'The book resonates with everyone': This text explores the millennial experience of detachment perfectly
In the world of literature, a new voice is making waves with its unique blend of millennial angst and a bewitching fable. Emily Hunt Kivel's debut novel, 'Dwelling', is a poignant exploration of housing precarity and the deep human yearning for home.
'Dwelling' centrally revolves around Evie Cavallo, a 20-something mid-level graphic designer who finds herself evicted and in a fictional rural Texas town called Gulluck. The narrative takes on the contours of a fable, with Evie discovering a hidden talent for shoemaking and being welcomed into a community of fellow cobblers. This new life, marked by a robust community and a craft that involves using hands and mind, not a computer, sees Evie blossom in unexpected ways.
The book allegorizes the societal collapse surrounding eviction, gentrification, and the erasure of community under aggressive "Revitalization" programs. These policies, symbolized by the broken elevators in the cityscape, represent corporate and governmental policies that displace residents, abolish rent regulations, and commodify housing. Through Evie’s experience, the novel sheds light on the depletion of safety nets and community in a market-driven world, revealing the alienation and desperation of millions facing housing insecurity.
'Dwelling' brings contemporary urban struggles into stark relief, highlighting the emotional and existential toll of displacement amid neoliberal housing policies. It is a powerful cultural commentary on how housing crises intersect with larger systemic inequities and failures. Emily Hunt Kivel, inspired by Italian folk tales during the writing process, has crafted a novel that is as much a social commentary on identity, work, ritual, and tradecraft, as it is a poignant exploration of the human condition.
Meanwhile, at Pages, A Bookstore in Manhattan Beach, California (904 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach, 90266), the demand for beach reads is high during the summer, with breezy romances, fast-paced thrillers, and witty novels being top sellers. Some of the top-selling books at Pages include "The Ghostwriter" by Julie Clark, "Run for the Hills" by Kevin Wilson, "The Names" by Florence Knapp, "It's Only Drowning" by David Litt, and "Tilt" by Emma Pattee.
Jeff Resnik, general manager of Pages, A Bookstore, emphasizes the tactile, immersive experience of reading a physical book. Books, he says, are vessels for reflection, joy, and escape. This sentiment is echoed by Emily Hunt Kivel, who credits the UCLA Writing Extension program for being a formative experience in her life and career as a writer.
In a separate note, David M. Stewart's biography of the late film director Jonathan Demme, titled "There's No Going Back: The Life and Work of Jonathan Demme," has been criticized for its inconsistent and often abridged treatments of Demme's films and messages.
'Dwelling' is a testament to the power of storytelling in reflecting and critiquing contemporary societal issues. As we navigate through the complexities of modern life, stories like Emily Hunt Kivel's serve as a mirror, helping us understand our world a little better.
- Emily Hunt Kivel's debut novel, 'Dwelling', offers a compelling commentary on the housing crisis and societal issues, similar to the critiques found within the entertainment industry in Los Angeles, California.
- The entertainment business, much like the world of literature, can provide insights into contemporary societal struggles, offering perspectives on issues like housing precarity and capitalist policies.
- Hollywood, a key component of the California economy, often displays social commentaries through movies and television shows, touching on themes like gentrification and displacement.
- Researchers at UCLA have been studying the impact of various business practices, including real estate development, on the local Los Angeles lifestyle, just as Emily Hunt Kivel's novel examines the consequences of revitalization programs on communities.
- For home and garden enthusiasts, the concept of creating a sense of home and belonging in an increasingly isolating world mirrors the themes explored in Emily Hunt Kivel's book, 'Dwelling'.
- In the realm of music, artists frequently address the economic challenges faced by the average citizen, producing songs that resonate with listeners experiencing housing insecurity, similar to the relatable angst in Emily Hunt Kivel's novel.
- As the demand for popular entertainment ushers in new voices and stories to reflect our evolving society, novels like 'Dwelling' serve to highlight the interconnections between various aspects of our lives, from personal experiences to larger economic and political forces at work in California and beyond.
