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bballenski's review against another edition
The snark was funny to begin with, but eventually I got tired of the narrator having a commentary on everything at the expense of actual plot.
bookofcinz's review against another edition
3.0
If you loved White Tiger you will enjoy Kidnap The Rich
Honestly, I love a great title and a book with a great cover so I was instantly drawn to this book. In How to Kidnap The Rich we meet Ramesh Kumar, he grew up in the slums of the Old City of Delhi. He grew up being physically and verbally abused by his father who sells tea from a stall. One day a nun from a private school saw his potential and decides to tutor him. Ramesh soaks up all the knowledge because he knows that’s what is going to get him out of his situation.
Fast forward to a few years later and Ramesh is making bank by taking tests for the sons of India’s most elites. His clients are willing to pay big money just to have their sons acing their national university entrance exams. On one exam Ramesh did so well, the son Rudi is place first in the country and propelled to celebrity status! Ramesh takes this as his sign, he is about to be rich and nothing will stop him. That is until… he get’s kidnapped with his cash cow!
First let me say, this book started off extraordinarily strong, down to the dedication was laugh out loud funny. I really enjoyed the writing for the first part then it fell off. The jokes and situation continued to be over the top and just borderline boring. I felt the book was overly written and tried way too hard in certain parts. While I did enjoy 30% of the book, the other parts not so much.
If you enjoyed WHITE TIGER this book kinda feels like it but not as well written. It is funny in certain parts but then it got repetitive and over the top… overall an ok read.
Honestly, I love a great title and a book with a great cover so I was instantly drawn to this book. In How to Kidnap The Rich we meet Ramesh Kumar, he grew up in the slums of the Old City of Delhi. He grew up being physically and verbally abused by his father who sells tea from a stall. One day a nun from a private school saw his potential and decides to tutor him. Ramesh soaks up all the knowledge because he knows that’s what is going to get him out of his situation.
Fast forward to a few years later and Ramesh is making bank by taking tests for the sons of India’s most elites. His clients are willing to pay big money just to have their sons acing their national university entrance exams. On one exam Ramesh did so well, the son Rudi is place first in the country and propelled to celebrity status! Ramesh takes this as his sign, he is about to be rich and nothing will stop him. That is until… he get’s kidnapped with his cash cow!
First let me say, this book started off extraordinarily strong, down to the dedication was laugh out loud funny. I really enjoyed the writing for the first part then it fell off. The jokes and situation continued to be over the top and just borderline boring. I felt the book was overly written and tried way too hard in certain parts. While I did enjoy 30% of the book, the other parts not so much.
If you enjoyed WHITE TIGER this book kinda feels like it but not as well written. It is funny in certain parts but then it got repetitive and over the top… overall an ok read.
ro_rho's review against another edition
3.0
3&1/2 out of five as I preferred the first part and the very end
ella026's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this and during the first part, I did! It has a killer opening line and it kept me hooked with its dark humour and witty writing. But things quickly slow down and the tepid romance only adds weight. I think it's a structural issue for me, it teases with the first kidnapping then spends half the book going over the tragic backstory and I always get frustrated with this kind of set-up. I don't want to wait for half a book to get to the main meat of the plot when you gave me such a bombastic opening. I have no interest in picking it back up.
never4get's review against another edition
2.0
Don't know why I persisted with reading this book really. It was certainly very different. A lot of violence and expletives, but also revealing about life in the backstreets of Delhi etc.
The young Ramesh lives an horrendous life with his father on a tea cart. His father abusing him constantly and usually going hungry etc. Until a nun comes across him and insists that he is taken away and sent to school. Of course he is bullied, but it turns out that he is exceptionally gifted.
When Claire, the nun, becomes ill, Ramesh pays for her care by taking exams for other Indian boys. He is extraordinarily successful at this. After she dies, Ramesh comes across Rudi and his family and takes Rudi's exam - and scores the highest mark in the country - which makes Rudi a star with his own TV show and other opportunities. Rudi's family try to renege on paying Ramesh what they owe, but he outwits them and becomes Rudi's manager and considerable wealth accrues.
The book rolls on from there as Rudi descends into a drug scene. Rudi and Ramesh are kidnapped and Ramesh has his little finger cut off.
The story is fast-paced and has the added romantic influence of Ramesh with Priya from the TV program, but she comes from a higher caste and ultimately it would not work out.
Ramesh does go to prison for a few months for educational fraud and after that he goes to the USA and sets up a retreat, which becomes successful.
The young Ramesh lives an horrendous life with his father on a tea cart. His father abusing him constantly and usually going hungry etc. Until a nun comes across him and insists that he is taken away and sent to school. Of course he is bullied, but it turns out that he is exceptionally gifted.
When Claire, the nun, becomes ill, Ramesh pays for her care by taking exams for other Indian boys. He is extraordinarily successful at this. After she dies, Ramesh comes across Rudi and his family and takes Rudi's exam - and scores the highest mark in the country - which makes Rudi a star with his own TV show and other opportunities. Rudi's family try to renege on paying Ramesh what they owe, but he outwits them and becomes Rudi's manager and considerable wealth accrues.
The book rolls on from there as Rudi descends into a drug scene. Rudi and Ramesh are kidnapped and Ramesh has his little finger cut off.
The story is fast-paced and has the added romantic influence of Ramesh with Priya from the TV program, but she comes from a higher caste and ultimately it would not work out.
Ramesh does go to prison for a few months for educational fraud and after that he goes to the USA and sets up a retreat, which becomes successful.
zjn's review against another edition
4.0
I was unsure what to expect when I picked up How to Kidnap the Rich, and left just as confused, but thoroughly amused.
Raina's debut novel is refreshing read, his biting satire of life in New Delhi refuses to be watered down for Western audiences. The author's complex relationship with the city and Indian culture is laid plain on the page, as the story goes at a million miles an hour.
This is Raina's debut novel, and it's a great one. I'd recommend this to anyone tired of reading narratives of India through 'Eat, Pray, Love' spectacles, fans of satire and the bizarre.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
Raina's debut novel is refreshing read, his biting satire of life in New Delhi refuses to be watered down for Western audiences. The author's complex relationship with the city and Indian culture is laid plain on the page, as the story goes at a million miles an hour.
This is Raina's debut novel, and it's a great one. I'd recommend this to anyone tired of reading narratives of India through 'Eat, Pray, Love' spectacles, fans of satire and the bizarre.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
tx2its's review against another edition
4.0
Reading 2021
Book 72: How to Kidnap the Rich by Rahul Raina
Real Simple magazine had a big spread on books for summer reading and this title was included on the list. We also had this book on our voting list for IRL book club. This book caught my eye as something different. Also, Kidnap fulfills one of the prompts for the Read More 2021 challenge I am working through.
Ramesh is a kid from a lower caste in India, the son of a tea cart operator. Rudi is a kid from an upper caste with parents that can pay to have someone take his All India exams. This is where the fun and hijinks begins. Rudi and Ramesh are linked for some over the top rollercoaster ride of being kidnapped, kidnapping others, and all around ridiculousness.
This book was over the top in every way. Suspend your belief, and get on this wild ride. Not a book for everyone, I really enjoyed the ridiculous story. Fun read. 4⭐.
Book 72: How to Kidnap the Rich by Rahul Raina
Real Simple magazine had a big spread on books for summer reading and this title was included on the list. We also had this book on our voting list for IRL book club. This book caught my eye as something different. Also, Kidnap fulfills one of the prompts for the Read More 2021 challenge I am working through.
Ramesh is a kid from a lower caste in India, the son of a tea cart operator. Rudi is a kid from an upper caste with parents that can pay to have someone take his All India exams. This is where the fun and hijinks begins. Rudi and Ramesh are linked for some over the top rollercoaster ride of being kidnapped, kidnapping others, and all around ridiculousness.
This book was over the top in every way. Suspend your belief, and get on this wild ride. Not a book for everyone, I really enjoyed the ridiculous story. Fun read. 4⭐.