"Last Man in Tower". By Aravind Adiga. *****

• Audiobook
• Indian author,
• Originally published in 2011
• "Man is like a goat tied to a tree.....some freedom, but not too much."
• "Our eyes met like foreign languages."
• "Have you no idea how many people are alone?"
• The more time spent in luxury, the more likely violence will seem commonplace
• Wealthy, powerful businessman tries to buy out an old apartment building to tear it down and build a glamorous new one
• Loneliness, human frailty and vulnerability
• end of life reflections
• benefits of standing for one's convictions despite pressure to do otherwise
• the nature of courage
• selfishness, 
• the power of money
• Review:  While reading this book I harrumphed, cringed, guffawed, held my breath, and sighed in relief.  This is a tale of poverty vs. power, of both the courage and frailty of the human spirit, and about aging alone.  As graphic and powerful as the imagery of Mumbai life is in this novel, I think the values which are tested in these characters are universal, and the effort to survive and maintain integrity is also universal.  Excellent read!