Before they had Too Much Money, the inhabitants of Dominick Dunne’s glitzy, gossipy New York Times bestselling novels were People L...
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reviews
Jun 06, 2008
Neva
rated it: 
I am fond of emphasizing the second word in the title. It sounds more pathetic. People LIKE Us! Or, even ask it: People Like Us? I'm sure one of these ways is just how Dominick Dunne intended the title to be said.
Maybe I should ask him.
Maybe I should ask him.
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May 21, 2011
Karen
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I recommend everything by Dominick Dunne. "People Like Us" is just so much fun. Read "The Two Mrs. Grenvilles" and "A Season in Purgatory." His true crime books are amazing and his knowledge is based on personal experience and interaction with the rich and famous and dangerous. He was a victim of crime when his daughter was murdered by her boyfriend. Years of writing a column for "Vanity Fair" magazine enchanced his art, giving him a true insider's vi
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Feb 04, 2011
Emily
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I hesitate to describe this as a beach read.. it's got some substance. This was a book club pick; I wouldn't have selected it on my own, but have to admit I enjoyed it. The characters are totally unrelatable (seeing as how I'm not a millionaire/billionaire), yet I found myself rooting for certain people and applauding certain successes and failures. Dominic Dunne knows how to tell a story, and his detailed descriptions help paint a clear picture. I quickly wanted to read to the end to see ho
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Jul 31, 2011
Brad
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This is pure entertainment. New money tries to break into New York society. Lots of very funny stereotypical characters interacting in entertaining ways. It revolves around the meteoric rise of a self-made billionaire and his maneuvering to become accepted by the very tight knit New York society to his rapid unraveling as his insider trading is revealed. This is the perfect summer read.
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Dec 31, 2011
Buck
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This was a great book. Sort of a little sister/companion piece to Bonfire of the Vanities about high society in New York in the greedy 80's. It is expertly stitched together with DD's signature name dropping and social climbing. No one can write a society woman like this man. Lil Althemus (who is based on CZ Guest) is most memorable. You love her and hate her at the same time.
Jun 11, 2011
Domminick Dunne lost friends over this one. Apparently, many of the characters in the book exist in his social set - they all recognized themselves. In my opinion, Dunne is a genious at capturing the really, really rich in New York society.
Read absolutely anything by Domminick Dunne. I think he had a slight fixation on Truman Capote.
Read absolutely anything by Domminick Dunne. I think he had a slight fixation on Truman Capote.
Mar 09, 2010
Not a book that drew me through it quickly; in fact, I read it over some months a bit at a time. But I thoroughly enjoyed seeing into the lives of the rich and nouveau riche who Dunne exposes in this novel. And an interesting breath of fresh air to go back and read a book that didn't include a single mention of a cell phone.
Sep 21, 2009
Tajma
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Before Bergdorf Blondes and Devil Wears Prada, there was this and it wasn't silly. Dunne manages this subject matter better than ANYONE! One can actually read it on the subway without embarrassment because of who the author is.I would read this again if I find it on amazon for a few cents. RIP, Dominick...
Nov 28, 2009
Judy
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What I learned from this book is that the rich are just like us, only with more money and pretentions.
But, it was a good, trashy, way to pass a few days, and I got a kick out of the many ways the very, very rich of the late 1980s seemed to be presaging Bernie Madoff and his ilk of recent repute.
But, it was a good, trashy, way to pass a few days, and I got a kick out of the many ways the very, very rich of the late 1980s seemed to be presaging Bernie Madoff and his ilk of recent repute.
Apr 22, 2010
Sara
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I thought I would love reading about NYC high society... but had a hard time keeping all the characters straight and in the end just didn't care about their 'problems' (talk about dear conga...) it was entertaining but just OK.
Jun 04, 2009
Lynda
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Old money vs. new money. A story that was old before Mrs. Astor's 400, the accepted society at Almacks, and the castes of India. It is a struggle that is always gossipy and intriguing and Dunne does not disappoint.
Dec 01, 2009
Melissa
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What can I say? I love Dominick. I was inspired to read this older novel when i heard of his recent passsing. He's gossipy and sexually explicit. it's just like me1
Apr 06, 2010
Marty
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Great as always. Good story, and while written/published in 88 it is up to date and has universality.
I plan to read his others. Oh, my he is missed.
I plan to read his others. Oh, my he is missed.
Jul 13, 2010
monica
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Intrigued by an NPR interview of Griffin Dunne, I checked out "People Like Us." It reads somewhat like a 1980's gossip rag but I suppose that's sort of the point. Along with a story that reads strangely like Dominick Dunne's own life, he captures the New York wealthy elite perfectly--equally intriguing and repulsive.
Jun 13, 2010
Beth
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A fun summer read. I always enjoy reading Dominick Dunne and learning more about the very, very rich and their small world.
Jul 12, 2011
Cathy
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Interesting social commentary on the patrician upper east side and its infiltration by newly wealthy.
Oct 18, 2009
DJ
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Anyone who has read Dominick Dunne's Diary in Vanity Fair will enjoy this book. Just think, of the phrase 'People Like Us' and what it means in the world of Mr. Dunne.
Oct 15, 2010
Eva
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As always, Dominick Dunne delivered. While reading this book I realized I already read it many years ago and enjoyed it just as much the second time around.
Mar 15, 2011
Lee
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It's been a while since I read a Dominick Dunne novel but his stories about the monied people I find interesting. The "old" vs "new" money, the extravagance, fear of social snubbing, lack of empathy for others, intrigue, and alliances is so far removed from the lives of us regular people that it's great fun.
Apr 15, 2009
Colleen
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At first I didn't care for this book, but the character development is quite good and you become interested in the fate of all these people. I don't know if I would recommend it unless you were really interested in high society. It seems kind of dated in the "old money" mentality.
Nov 08, 2008
Money does not make everyone happy as this book illustrates. "Old" money in New York vs. "new" money makes for an interesting plot. This was written in the 80's so maybe things have changed since then; however, it is hard to imagine the life of the rich during that time.
Jan 22, 2010
Muriel
rated it:
I was a bit disappointed in this but I fear Dominick Dunne was a far better writer in a short format (like his many terrific articles in Vanity Fair) than a lengthy novel. Good story but it did go on and on.
