Entitlement

by Rumaan Alam

Literary Fiction

Social Satire

288 Pages

"Alam's wit is absolutely brilliant—this incisive novel about wealth and power made me laugh and cringe in equal measure."

Synopsis

Brooke wants more from life than her current circumstances allow. Working as an assistant to Asher Jaffee, an aging billionaire philanthropist, she finds herself drawn into a world of extraordinary wealth and influence that both fascinates and disturbs her. As Brooke becomes more deeply involved in Asher's charitable foundation and personal affairs, she begins to understand the complex mechanisms through which the ultra-wealthy exercise power and maintain their positions. Entitlement follows Brooke as she navigates the moral ambiguities of working for someone whose vast fortune enables both genuine good works and questionable personal behavior. Through her experiences with Asher's family, associates, and beneficiaries, she discovers that proximity to extreme wealth comes with its own costs and compromises. The novel explores how money shapes relationships, corrupts ideals, and creates systems of dependence that can trap even those who believe themselves to be acting with good intentions. Alam examines the psychology of entitlement—both the sense of deserving more that drives Brooke's ambitions and the assumption of privilege that governs Asher's worldview. As Brooke becomes increasingly enmeshed in Asher's world, she must confront difficult questions about her own values, ambitions, and willingness to compromise her principles for access to power and luxury.

Our Take

Entitlement showcases Rumaan Alam's exceptional talent for social observation and satirical wit, following his acclaimed Leave the World Behind with a novel that's both entertaining and incisive in its critique of contemporary American wealth culture. Alam's background and keen eye for class dynamics bring authenticity to his portrayal of how extreme wealth operates in practice, revealing the subtle and not-so-subtle ways that money shapes human relationships and moral choices. His exploration of philanthropy as both genuine altruism and sophisticated power exercise feels particularly relevant to contemporary discussions about billionaire activism and charitable giving. The novel's examination of how proximity to wealth can corrupt even well-intentioned people echoes the social criticism found in The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe and Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan, but with Alam's distinctive voice and more psychological focus. His prose combines literary sophistication with accessible humor, making complex themes about power and privilege both understandable and engaging. The character of Brooke is particularly well-developed, representing the millions of people who work adjacent to extreme wealth while struggling with their own financial insecurity and moral compromises. Perfect for readers who enjoy literary fiction with social commentary, satirical novels that illuminate contemporary culture, and stories that explore the moral complexities of ambition and success in modern America. This book confirms Alam's position as one of the most perceptive chroniclers of contemporary American society.