‘Ramesh is a wonderfully vivid character and this is an explosively funny, surprisingly moving debut”Mail on SundayIf you’re fat and Indian, you’re rich; if you’re fat and poor, you’re lying. It’s only the West where the rich are thin and vegan and moral…Ramesh Kumar grew up deprived and unloved, working on his father’s tea stall in the Old City of Delhi. Now, brilliant but poor, he makes a lucrative living taking tests for the sons of India’s elite. When one of his clients, the sweet but hapless eighteen-year-old Rudi Saxena, places first in the All Indias, the national university entrance exams, Ramesh sees an unmissable opportunity.Cashing in on Rudi’s newfound celebrity, all goes well for both boys for a while. But Rudi’s role on a game show leads to unexpected love, blackmail and, finally, a dangerous kidnapping.As Ramesh leads Rudi through a maze of crimes both large and small, their dizzying journey reveals an India in all its complexity, beauty, and squalor, moving from the bottom rungs to the circles inhabited by the ultra-rich and everywhere in between.Praise for How to Kidnap the Rich’A satire on modern India…this isn’t a story about poverty, it’s a story about wealth’ Guardian’Conjures up a memorable world that is ghee-greased, polluted, mired in dust and corruption’ Sunday Times’Like Mohsin Hamid’s How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia, How to Kidnap the Rich purports to be a how-to manual but is in fact a rollicking urban adventure and a biting satire of inequality’ Economist
Embark on a dizzying journey through the heart of modern India with Rahul Raina's explosively funny and surprisingly moving debut novel, "How to Kidnap the Rich." This gripping thriller, laced with dark humor and sharp satire, follows the unlikely duo of Ramesh Kumar, a brilliant but impoverished exam-taker, and Rudi Saxena, his sweet but hapless client, as they navigate a treacherous world of wealth, corruption, and unexpected consequences. Ramesh, hardened by a difficult upbringing in Delhi's Old City, has carved out a niche taking entrance exams for the sons of India's elite. When Rudi, under Ramesh's guidance, astonishingly aces the All Indias, the national university entrance exams, a golden opportunity arises. They seize the moment, leveraging Rudi's newfound celebrity to their advantage. However, their carefully constructed facade begins to crumble when Rudi's appearance on a game show sparks a series of unforeseen events a blossoming romance, a sinister blackmail plot, and ultimately, a daring kidnapping. As Ramesh leads Rudi deeper into a web of increasingly dangerous crimes, their journey becomes a revealing exploration of India's stark contrasts, from the squalor of poverty to the opulent lifestyles of the ultra-rich, and everything in between. "How to Kidnap the Rich" is more than just a thrilling caper; it's a biting commentary on inequality, ambition, and the complexities of modern India. Raina masterfully crafts vivid characters and a richly detailed setting, immersing readers in a world that is both captivating and unsettling. Prepare to be enthralled by the fast-paced plot, the sharp wit, and the thought-provoking themes that resonate long after the final page. This contemporary literary thriller draws comparisons to Mohsin Hamid's "How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia," offering a rollicking urban adventure with a satirical edge. Critics have lauded Raina's ability to conjure a memorable world, "ghee-greased, polluted, mired in dust and corruption," as described by the Sunday Times. If you enjoy fast-paced thrillers with a social conscience, exploring themes of wealth, poverty, and the human condition in a vibrant and complex setting, "How to Kidnap the Rich" is a must-read. It's a darkly comic and insightful exploration of modern India that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Perfect for fans of literary fiction, suspense novels, and anyone interested in a fresh and engaging perspective on contemporary India. Get your copy today and prepare for an unforgettable literary ride!