Reviews

Como Ficar Podre de Rico na Ásia Emergente by Mohsin Hamid

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youngthespian42's review against another edition

4.0

This book is a joy to read. The format of the book is written in the second person and written in the style of a how-to e-book but tells this tremendous story of the lifetime of an aspiring entrepreneur in Asia. Despite spanning many decades of the character's life, the story is slim and approachable in length. Do not let this slim volume or creative construct fool you this content in this book is rich and dense. Great book club read!

bluebird_ccfc's review against another edition

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reflective relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

bookward's review against another edition

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funny reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

bywell's review against another edition

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5.0

Hands down, the best book I read this year.

Written in the second person, Hamid wastes no words telling the full story of a man’s life in two hundred and forty delicious pages. We do not learn the protagonists name (you) or that of his girlfriend (the pretty girl) or where in Asia they live, but we do learn a path to success and how one man has lived his life.

The twelve chapters provide the framework - Move to the City; Get an Education; Don’t Fall in Love; Avoid Idealists; Learn from a Master; Work for Yourself; Be Prepared to Use Violence; Befriend a Bureaucrat; Patronize the Artists of War; Dance with Debt; Focus on the Fundamentals; and Have an Exit Strategy.

While some may find the voice and the structure difficult, I found it to be comfortable and comforting. Being one step removed allowed me to worry less about our hero’s struggles and enjoy his life’s story all the more.

nicoleplec's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced

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

2.0

janiswong's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

A fantastic re-read, I loved the second person writing and narration as it brought the book to life in its form and allowed me to reminisce. Stunning prose by Hamid.