Reviews

Entitlement by Rumaan Alam

readwithmaleah's review against another edition

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2.0

A book exploring privilege, race, and class in a bold and unconventional way, but unfortunately the synopsis sounded more intriguing than it ended up being. It started strong and was initially gripping, but over halfway through I wasn't hooked into the story or characters the way I expected to be and felt it lacked heart. Disappointing since I really enjoyed the author's first book.

boderoen's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I found this book to be a little slow. I liked the examination of money and what it really means to various people. 

saraplanzreadz's review against another edition

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5.0

Brooke has just started a new job, working for a retired billionaire as he looks to give away his vast fortune. She thinks this new role may be the purpose she has been looking for, a way to effect change, impress her mother and friends, and begin to feel like she can be successful on her own. As she works to find worthy causes and projects deserving of these life changing funds, she begins to think about the ways that money could better her life. New clothes, car service, a new apartment, all things that Brooke wants badly. She's not needy but she is just as deserving, right? As she works side by side with a man of incredible wealth, her role as his protégé takes on a new meaning as she starts to see herself wanting to be in the world that he inhabits.

The thing that I love most about Rumaan Alam's books is that he can explore issues of class, race, and privilege in the most intriguing ways, and "Entitlement" is another excellent example of this. This book takes our own preconceived notions of these issues and holds up a mirror to ourselves and our beliefs, especially about the ideas of need and philanthropy. Alam is never afraid to make the reader uncomfortable with his writing and there were quite a few sections that made me question my own understanding and biases about these topics. Who is deserving in this world? What is independence when strings are often attached? This sharp and biting novel will have you asking these questions and more.

jgendler's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

mariannec's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

akmackrell's review against another edition

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challenging funny reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

foulone's review against another edition

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dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

blackcake2024's review against another edition

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emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

walkman_fades's review against another edition

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3.0

I wanted to like this more but found the multiple narrative voices in single paragraphs clunky and distracting. Interesting premise though. A solid addition to the ‘disaffected female Gen Z’er (living in New York) cooly sabotages their life’ genre.

andrea_m_truitt's review against another edition

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dark reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0