What is the setting in the novel, A Hologram for the King?

A Hologram for the King is set in the Middle Eastern nation of Saudi Arabia. In times of trouble, people often look to the rich, the powerful, and the influential to help ease their burdens. Alan Clay's character is no different. One good sale, and his finances will be secured. And who better to sell to than an oil-rich Arabian king? The setting of Saudi Arabia provides for the selection of the very powerful and very rich King Abdullah to be the focus of the sales pitch that Alan and his team make. The setting also allows the reader to experience the global recession outside the Western world, in Saudi Arabia.