The exhortations from this 'how-to' guide will be uncomfortably familiar to citizens of a capitalist society. To achieve the status of filthy rich, it is necessary to heed the instructions from the initial 'move to the city' (step one), through to the final aphorism 'have an exit strategy' (step twelve). Along the way it is recommended that you 'avoid idealists' (step four), and if necessary, 'be prepared to use violence' (step seven), and let's not forget the requisite 'dance with debt' (step ten).
Accompanying the nameless protagonist from his nameless Asian country on his rag-to-riches trajectory, this entertaining no holds barred parody offers the reader a thought-provoking satirical overview that plumbs both the heights and depths of wealth and poverty.
Pages
228
Year
2013
Reviews
AUCK 302
23-11-2023
Enjoyable read. Style not easy initially but improved.
AUCK 178
23-11-2023
Almost everyone read it. It was a little unusual in its 'self help' structure, and being written in the second person, but the book was very engaging with vivid images of Asia - good and bad.
WANAK 010
23-11-2023
Very small group this meeting, but most enjoyed the read.
TEHORO 001
23-11-2023
Not one of our favourites. Longwinded in places, but we were impressed with the longest last sentence.
WHANG 022
23-08-2021
We liked this book as a slice of life in a country and lifestyle we're not too familiar with...
TIMAR 004
03-10-2018
All enjoyed the book, and thought it very well-written. interesting discussion. We are keen to follow up on reading other books by the same author.
WHAKA 006
03-10-2018
Our group enjoyed this book very much. We had a very good discussion as all members enjoyed his writing style and his message. The writing style was quite different to other books we have read. There was a lot of focus on the fact that every chapter started with the self-help advice! Most didn't like that bit. We would all recommend this book.
GOVER 001
03-10-2018
We thought the 'self-help' aspect a very clever device - ironic, but most successful in illustrating how desperate survival is in such a context. A great book for discussion.
HIKUR 001
03-10-2018
Our group enjoyed the unusual/intriguing writing style, written in the second person. This book was both funny and sad, and gave wonderful insights into life in the developing world. A morality tale - what really matters in life is relationships. We also enjoyed the snippets of comments about the 'journey of reading' a book. Recommended, and a quick read.
