This “delicious take on the one percent in our nation’s capital” (Town & Country) and clever combination of The Bonfire of the Vanities and The Nest explores what Washington, DC’s high society members do behind the closed doors of their stately homes. They are the families considered worthy of a listing in the exclusive Green Book–a discriminative diary created by the niece of Edith … discriminative diary created by the niece of Edith Roosevelt’s social secretary. Their aristocratic bloodlines are woven into the very fabric of Washington–generation after generation. Their old money and manner lurk through the cobblestone streets of Georgetown, Kalorama, and Capitol Hill. They only socialize within their inner circle, turning a blind eye to those who come and go on the political merry-go-round. These parents and their children live in gilded existences of power and privilege.
But what they have failed to understand is that the world is changing. And when the family of one of their own is held hostage and brutally murdered, everything about their legacy is called into question in this unputdownable novel that “combines social satire with moral outrage to offer a masterfully crafted, absorbing read that can simply entertain on one level and provoke reasoned discourse on another” (Booklist, starred review).
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A novel of the children of the power-elite in Washington, DC, McDowell’s novel with keep you riveted, even as it makes you rethink everything you thought you knew. A must read.
3.5/5
Welcome to the world of high society in Washington, DC! The Cave Dwellers by Christina McDowell is a deep dive into what both kids and parents are like when you mix power and money, and it was very interesting indeed. No one is particularly likeable, shocker, and there is quite a large cast of these people, as well as many different viewpoints. The beginning starts off with a home invasion and to me it made it seem like there was going to be a mystery element, but instead, this is definitely straight-up literary fiction and more about greed and white privilege than the actual murders. I really appreciated the author’s note at the start and it also helps set the stage, so you know going into it what the story is actually about. The most likeable character was probably Bunny, and she did kind of go sleuthing into what happened to the family by going to visit the boy the police arrest for it. This got us into a whole new ball of wax, and I really liked that the author got her book idea from both her life growing up, and the book White Fragility.
The character viewpoints also switch between adults and teenagers, and I loved that we got both aspects instead of just one or the other. There are so many people behaving badly, and this is a book stuffed full of social topics and things that will make you cringe. I could feel McDowell’s animosity for this world through the pages, and it made me really want to read her memoir to get an idea of how she grew up. You can tell she knew what she was talking about and it felt like a very well-researched novel.
I also really enjoyed the audiobook which is narrated by Madeleine Maby. It would have been nice to have a full cast because of all the viewpoints, but I have to say that Maby handled it all like a champ. At times I would get confused about who was who, but I think if you kept a notebook with the names of everyone it would be much easier. I am really glad I had a physical copy on hand and would highly recommend having one too even if you do the audio. The biggest thing I didn’t love was that I thought the end was incredibly abrupt and made The Cave Dwellers feel unfinished. I had that moment of “wait, it’s over?” The pacing is also quite slow and at times the story was a bit confusing, but overall, I was still a fan of this book and will definitely be reading or listening to McDowell’s memoir now. It is not going to be for everyone, but if you love literary fiction and timely novels, I would give it a try!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I wanted to love this book, it had so much promise. But, the story was slow, writing wasn’t the greatest, and it ended just as the story was getting good. Overall, it was disappointing.
Washington, DC; old money, hidden secrets, racism, privilege, backstabbing, sex and drugs, not to mention cover-ups. The author brought her first-hand knowledge of the area to this book, almost to the point where I don’t have to read her memoir! What starts with a brutal murder of an elite Washington family, seems to get lost in the other dynamics of the old money families. The children, while aware of their privilege and the blatant racism, really do nothing about it and know that Daddy will get them out of any trouble they find themselves in. I would have loved to see one of the children stand up to the injustices they were seeing. Not much character development, but I guess if you are threatened with losing your bankroll at a young age, it might be overwhelming. Sad state of affairs. Political statement made (reiterated), but no solutions offered.
Thanks to Ms. McDowell, Galley/Scout Press and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.
In DC there are a small number of families who live an ultra-exclusive existence. They’re from aristocratic, wealthy, and exclusive bloodlines and they only socialize within their own circle. But the world is changing as they’re forced to learn, when a family in their circle is held hostage and brutally murdered while the rest sleep. The Cave Dwellers by Christina McDowell explores this exclusive society through the viewpoint of several generations. The adults have grown up with this wealth and privilege. For most, it’s been handed down through generations, though a few have been lucky enough to find their way in. Their children—though also handed the privilege of being on the inside—enjoy the financial freedom of their family status, but yearn for something more, only to find they are bound by the constraints of their families.
The Cave Dwellers explores how privilege can both benefit a person’s life and also impact their ability to fully comprehend the lives of others. Sadly, I didn’t finish the book feeling like there were any magnificent revelations. The novel really reads like a sterile exploration of just how wealthy some people can be, describing clothing brands, cars, design aesthetics, etc. The one thing I really didn’t come away with at any point was an emotional attachment to any of the characters, even the murder was presented in an anesthetized manner.
The Cave Dwellers is an interesting tour of the 1% lifestyle, but I was hoping for a more substantial story arc that would restore my optimism for humanity.
*I received an audio ARC of The Cave Dwellers from Netgalley and Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review*
3.5 stars
The Cave Dwellers is an interesting book that made me want to read to the end but I to had a hard time with so many characters.
Having said that The Cave Dwellers drew me in to keep reading as I found it fascinating if not illuminating about the powerful and wealthy families in Washington D.C.
It’s hard to fathom their power and disdain that they have . That is why I loved Bunny who questioned everything from her family to racism and how can she break that cycle.
I would definitely recommend this book , its worth the read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada, Gallery/Scout Press for an intriguing read.
The Cave Dwellers is a hard-hitting look at the seedy underbelly of Washington’s beautiful people. Told through the stories of a handful of graduating students of an exclusive private school and their families it takes a frank and honest look at white supremacy, racism, drugs, sex, entitlement and the lengths to which people will go to maintain their lives as green book families.
McDowell, a former Washington insider tells a tale that will at once tug at your heartstrings and chill your blood. Her characters are spoiled, petulant, vindictive and ruthless but so many of them, especially the teenage friends, are painfully naive and vulnerable and, without exception, they are deeply emotionally scared by the world they live in.
Although the president is mentioned only in passing and never by name, the “former guy”s Washington lurks as a powerful influence in the background of the events that drive the book. BLM, Me Too, political spin and the power of the press all play their role in the plot.
The Cave Dwellers is a book that will make you think while it entertains, and really, what more can you ask of a novel?