Rumaan Alam

Rumaan Alam is a highly acclaimed American author, best known for his novels Leave the World Behind, That Kind of Mother, and Rich and Pretty. His writing has been praised for its perceptive and nuanced portrayal of contemporary life, relationships, and identity.

Born and raised in the United States, Alam studied writing at Oberlin College. After completing his education, he began his writing career, producing short fiction that was published in several prestigious literary journals such as StoryQuarterly, Crazyhorse, and Meridian. His work has also been featured in esteemed publications like The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, and The New Republic, where he currently holds the position of contributing editor.

Alam's writing style is characterized by its keen observation of the human condition and its exploration of complex themes such as race, class, and parenthood. His novels have received critical acclaim, with Leave the World Behind being shortlisted for the National Book Award in 2020. Rich and Pretty, his debut novel, was also well-received, earning praise for its witty and incisive portrayal of female friendship.

Currently residing in New York with his husband and two children, Alam continues to write and publish fiction, contributing to the literary world's ongoing conversation about identity, family, and the human experience. His work has been translated into several languages, and he is widely regarded as one of the most exciting and talented writers of his generation.
Standalone Novels
# Title Year
1 Rich and Pretty 2016
2 That Kind of Mother 2018
3 Leave the World Behind 2020
Getaway Books
# Title Year
1 Uncharted Waters 2022
2 His Happy Place 2022
3 Belle Mer 2022
4 Stockholm 2022
5 Catch Her in a Lie 2022
6 Shell Game 2022
Rumaan Alam Anthologies
# Title Year
1 Ploughshares Summer 2021 2021