In this week's Endnotes, we take a look at Rumaan Alam's Entitlement (Riverhead, Sept.), which Publishers Weekly called "an unsettling novel about a 30-something middle-class Black New Yorker unmoored by her billionaire boss’s wealth and power."
Here's how the book came together.
Rumaan Alam, Author
“This book began with an idea that had come up in conversation: a woman who married an apartment.
The finished book strays far from this, naturally, but it remains salient, I think—the idea that deliverance or salvation might be achieved not via romance but through a transaction. The writing and revision process is always the same; slow, deliberate work, the principal challenge of which is maintaining your own stamina.”
Sarah McGrath, SVP and Editor-in-Chief, Riverhead
“Rumaan knew from the start exactly what he wanted this novel to be, and it was a privilege to watch him perfect it.
I found that editorial conversations with Rumaan actually mirror the experience of reading his fiction: every exchange was fast-paced, insightful, intense, and profound, but also satisfying and fun.”
Julie Barer, Founding Partner and Agent, the Book Group
“I was immediately drawn into this keenly observed and insightful but also tense and chilling story about New York City, money, race, identity—all the things Rumaan has shown himself to be a master at dissecting and exploring. The entire team at Riverhead has gotten behind this new book with enormous energy and enthusiasm, and it’s been wonderful to be on this journey to publication with them.”
Grace Han, Associate Art and Design Director, Riverhead
“I pictured visual artist Tishk Barzanji’s work as I read the manuscript. I’m so happy we were able to collaborate with him for the cover art. We wanted to create an ominous mood while highlighting opulence with the use of composition and color. Tishk is a master when it comes to all of this.”
