The survivalists by kashana cauley5/7/2023 ![]() ![]() “Aretha stood in front of her dresser, waiting for something in her wardrobe to declare itself up to the existential challenge of her third first date in a week.” Like the novel itself, its smart, satiric opening line is right on point for the era into which the novel and its characters have been born. ![]() Despite her adherence to the American bootstrapping story, when we meet the 30-something Black attorney, Aretha’s chances of success-professional, financial, romantic, familial-seem to be slipping from her grasp. ![]() Cauley transports us to the overpriced real estate and marginal residents of hipster Brooklyn, as seen through the wide eyes and increasingly jaded heart of protagonist Aretha. These oh-so-serious questions are tackled with scathing, lol-inducing wit in The Survivalists, Kashana Cauley’s smart, sharp debut novel. In today’s America, what constitutes success? What are the obstacles to achieving it? How do race, class, age, and location affect the odds? ![]()
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