she lights some fig-apricot scented candles, and then opens Sauternes that was recommended to her by the sommelier at Taillevent.

Astrid’s childhood is described a bit in Chapter 9. Girls were to go to the Methodist Girls’ School, Singapore Chinese Girls’ School, or the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus.  Then, they matriculated at the National University of Singapore or to school in England.  Astrid, however, did not follow the set plan.

In Astrid’s early fashion as a teen, she wore a vintage Saint Laurent Le Smoking jacket with batik shorts, wore Antwerp Six, Christian LaBoutins stilettos. When she attended school in London, she lived in private quarters in the Calthorpe Hotel. Astrid’s boyfriend, Charlie Wu proposed on a ski lift in Verbier with a thirty nine caroat diamond solitaire.

When she went to Paris after the engagement, she was seen attending a Valentino show, eating lunches at Le Coltaire.

Her wedding to Michael Teo included music from Paul McCartney.

She and Michael are then described in a domestic scene, where they dine on steamed whole pomfret in ginger-wne sauce and clay pot rice.