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People Like Us
Before they had Too Much Money, the inhabitants of Dominick Dunne’s glitzy, gossipy New York Times bestselling novels were People Like Us .
The way journalist Gus Bailey tells it, old money is always preferred, but occasionally new money sneaks in–even where it is most unwelcome. After moving from Cincinnati, Elias and Ruby Renthal strike it even richer in New York, turning their millions into billions. It would be impolite for high society to refuse them now. Not to mention disadvantageous. As long as the market is strong, there’s absolutely nothing to worry about–except for those nasty secrets from the past. Scandal, anyone?
The way journalist Gus Bailey tells it, old money is always preferred, but occasionally new money sneaks in–even where it is most unwelcome. After moving from Cincinnati, Elias and Ruby Renthal strike it even richer in New York, turning their millions into billions. It would be impolite for high society to refuse them now. Not to mention disadvantageous. As long as the market is strong, there’s absolutely nothing to worry about–except for those nasty secrets from the past. Scandal, anyone?
514 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 1988
About the author
Dominick Dunne
48 books355 followersDominick Dunne was an American writer and investigative journalist whose subjects frequently hinged on the ways high society interacts with the judiciary system. He was a producer in Hollywood and is also known from his frequent appearances on television.
After his studies at Williams College and service in World War II, Dunne moved to New York, then to Hollywood, where he directed Playhouse 90 and became vice president of Four Star Pictures. He hobnobbed with the rich and the famous of those days. In 1979, he left Hollywood, moved to Oregon, and wrote his first book, The Winners. In November 1982, his actress daughter, Dominique Dunne, was murdered. Dunne attended the trial of her murderer (John Thomas Sweeney) and subsequently wrote Justice: A Father's Account of the Trial of his Daughter's Killer.
After his studies at Williams College and service in World War II, Dunne moved to New York, then to Hollywood, where he directed Playhouse 90 and became vice president of Four Star Pictures. He hobnobbed with the rich and the famous of those days. In 1979, he left Hollywood, moved to Oregon, and wrote his first book, The Winners. In November 1982, his actress daughter, Dominique Dunne, was murdered. Dunne attended the trial of her murderer (John Thomas Sweeney) and subsequently wrote Justice: A Father's Account of the Trial of his Daughter's Killer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
May 21, 2011
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 view. "A Season in Purgatory" is loosely based on the 1970's Martha Moxley/Kennedy association murder. I have read all of his fiction and most of his nonfiction. He died a few years ago and I wish there were more to his legacy of literature.
June 30, 2019
4.5 but since I have a fond spot in my heart for him he gets a full 5...
Dominick Dunne is Augustus is the story. His daughter, Dominique (the Poltergeist), was choked to death for 5 minutes by her jealous, psycho boyfriend in real life and also in the story. Lefty Flint gets 3 yrs for murder and great behavior. He plays out his fantasy to shoot him in the book. Gus is obsessed with revenge all the while dining with the uber rich New York crowd.
Elias and Ruby Renthal are the "new people" billionaires of NY society. The story is revolved around them and the hateful "old generation" families. The lengths they go to sully names or get invited to the best dinners with the elite. Dunne does a great job in making the sex just enough to say, "Oh, nice!" Or "That was a sexy scene" without making it overly raunchy or tasteless.
Lots of characters but once I got them sorted out the storyline pulled me in to all the rich bastards and their evil ways.
I'm wondering if Elias and Ruby are based on any real life specific people like THE TWO MRS. GRENVILLES was.....?
Dominick Dunne is Augustus is the story. His daughter, Dominique (the Poltergeist), was choked to death for 5 minutes by her jealous, psycho boyfriend in real life and also in the story. Lefty Flint gets 3 yrs for murder and great behavior. He plays out his fantasy to shoot him in the book. Gus is obsessed with revenge all the while dining with the uber rich New York crowd.
Elias and Ruby Renthal are the "new people" billionaires of NY society. The story is revolved around them and the hateful "old generation" families. The lengths they go to sully names or get invited to the best dinners with the elite. Dunne does a great job in making the sex just enough to say, "Oh, nice!" Or "That was a sexy scene" without making it overly raunchy or tasteless.
Lots of characters but once I got them sorted out the storyline pulled me in to all the rich bastards and their evil ways.
I'm wondering if Elias and Ruby are based on any real life specific people like THE TWO MRS. GRENVILLES was.....?
May 1, 2015
Added 5/1/15.
I picked this book up for free somewhere. I started reading but bailed out after a few pages. I had a hard time keeping all the characters straight. In fact there were so many characters introduced so early in the book that I gave up after the first few pages. As my husband says, there didn't seem to be any "connectivity". I guess he meant that he didn't see where it was all going... how one character connected to the next. Anyway, both of us gave up in the very beginning. I don't understand how readers can keep reading when there doesn't seem to be anything to grab onto.
What's their secret? Are those readers' memories so good that they are they able to keep track of all those characters or don't they let the confusion bother them?
Perhaps the book's characters weren't fleshed out enough in the beginning to remember them, in order to keep them straight. In other words, they weren't given any substance or expanded upon. They just had names.
Another GR reviewer felt the same. See her short GR review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
PS-Years ago I read Dunne's novel, The Two Mrs. Grenvilles. If my memory serves me correctly, that was a good read.
I picked this book up for free somewhere. I started reading but bailed out after a few pages. I had a hard time keeping all the characters straight. In fact there were so many characters introduced so early in the book that I gave up after the first few pages. As my husband says, there didn't seem to be any "connectivity". I guess he meant that he didn't see where it was all going... how one character connected to the next. Anyway, both of us gave up in the very beginning. I don't understand how readers can keep reading when there doesn't seem to be anything to grab onto.
What's their secret? Are those readers' memories so good that they are they able to keep track of all those characters or don't they let the confusion bother them?
Perhaps the book's characters weren't fleshed out enough in the beginning to remember them, in order to keep them straight. In other words, they weren't given any substance or expanded upon. They just had names.
Another GR reviewer felt the same. See her short GR review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
PS-Years ago I read Dunne's novel, The Two Mrs. Grenvilles. If my memory serves me correctly, that was a good read.
July 24, 2014
There are few books I would describe as beautifully trashy, but People Like Us definitely fits the bill. Written in the heyday of 1980s excess, and apparently based on a number of Important Society Folk, People Like Us is the perfect mixture of salaciousness, opulence, and just enough heart to keep the reader from total disgust.
For the reader like me, who has more and more trouble keeping track of a large list of characters, do try and stick it out past the first few chapters. Dunne throws a lot of characters at you at once, but his talent is to make them all so memorable that you'll have no trouble with them once you've gotten stuck in. Like the best of authors, he makes even the terrible people fascinating, so that you are compelled to read what dirty deed they will engage in next.
Just a marvelous summer read, overall, even if I did have absolutely no idea who any of the characters were supposed to represent (a bit before my time, I'm afraid).
For the reader like me, who has more and more trouble keeping track of a large list of characters, do try and stick it out past the first few chapters. Dunne throws a lot of characters at you at once, but his talent is to make them all so memorable that you'll have no trouble with them once you've gotten stuck in. Like the best of authors, he makes even the terrible people fascinating, so that you are compelled to read what dirty deed they will engage in next.
Just a marvelous summer read, overall, even if I did have absolutely no idea who any of the characters were supposed to represent (a bit before my time, I'm afraid).
July 31, 2011
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.
October 27, 2009
Really good trash.
June 7, 2016
Dominick Dunne is / was his own genre. Class warfare fiction? No one else comes to mind who captures the milieu of NYC's 'social x-rays' and with such great humor. As a bonus, he does actually know the difference between, say, Sevres and Meissen. Or, between Savonnerie and Savonarola. His insider bon mots are laughoutloud funny. Politicians, crooked investment gurus and bankers, they all appear, conjured in piquant detail and skewered where it hurts the most.
September 19, 2007
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.
March 5, 2014
Dominick Dunne wrote about high society and showed it to be just like the world of high school. Reading his books are a guilty pleasure especially while trying to figure out which society doyenne is which thinly veiled character. Trashy good fun.
July 27, 2014
It actually helps to read the fiction books in order. I remember starting with The Two Mrs. Grenvilles; I'm not sure why. Perhaps I just remembered that he died about a year before my daughter, and I'd come across the fact that his own daughter, the actress Dominique Dunne, was murdered in her 20s. Once I started them, I didn't stop. Characters will come in and out of following novels, and it was nice to recognize them. It was as if I was part of the community, albeit, not a very healthy one.
Since Mr. Dunne ended up being somewhat obsessed with injustice (the murderer of his daughter received a short jail time) and wrote for Vanity Fair Magazine, it was culturally interesting to hear the names I could also realize from reality: Menendez Brothers, O.J. Simpson, Kennedy, and others--a kind of present-day historical fiction. A Season in Purgatory was especially poignant since it fictionalizes the death of his daughter.
By the time I'd gotten to the final book, Too Much Money, which was published just after his death in 2009, I'd come to love Mr. Gus Bailey, flaws and all.
Since Mr. Dunne ended up being somewhat obsessed with injustice (the murderer of his daughter received a short jail time) and wrote for Vanity Fair Magazine, it was culturally interesting to hear the names I could also realize from reality: Menendez Brothers, O.J. Simpson, Kennedy, and others--a kind of present-day historical fiction. A Season in Purgatory was especially poignant since it fictionalizes the death of his daughter.
By the time I'd gotten to the final book, Too Much Money, which was published just after his death in 2009, I'd come to love Mr. Gus Bailey, flaws and all.
May 9, 2021
This book transports you to the 1980s Upper East Side. Couldn’t put it down. Fun to try to figure out who the characters are based on although some are composites.
April 22, 2010
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.
February 3, 2009
Another fun read by DD.
June 25, 2013
Enjoyed & am finally donating as I need to cull bookshelves before moving.
December 19, 2014
Dunne occupied a rare place in our world, the guy who knows everyone! As such, he was uniquely qualified to capture this small and fading world in the time period that he did. While the phenomena of those with new money ascending to dominance amongst the established monied set is a story that has happened repeatedly throughout history, the extravagances of the new money in the 80's were highly entertaining as well as appalling to the rather sedate society that had held sway for quite some time. This is not a fiction book as much as a pastiche of roman a clefs. These are real people...their mannerisms, habits, attitudes, even, I would think, fairly accurate conversations. Dunne, like Gus Bailey, is the guy people tell things to! And he's perfectly correct when he says that these people love to talk about each other more than any other subject!
If you enjoy reading about the upper classes, you might enjoy the considerably more literary Louis Auchincloss. His slim books have been documenting the attitudes and morals of this "old money" class throughout the 20th century. And from an insiders point of view, as he is from one of these old families.
From a hilarious and gay viewpoint, Joe Keenan's three books also manage to capture society.
If you enjoy reading about the upper classes, you might enjoy the considerably more literary Louis Auchincloss. His slim books have been documenting the attitudes and morals of this "old money" class throughout the 20th century. And from an insiders point of view, as he is from one of these old families.
From a hilarious and gay viewpoint, Joe Keenan's three books also manage to capture society.
May 13, 2020
Apr 2023
I reread a bunch of novels I like set in New York during my trip to New York, and I am bumping this up to five stars on the reread. The characters and their arcs and development are phenomenal. I think this is up there with some of my favourite novels, actually. Fresh and enthralling. It is easy to believe that this is a roman a clef because the characters are so vividly captured, and outside of the stock tropes for characters that authors draw on so often.
And some of the dialogue! The conversations between Lil and her kids, for instance...so good.
Great pacing. An excellent build, slow and measured, such that you don't even realize how into it you've gotten until you're close to the dramatic peak, and a truly excellent denouement.
******
May 2020
Another one of Kevin Kwan's recommendations list, once again about the old money bluebloods of New York. I really liked it.
It has all the fun of a bubbly and shiny (though at times scathing) satire about the rich old money society of New York, replete with social climbing, insider trading, revenge, scandalous marriages, gatekeeping, money, fashion, and style; but also all the substance that a person could want, being also about love, growth, and family.
I reread a bunch of novels I like set in New York during my trip to New York, and I am bumping this up to five stars on the reread. The characters and their arcs and development are phenomenal. I think this is up there with some of my favourite novels, actually. Fresh and enthralling. It is easy to believe that this is a roman a clef because the characters are so vividly captured, and outside of the stock tropes for characters that authors draw on so often.
And some of the dialogue! The conversations between Lil and her kids, for instance...so good.
Great pacing. An excellent build, slow and measured, such that you don't even realize how into it you've gotten until you're close to the dramatic peak, and a truly excellent denouement.
******
May 2020
Another one of Kevin Kwan's recommendations list, once again about the old money bluebloods of New York. I really liked it.
It has all the fun of a bubbly and shiny (though at times scathing) satire about the rich old money society of New York, replete with social climbing, insider trading, revenge, scandalous marriages, gatekeeping, money, fashion, and style; but also all the substance that a person could want, being also about love, growth, and family.
February 5, 2011
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 how this soap opera would play out.. and start another of his novels.
September 10, 2012
Trashy, sure, but sometimes you just need a little trash. I plowed right through it, so in fairness, I'm giving it 4 stars.
November 20, 2018
Made it to page 20.......couldn't go further.
January 5, 2025
A yummy junk read with pretty writing. I also appreciate the constantly switching perspectives, though I wouldn’t recommend breaking up the read as it could be difficult to keep track of the various characters if you step away for too long!
Slow pacing really only propelled by gossip made the ending feel rushed.
Slow pacing really only propelled by gossip made the ending feel rushed.
May 25, 2020
Brilliant
I absolutely loved this book. It’s the first Dunne novel I’ve read. I will be bingeing his work now. He is an utterly superb writer.
I absolutely loved this book. It’s the first Dunne novel I’ve read. I will be bingeing his work now. He is an utterly superb writer.
May 14, 2021
Unfortunately, Dunne's works aren't aging well.
October 11, 2023
The second of my Dominick Dunne’s, these are so much fun to read. Will definitely be devouring more.
January 15, 2024
RUBY RENTHAL YOU WILL ALWAYS BE FAMOUS
July 23, 2019
Stinging indictment of the “old money” of NYC in the ‘80s. Along with the rise and fall of fictitious self-made billionaire Elias and his wife Ruby, there is the autobiographical story (loosely) of Gus Bailey who is on the fringe of this entitled society while battling his feelings of revenge for the murder of his daughter. But don’t expect a murder mystery, this book is all about high society and teeth and claws that inhabit the salons there, ready to tear down any upstart unfortunate enough to believe that all men are created equal.
I wish I knew more about New York society because it would be fun matching the fictional characters to the real people they are based on. Lots of characters, can sometimes be confusing but the ride is great!
I wish I knew more about New York society because it would be fun matching the fictional characters to the real people they are based on. Lots of characters, can sometimes be confusing but the ride is great!
May 26, 2017
A strange book from start to end, but enjoyable nonetheless. The beginning was a lot to swallow, but a very fitting introduction- both to the characters and the book's pacing. There was a lot of pretentious language used throughout the book, but that's to be expected, considering the subject manner. The characters were funny and flawed and seemed fairly genuine, especially Gus and Ruby. There wasn't a character I didn't like, and few that I wouldn't have liked to know more about- though the book was definitely long enough as it was! Overall a good read.
June 5, 2009
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.
November 18, 2017
This book is a comedy of manners and ultimately a tragedy of morals, the story of the era of the eighties,when the rich went public. Somewhat different from the books I normally read. Old money vs new money.
September 19, 2022
I am conflicted. By the end I really enjoyed it but it took me sooo long to read bc I just couldn’t get into it for a long time.
February 20, 2026
People Like Us
is the fourth novel that I've read by Dominick Dunne. Lil Altemus, daughter of the Van Degan dynasty, has dominated New York society for decades. She turns a blind eye to her son’s indiscretions, but tries her hardest to stop her daughter Justine from marrying Bernie Slatkin, whose name is most definitely not in the Social Register. Elias and Ruby Renthal, upstart billionaires, yearn to grace New York society, if only they can shake off the secrets of their past. And then there’s Gus Bailey, writer and narrator of the novel. He observes his friends and acquaintances with a keen eye, though he’s running from a past of his own.
What a delicious little book! I adore Dunne's writing. He had a real talent for capturing vibrant, compelling personalities. Each character in People Like Us has their own history, their own motivations. And the humor! My goodness. Between Bernie Slatkin's giant dick, Uncle Van Degan yearning for a time when poor gays like us just shot ourselves, and Dodo giving ol' Grandpa Van Degan hand jobs to porno tapes? Absolute magic. Ruby Renthal is such a vulgar, but endearing character! There were so many parts of this book that were an absolute riot to read about.
My favorite scene, of course, has to be the ball hosted by the Renthals. What beautiful chaos. It’s all Nancy Reagan and dead butterflies. Who could ask for more? Aside from the wry sense of humor, there were some very cutting social observations in this novel. Dunne was a very gifted satirist. The most interesting part of this novel, aside from the humor, however, is Gus Bailey. Gus is a stand-in for Dunne. His daughter is murdered and Gus seeks revenge. This bit of narrative justice felt nice. Definitely another fascinating read, not as strong as The Two Mrs. Grenvilles or A Season in Purgatory, but still deliciously entertaining.
What a delicious little book! I adore Dunne's writing. He had a real talent for capturing vibrant, compelling personalities. Each character in People Like Us has their own history, their own motivations. And the humor! My goodness. Between Bernie Slatkin's giant dick, Uncle Van Degan yearning for a time when poor gays like us just shot ourselves, and Dodo giving ol' Grandpa Van Degan hand jobs to porno tapes? Absolute magic. Ruby Renthal is such a vulgar, but endearing character! There were so many parts of this book that were an absolute riot to read about.
My favorite scene, of course, has to be the ball hosted by the Renthals. What beautiful chaos. It’s all Nancy Reagan and dead butterflies. Who could ask for more? Aside from the wry sense of humor, there were some very cutting social observations in this novel. Dunne was a very gifted satirist. The most interesting part of this novel, aside from the humor, however, is Gus Bailey. Gus is a stand-in for Dunne. His daughter is murdered and Gus seeks revenge. This bit of narrative justice felt nice. Definitely another fascinating read, not as strong as The Two Mrs. Grenvilles or A Season in Purgatory, but still deliciously entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews