The Immortal King Rao

Vauhini Vara's debut novel is a brilliant and thought-provoking exploration of capitalism, patriarchy, Dalit India, and digital America, following the journey of a young man from a remote village in Andhra Pradesh to becoming the most famous tech CEO in the world. The novel explores themes of power, family, and love, and asks how we build the worlds in which we live and whether we have the power to leave them.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 02 June 2022
Publisher: Grove Press / Atlantic Monthly Press

A captivating and beautifully written book that delves into the intricate interplay of capitalism, patriarchy, Dalit India, and digital America, as well as the themes of power, family, and love. Authored by Alex Preston, a renowned Observer journalist, this novel is set to make a significant impact in the literary world in 2022.

The debut novel by Vauhini Vara takes readers on a captivating journey that begins in India in the 1950s. The story revolves around a young man named King Rao, born into a Dalit family of coconut farmers in a remote village in Andhra Pradesh. Despite the challenges and hardships he faces, King Rao's determination and intelligence lead him to pursue his dreams and eventually migrate to the United States. In Seattle, he meets the love of his life, Margie, and together they embark on a successful business venture, eventually rising to become the most famous tech CEO in the world. However, King Rao's journey is not without its complexities. As he ascends the corporate ladder, he becomes increasingly aware of the power and influence wielded by corporations and the global government they control. This realization leads him to question the morality of his actions and the impact they have on society. Ultimately, King Rao finds himself living on a remote island off the coast of Washington state, an exile from the world he has helped to create. There, he raises his brilliant daughter, Athena, in a sheltered environment, away from the prying eyes of the world. However, as Athena grows older, she begins to question her father's past and the decisions he has made. She is unlike other girls her age, and she realizes that the outside world is much more hostile and challenging than her father experienced when he left his coconut grove. The Immortal King Rao is a profound and moving novel that explores the intersection of technology, consciousness, and revolution. It asks thought-provoking questions about the nature of power, the consequences of our actions, and the potential for change. Vara's lyrical writing style and vivid portrayal of characters make this book a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary literature.

Weight: 732g
Dimension: 318 x 302 x 40 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781611856491
Edition number: Main