Why You Need To Know Bangladeshi-American Writer Rumaan Alam
Bangladeshi-American novelist and critic, Rumaan Alam is one creative you need to add to your to-do list of fabulous humans to follow. Why?
I mean, why not? The Brooklyn-based novelist has been showered with some well-earned praise this year for his latest release, “Leave the World Behind.” He was featured on former President Barack Obama’s esteemed 2021 summer reading list. Alam’s 2020 release has been described as “eerie” and carefully crafted literary suspense that will keep you on edge with its wit, comedy, and insightful messages on race, parenthood, and more. In case the president letting you know this novel is a must-read isn’t enough, “Leave the World Behind” was named a Best Book of the year by The Washington Post, Time, NPR, Elle, Esquire, Kirkus, Library Journal, The Chicago Public Library, The New York Public Library, BookPage, The Globe and Mail, The LA Times, USA Today, InStyle, The New Yorker, AARP, Publisher’s Lunch, LitHub * Book Marks * Electric Literature, Brooklyn Based, and The Boston Globe.
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Last summer, Netflix even announced that they have obtained the rights to a film adaptation of Alam’s highly acclaimed novel. Rumor has it that the film will be written and directed by Sam Esmail, and will feature an ensemble cast that includes Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington in the lead.
This isn’t the first time Alam has been recognized for his work, his debut novel, “Rich and Pretty” made quite the splash in the literary world when it was released in 2016. His second novel, “That Kind of Mother” is no less. Surprisingly all three of his novels are written from the perspective of women. In an interview with Time magazine in 2016 he explained that growing up he had spent most of his time with women and after graduation, his work in fashion also led him to work in a field dominated by women, thus he has a strong understanding of the female perspective.
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Alam was born to Bangladeshi parents who immigrated to the US in the 70s. His father was an architect and his mother a doctor in the suburbs of Washington, DC. Today he’s a happily married dad of two handsome young boys living in the diverse streets of Brooklyn, NY. Aside from writing, Alam also hosts two podcasts for Slate. Alam, along with his husband, photographer David A. Land, have created a stunning space for themselves in their cozy Brooklyn brownstone. Their home is so beautifully designed and decorated that it has been featured in numerous design magazines, including every popular HGTV website and blogs like Design Sponge.
Bengali’s are known to be creatives, and Alam definitely represents the best of us. Check out his novel on Amazon!
