‘Dwelling’ fictionalizes the American housing crisis with elements of fairy tale
On NPR's Book of the Day, author Emily Hunt Kivel discusses her novel "Dwelling," which uses fairy tale elements to explore modern housing insecurity. The story follows Evie Carvalho, who relocates from New York City to Texas after being evicted from her apartment due to its conversion into an Airbnb property. Her new home is an unusual boot-shaped building that holds mysterious secrets.
The book creates a metaphor for life under late-stage capitalism through its blend of magical realism and social commentary. Drawing inspiration from the nursery rhyme about the old woman who lived in a shoe, Kivel examines themes of community and belonging while highlighting how expensive, exploitative environments can impact human connection. The story suggests that despite modern challenges, finding meaningful community remains possible.
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1-Page Summary
The Plot and Premise of the Novel "Dwelling"
"Dwelling" follows protagonist Evie Carvalho's journey of finding home and belonging. After being evicted from her New York City apartment due to the mayor's decision to convert rental properties into Airbnbs, Evie relocates to Gullick, Texas. There, she moves into a unique boot-shaped rental home, previously a dance hall and shoe-making studio, found through a distant realtor cousin.
Kivel's Inspirations and Use of Fairy Tale/Magical Realism
Emily Hunt Kivel weaves fairy tale and magical realism elements throughout the novel, drawing from classic folk tales. The story features unexplained elements like mysterious keys, magical shoes, and secret societies. Kivel was particularly inspired by the nursery rhyme about the old woman who lived in a shoe, using this motif to explore Evie's journey while maintaining an air of mystery and wonder.
The Novel's Exploration of Capitalism, Community, and Belonging
Through Evie's story, Kivel creates a metaphor for the anxieties and challenges of late-stage capitalism. The protagonist's eviction from New York City represents broader concerns about housing insecurity and individual devaluation in today's economy. In contrast, Kivel presents the town of Gullick and its sense of community as an antidote to the isolation of modern capitalism. The author suggests that while expensive and exploitative environments can inhibit community formation, finding places that nurture interconnectedness remains possible and vital for combating societal alienation.
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Actionables
- You can explore your local history to find unique places with storied pasts, much like Evie's boot-shaped rental home. Visit your town's historical society or library to learn about quirky landmarks or buildings, then plan a walking tour to see them in person. This can deepen your connection to your community and give you a sense of belonging.
- Start a themed book club that focuses on novels with elements of magical realism and fairy tales, similar to Emily Hunt Kivel's incorporation of these themes. This encourages discussion about the deeper meanings behind the stories, such as capitalism and community, and can foster a sense of interconnectedness among members.
- Create a personal journal where you document instances of community and isolation in your daily life, inspired by the contrast between Gullick and NYC in Evie's story. Reflect on these observations weekly to identify ways you can contribute to nurturing interconnectedness in your own community.
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The Plot and Premise of the Novel "Dwelling"
"Dwelling" is a novel that explores the theme of home and belonging, seen through the journey of its protagonist, Evie Carvalho.
Evicted Evie Seeks Shelter in Gullick, Texas
Evie Homeless in NYC After Mayor Converts Rentals To Airbnbs, Causing Evictions
The plot kicks off in New York City, where a significant policy change upends the lives of renters. The mayor converts the city's available rental properties into Airbnbs, leading to widespread evictions. Among the evicted is Evie Carvalho, who finds herself suddenly homeless. Her crisis culminates with her possessions stacked on the sidewalk, echoing the plight of many in the city.
Evie Finds a Realtor Cousin in Gullick and Moves to a Boot-Shaped Rental Home
Seeking a fresh start and shelter, Evie learns of a distant cousin who works as a realtor in the q ...
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The Plot and Premise of the Novel "Dwelling"
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Actionables
- Explore your city's history by visiting homes with unique architectural designs to appreciate the diverse stories behind them, much like the boot-shaped home in Gullick. By doing this, you can gain a deeper understanding of your community's heritage and the evolution of its landscape. For example, take a walking tour of historic neighborhoods or visit local museums that feature architectural exhibits.
- Create a personal inventory of belongings to understand what truly matters to you, inspired by Evie's loss of possessions. Start by listing items you use daily, then expand to things with sentimental value. This exercise can help you declutter, simplify your life, and prepare for any unexpected life changes.
- Write a short story or journal entry ...
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Kivel's Inspirations and Use of Fairy Tale/Magical Realism
Emily Hunt Kivel crafts a world rich in fairy tale and magical realism elements, with inspirations drawn from the whimsy and cryptic aspects of these genres.
Inspired by Classic Fairy and Folk Tales, With Whimsical, Magical Elements
Kivel's storytelling is fueled by her fascination with the unresolved and the enigmatic. She deliberately crafts a narrative where mysteries linger and characters navigate a reality where not everything is meant to be unraveled.
The Book's Unexplained Keys, Magical Shoes, and Secret Societies Evoke Wonder and Mystery
In her narrative, Kivel introduces a series of fantastical components such as secret societies, mysterious keys, and magic shoes. These elements add depth and enchantment to the story, fostering a sense of wonder and mystery. Kivel seeks to immerbrate readers in a world where such extraordinary facets exist without necessitating extensive explanations or justifications.
Kivel Was Intrigued by an Adult Living In a Shoe and Used This to Explore Evie's Journey
Buil ...
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Kivel's Inspirations and Use of Fairy Tale/Magical Realism
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Clarifications
- Enigmatic aspects of genres, such as fairy tales and magical realism, refer to mysterious, puzzling elements that are intentionally left ambiguous or unresolved in the storytelling. These aspects create a sense of wonder and intrigue for the audience, allowing for multiple interpretations and engaging the imagination. By incorporating enigmatic elements, authors like Emily Hunt Kivel add depth and complexity to their narratives, inviting readers to explore themes beyond the surface level. The deliberate inclusion of these enigmatic elements enhances the overall atmosphere of mystery and fascination within the story.
- Immersing readers in a world without extensive explanations means presenting a narrative where fantastical elements exist without detailed background information or justifications, allowing readers to accept these elements as part of the story's reality without needing every detail explained. This approach aims to create a sense of wonder and mystery, encouraging readers to engage with the story's magical aspects w ...
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The Novel's Exploration of Capitalism, Community, and Belonging
In addressing the prevailing concerns of today's society, the novel intricately weaves the tale of Evie, utilizing her experiences as metaphors for the complexities and distresses of late-stage capitalism.
Kivel Uses Evie's Story as a Metaphor for Late-Stage Capitalism's Anxieties and Challenges, Highlighting Individual Devaluation and Alienation From Communities
The novel is presented as a fairy tale set against the backdrop of late-stage capitalism, illuminating the insecurities and societal challenges of the era. The story of Evie, who is evicted from her home in New York City to accommodate the booming Airbnb market, serves as an exaggerated representation of real-world anxieties regarding housing insecurity. This situation illustrates the efficiency and profitability prioritized in the present economy, often at the expense of individual well-being.
Evie's New York City Eviction Reflects Anxiety Over Housing Insecurity in Today's Economy
Evie's eviction depicts an all-too-real anxiety surrounding housing security, as the conversion of rental properties into short-term tourist accommodations reflects a broader economic trend. Her sense of worthlessness and her struggle to maintain authority over her living situation echo the mounting fears faced by many today.
Gullick Gives Evie Community, Kivel Considers It an Antidote to Late-Stage Capitalism's Isolation and Alienation
In contrast to the impersonal forces of capitalism that displace Evie, the novel introduces a salvaging element through the depiction of community. Recognizing the power of communal ties, the author, Emily Hunt Kivel, regards community as a vital counterforce to the alienation an ...
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The Novel's Exploration of Capitalism, Community, and Belonging
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Clarifications
- Late-stage capitalism is a term used to describe a theoretical point in the development of capitalist economies where certain characteristics like income inequality, monopolies, and financialization become more pronounced. It suggests a phase where capitalism's negative aspects, such as exploitation and alienation, are heightened due to the system's evolution over time. This concept is often associated with critiques of contemporary economic systems and their impact on society. It implies a stage beyond the initial growth and competition-driven phases of capitalism, focusing more on issues related to wealth distribution and social disparities.
- Airbnb is a platform where individuals can rent out their properties for short-term stays to travelers. It allows people to list their homes or rooms for rent, providing an alternative to traditional hotels. The company acts as a middleman, connecting hosts with guests and taking a commission from each booking. Founded in 2008, Airbnb has grown to become a popular choice for accommodation worldwide.
- Alienation from communities in the context of capitalism refers to the sense of disconnection and isolation individuals may experience due to the prioritization of profit and efficiency over social bonds. In capitalist societies, the focus on individual success and competition can lead to a breakdown in communal relationships and a lack of shared values. This alienation can manifest as feelings of loneliness, lack of belonging, and a weakening of support networks traditionally found in close-knit communities. It highlights the tension between the pursuit of economic goals and the need for meaningful social connections for overall well-being.
- A profit-driven society is one where the primary focus is on generating financial gains and maximizing profits. This often leads to decisions prioritizing financial success over other considerations like social welfare or environmental sustainability. In such a society, economic activities and policies are structured to enhance profitability and economic growth, sometimes at the expense of other values or concerns. The pursuit of profit can influence various aspects of life, shaping behaviors, priorities, and societal structures to align with financial interests.
- Excessively costly and exploitative environments typically refer to situations where the cost of living or engaging in certain activities is unreasonably high, often ...
Counterarguments
- The metaphor of Evie's story for late-stage capitalism might oversimplify the complexities of the economic system and not account for the nuances of individual experiences within it.
- The focus on community as an antidote to capitalism's ills may overlook the potential for communities themselves to perpetuate exclusion or inequality.
- The idea that community formation should feel "effortless" might be idealistic and not reflect the work required to build and maintain healthy communities.
- The novel's depiction of housing insecurity in New York City may not fully represent the diversity of causes and solutions to the housing crisis.
- The emphasis on finding physical "locales" for community might underestimate the role of digital spaces in providing meaningful connections and combating isolation.
- The belief in com ...
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