By hannover-web.com In an interview setting, I would love to speak with Rumaan Alam about his latest novel, *Entitlement*, which follows up on his previous bestseller, *Leave the World Behind*. The opening lines of your book take some daring risks, starting with the evocative phrase, “It was a strange, sultry summer,” reminiscent of Sylvia Plath’s *The Bell Jar*. What motivated you to make such an impactful connection to a literary classic right from the get-go?
Set in 2014, the story begins with a troubling news report about an unidentified man in the New York subway who is injecting women with a needle. You’ve given this character a rather darkly humorous moniker, the Subway Pricker. Was this choice intentional? How do you perceive the interplay between humor and the darker themes in your book?
At the core of *Entitlement* is your protagonist, Brooke, a 33-year-old Black woman who becomes the assistant to 83-year-old billionaire Asher Jaffee. He introduces her to his world of philanthropy, aiming to distribute his wealth for good. Can you share your insights on their dynamic? What did you hope to unveil about the intersection of wealth and morality through their relationship?
The narrative also features other well-off characters, such as a prominent plastic surgeon and Brooke’s socialite aunt. In your view, how does wealth influence their identities and desires throughout the story?
As Brooke grapples with her financial reality, Asher offers her a substantial check as a “gesture.” How does this moment encapsulate the broader themes of desire and moral complexity in your writing?
While *Leave the World Behind* builds a strong sense of tension, *Entitlement* sometimes takes on a more meandering pace. Was that a deliberate decision on your part? How do you perceive the pacing of your narrative and its effect on reader engagement?
I noticed a subplot involving a community school that repeatedly rejects Asher’s generous offers. Was it challenging to keep that storyline believable? What message were you aiming to convey through the community’s refusal of his money?
Your narrative style often shifts perspectives among characters. How do you believe these shifts impact the story’s tension? Was it difficult to manage these transitions in a way that maintained suspense?
Additionally, I found some of your language particularly striking, especially the phrase “advocate for the devil.” What significance does language hold for you in shaping the reader’s experience, and how do you approach crafting dialogue and descriptions?
Towards the conclusion, the story picks up momentum, providing resolution for the central characters. Can you discuss this resolution and the relief it offers, even if it doesn’t deliver a sense of redemption?
*Entitlement* delves deeply into themes of money, desire, and morality, but do you feel that some of these themes were sometimes eclipsed by the book’s more eccentric stylistic choices? How do you hope readers will engage with these ideas despite any distractions?
Finally, with *Entitlement* published by Bloomsbury, how do you envision it contributing to ongoing conversations about wealth and value in contemporary society for readers interested in these themes?
