Sydney Writers' Festival

Rumaan Alam's American Dream


Listen Later

Rumaan Alam’s Entitlement probes complex racial and social dynamics much like his New York Times bestselling Leave the World Behind, which was adapted into a Netflix film starring Julia Roberts and Mahershala Ali.

In his new novel, Rumaan introduces themes of wealth and philanthropic aspirations when an ageing white billionaire hires an ambitious young African American woman to help him dispose of his money – through worthy causes, of course.

Join Rumaan in conversation with Sisonke Msimang as they examine the promise (or the lie) of the American Dream in the 21st century. 

This episode was recorded live in May at the 2025 Sydney Writers’ Festival.

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and follow our channel. 

Sydney Writers’ Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms. 

After more? Follow Sydney Writers’ Festival on social media:

Instagram: @sydwritersfest
Facebook: @SydWritersFest
TikTok: @sydwritersfest

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Sydney Writers' FestivalBy Sydney Writers' Festival

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

7 ratings


More shows like Sydney Writers' Festival

View all
Late Night Live — Full program podcast by ABC listen

Late Night Live — Full program podcast

96 Listeners

Conversations by ABC listen

Conversations

888 Listeners

Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today by ABC listen

Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today

67 Listeners

Big Ideas by ABC listen

Big Ideas

106 Listeners

Late Night Live - Separate stories podcast by ABC listen

Late Night Live - Separate stories podcast

53 Listeners

The Bookshelf by ABC listen

The Bookshelf

38 Listeners

Chat 10 Looks 3 by Chat 10 Looks 3

Chat 10 Looks 3

240 Listeners

The Book Show by ABC listen

The Book Show

18 Listeners

Stop Everything! by ABC listen

Stop Everything!

8 Listeners

7am by Solstice Media

7am

122 Listeners

A Podcast of One's Own with Julia Gillard by A Podcast of One's Own with Julia Gillard

A Podcast of One's Own with Julia Gillard

105 Listeners

Good Weekend Talks by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald

Good Weekend Talks

22 Listeners

What's That Rash? by ABC listen

What's That Rash?

238 Listeners

Not Stupid by ABC Listen

Not Stupid

70 Listeners

Global Roaming with Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald by ABC listen

Global Roaming with Geraldine Doogue and Hamish Macdonald

44 Listeners