How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia was generally well-received, including a starred review from Kirkus Reviews, who called it "[a]nother great success ... and another illustration of how richly the colonial margins are feeding the core of literature in English."[5] The Telegraph called the novel Hamid's "most impressive yet."[6] Nick DiMartino, writing for Shelf Awareness, applauded how Hamid "combines extremely lean prose and a wry sense of irony to create a dramatic monologue with a wickedly satirical vision of modern times."[7]
Publishers Weekly noted that "though readers may find it frustrating that [story arcs for the protagonist and love interest] never overlap for long, the intermittent intersections provide them an anchor to the lives they left in desperation." They continued, stating, "The book takes its formal cues from the self-help genre, but the adopting of that form’s unceasing optimism also nullifies any sense of depth or struggle. Fortunately, Hamid offers a subtle and rich look at the social realities of developing countries, including corruption, poverty, and how economic development affects daily life from top to bottom."[8] In their review of the audiobook, Publishers Weekly noted that while the novel's use of the second-person perspective can yield a "curious listening experience ... it works exceedingly well here because ... listeners wait with great anticipation to learn what will happen to 'you.'"[9]
