Entitlement: A Novel By Rumaan Alam

Entitlement, by the bestselling author of Leave the World Behind, is a sharp and thought-provoking exploration of wealth, desire, and morality in contemporary America. At its center is Brooke, a young woman who, while not in financial need, harbors deep personal desires—she craves purpose, independence, and her mother’s approval. When she lands a job assisting an aging billionaire in his mission to give away his vast fortune, she sees an opportunity to fulfill these ambitions. However, as Brooke becomes increasingly entrenched in the billionaire's world, she discovers that proximity to extreme wealth is not merely empowering—it’s transformative, blurring the lines between need and want, morality and privilege.

The novel unpacks the seductive and distorting influence of wealth. It deftly interrogates the questions of what money truly represents and the power it exerts over people’s identities, relationships, and aspirations. Themes of race, privilege, and philanthropy are interwoven with Brooke’s personal journey, as she navigates the delicate balance between wanting to make a difference in the world and being drawn into the gravitational pull of affluence.

Critically praised for its taut pacing and unsettling insight, Entitlement is a gripping and provocative reflection on the American imagination in the modern Gilded Age. It captures the intoxicating allure of money and the ways in which it can reshape lives, for better or worse.