Brilliant and dark. Our protagonist is swept up in a world of NYC philanthropy that captures her imagination and gives her permission to explore her wants. It doesn't take long for her to cross a line of societal norm. It escalates from there into a slow-burn psychological thriller. You want to cheer for Brooke, this protagonist who is attempting to break into a world where she doesn't truly belong at all costs. But, oof, it's a dangerous game she's playing. Alam has put into writing something we understand but rarely look at so directly: money is everything but you can't just have it. Or can you?

Rumaan Alam is a brilliant talent - everything he does is fresh and distinctive with this incredible one of a kind voice. I loved it.

Entitlement by Rumaan Alam is a sharp, incisive novel that explores themes of privilege, identity, and the complexity of relationships in contemporary society. Set against the backdrop of a summer in the Hamptons, the story centers on a group of characters whose lives intersect in unexpected and revealing ways. At its heart, Entitlement examines the personal and societal forces that shape individual actions and attitudes, particularly focusing on issues of class, race, and the divide between those who have power and those who don't.

The novel delves into the inner lives of its characters, exploring their deep insecurities, desires, and the ways in which they navigate their entitlement—both real and perceived. Alam’s writing is sharp and observant, capturing the nuances of modern life and the tensions that simmer beneath the surface of social interactions. With its exploration of privilege, race, and the assumptions we make about each other, Entitlement is a thought-provoking and timely read for those interested in social dynamics and the human condition.

A little slow and hard to really get into, but would still recommend for fans of Succession as it features rich people behaving badly and has a generally ominous air that I did enjoy.

Rumaan Alam is one of my favorite authors, and I will automatically buy anything he writes. I thought Entitlement was such a clever way into a tale as old as time. Loved it.

An unsettling novel about a young black woman, who, upon meeting a billionaire, starts seeing her world and personality unravel, as her world crumbles under the weight of the discrepancy between her life and that of her new friend and mentor.

The book is a scathing critique of social inequalities and the psychological effects these have, over and above any tangible quality of life aspects. It describes the steady erosion of self and morals, as a sense of entitlement starts governing one's life. The depiction of how disconnected the lives of the ultra-rich really are from the rest of us is, while not entirely new, refreshing in its handling of the more psychological aspects of that experience. Effectively, we see how the morality of a billionaire, bordering on sociopathy, infects a regular(ish) person, and destroys everything they hold dear. This exposes the intrinsic horror in his morality, which is only socially acceptable (or at least tolerated) when practiced by an ultra rich person.

I really liked the book - it was well written and hard to put down, the psychological profile of the protagonist was nuanced and complex, and the ideas at the core of this book were interesting and revealing. It was also unsettling - the last 30-40% of the book were really upsetting, really bringing home the unraveling of our protagonists. These scenes were emotive and hard to stomach, and, at the same time, excellent reading.

I highly recommend to anyone interested in exploring additional facets of the socio-economic divide in society, and the psychological implications of being confronted by it. It's not an easy read, but a rewarding one nonetheless.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Rumaan’s first novel blew me away. The world he created and brought us into was one that felt devastatingly believable. This one is much the same, smart and gripping.