The Cave Dwellers

By: Christina McDowell

Narrated by: Madeleine Maby

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 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).

Critic reviews

"Madeleine Maby narrates this layered satirical novel with a strong sense of story and a fine ability to get inside her characters' psyches. Her emulations of Washington, DC's, powerful and power hungry are nuanced. Her performance reveals the vapid sound of the social climber and the angst of the teenager."

Overwhelmingly Liberal

Coming from a kind place - you’ll love this story if you’re on the liberal side of the political spectrum. As a center-righter I find the “the Republicans are the evil ones” trope tired. IMO, the author didn’t even need to call out political classifications to make this book thrilling. The partisan divide added nothing to the narrative. I thoroughly enjoyed the portions of this book that weren’t so politically charged, but I’d probably skip it had I known.

Conflict, Darkness in City on the Hill

This novel was very realistic. I struggled with the vulgar language . Author did lots of Research on unknown places and events about Washington DC that she creatively wove into the story .

DC Classic Novel

The Cave Dwellers is an entertaining and eye-opening novel. As a native Washingtonian, I felt as if I was on a tour of my home city. Reading the book gave me feelings of frustration over the disparities in our community, and while the characters are fictional, they conjured up memories of actual people I have worked for over my lifetime.

Not a fan

Had high hopes for this book. I found it hard to follow the many different characters of varying ages and families. Too many storylines

Horrible

This story had typical political bias that is in the media everyday . It was a waste of my time to read such a ridiculous story .
I could not finish it.