'How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia' by Mohsin Hamid is a novel written in a unique second-person narrative style. The story follows the rise and fall of an unnamed boy in a fast-changing metropolis, exploring themes of materialism, personal growth, and societal barriers. The book cleverly uses a modern self-help book format to deliver a narrative that delves into the effects of postcolonialism and capitalism on a developing country, showcasing the protagonist's journey from poverty to wealth through love, business, and personal ambitions.
The writing style of the book is quick, smart, and funny, with each chapter dedicated to a step toward getting rich. The characters remain nameless, identified in relation to the main character, creating a sense of intimacy and engagement with the reader. Through witty commentary and clever turns of phrases, Mohsin Hamid provides a humorous yet poignant depiction of societal issues like corruption, lack of basic services, and the pursuit of success in a challenging environment.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Potential content warnings include themes of corruption, sexual encounters, and socio-economic struggles.
Has Romance?
Romantic elements are present, as the protagonist experiences love and relationships throughout the narrative, though they are not the primary focus.
From The Publisher:
"Mr. Hamid reaffirms his place as one of his generation's most inventive and gifted writers." -Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times
"A globalized version of The Great Gatsby . . . [Hamid's] book is nearly that good." -Alan Cheuse, NPR
"Marvelous and moving." -TIME Magazine
From the internationally bestselling author of The Reluctant Fundamentalist and Exit West, the boldly imagined tale of a poor boy's quest for wealth and love
His first two novels established Mohsin Hamid as a radically inventive storyteller with his finger on the world's pulse. How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia meets that reputation-and exceeds it. The astonishing and riveting tale of a man's journey from impoverished rural boy to corporate tycoon, it steals its shape from the business self-help books devoured by ambitious youths all over "rising Asia." It follows its nameless hero to the sprawling metropolis where he begins to amass an empire built on that most fluid, and increasingly scarce, of goods: water. Yet his heart remains set on something else, on the pretty girl whose star rises along with his, their paths crossing and recrossing, a lifelong affair sparked and snuffed and sparked again by the forces that careen their fates along.
How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia is a striking slice of contemporary life at a time of crushing upheaval. Romantic without being sentimental, political without being didactic, and spiritual without being religious, it brings an unflinching gaze to the violence and hope it depicts. And it creates two unforgettable characters who find moments of transcendent intimacy in the midst of shattering change.
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About the Author:
Mohsin Hamid is the author of the international bestsellers Exit West and The Reluctant Fundamentalist, both finalists for the Man Booker Prize. His first novel, Moth Smoke, won the Betty Trask Award and was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Foundation…
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