Sapna Sinha, an ordinary salesgirl in an electronics store in downtown Delhi, is approached by Vinay Mohan Acharya, a billionaire industrialist and one of India's richest men. He offers to make her CEO of his company. There is only one catch-she must pass seven tests from the "textbook of life." Thus begins the most challenging journey Sapna has ever undertaken-one that will test her character, her courage, and her capabilities. Along the way she encounters a host of memorable personalities, from a vain Bollywood superstar to a kleptomaniac Gandhian. At stake is a business empire worth ten billion dollars and the future she has always dreamed of for herself and her family. But are the seven tests real, or is Acharya playing a game driven by a perverse fantasy? Vikas Swarup, acclaimed author of Slumdog Millionaire and Six Suspects, has written a compelling, suspenseful tale about the lure of money and the power of dreams. The Accidental Apprentice is international crime fiction at its most entertaining. "Gets off to an exciting start and ends with a spectacular twist." "Swarup's voice has a magical quality-an essential kindness, a likeability…Like the Bollywood dance at the end of Slumdog Millionaire, it is oddly uplifting and joyful. The film rights are no doubt already sold."
"Swarup puts a distinctively Indian spin on this thoroughly enjoyable crime novel." "Sneha Mathan's English-Indian-sounding narration suits this story…Mathan gives convincing voice to males and females of all ages." "Slumdog Millionaire author Swarup is a skilled storyteller who doesn't hesitate to take on some of the most troublesome issues of his native land-corruption, caste, color, tradition-as he also captures and celebrates its sights and sounds in this fast-moving mystery." "Swarup intrigues and mystifies with a tale from the great colossus that's modern-day India…Thought-provoking."
