9 Books That Pit The Haves Against the Have-Nots

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My novel Good Rich People pits the “Have” and “Have-Nots” against each other in violent game, the prize of which is simply the right to exist. In the real world, every one of us is locked in such a battle. The novels on this list imagine that battle on grander scale.

The funny thing is, in fiction the “Have-Nots” often take on the more villainous characteristics: envy, wrath, even murderous intentions are de rigueur. Meanwhile, the wealthy are simply annoying, insensitive but worst of all rich—so really, can you blame the “Have-Nots” for wanting them dead?

Fiction is possibly the only place where the “Have-Nots” can defeat the “Haves,” and the penance is that no character can be the hero.

Social Creatures by Tara Isabella Burton

“Have-Not” Louise is struggling to make ends meet, working three jobs in Brooklyn of all places. By chance, she meets has-it-all Lavinia and is drawn into her intoxicating world of drugs and parties and wealth. But when Lavinia starts to lose interest in her new playmate, Louise will fight to keep this new life of privilege, at any cost.

Josie and Jack by Kelly Braffet

Pitched as a contemporary Hansel and Gretel, this book details the misadventures of a pair of brilliant siblings raised in isolation in their abusive father’s ramshackle estate. They escape into the world and are taken in by a wealthy socialite. As is always the case with the wealthy in novels, she thinks she makes the rules. The siblings disagree.

Bittersweet by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore

Middle-Class Mabel befriends blue-blooded Genevra at university and is invited to summer at her Vermont estate. Seemingly inspired by the Kennedy Estate, the Winslow’s world is at first intoxicating, but over the course of the summer Mabel discovers that the illusion of perfection is built on more than money.

Genuine Fraud by E Lockhart

From the author of We Were Liars—another book about “Have and Have-Nots”—comes this reimagining of The Talented Mr. Ripley. Told in reverse, we first meet Imogen on the run. She is a social chameleon rifling through disguises. As the story unfolds, we find that Imogen is actually Jules, that she formed an attachment to the wealthy Imogen before she became her. So, what happened to the real Imogen?

A Simple Favor by Darcey Bell

Stay-at-home blogger Stephanie considers herself a close friend of flashy executive Emily, but when Emily vanishes, Stephanie finds there is much more to Emily than she ever knew, or could imagine. A Simple Favor takes the adage “things aren’t always what they seem” to shocking new levels.

The Club by Ellery Lloyd

Home Club is a Soho House-like chain of private member’s clubs, each one more grandiose then the last. The Club takes place over a single weekend as the franchise opens its most exclusive location ever, on an isolated island off the coast of England. What could go wrong? Ellery Llyod’s tale examines the explosive consequences of “Have and Have-Nots” in close quarters.

Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld

Curtis Sittenfeld’s debut novel follows scholarship student Lee Fiora as she enters an exclusive prep school. Lee is looking for a better life but finds herself continually on the outside of her classmates’ glamourous lives.

The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine

“Have-Not” Amber wants the life wealthy Daphne Parrish takes for granted, and she has a plan to get it. Amber works to insinuate herself into the Parrish’s glittering world. But Amber wants more than Daphne’s friendship, she wants to take her life.

The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware

Hal receives an inheritance by mistake, but decides to play along to improve her circumstances. She follows the money to the creepy Trepassen House where a variety of chills and gothic surprises await her.

The Girlfriend by Michelle Frances

Laura has it all, but her son’s new girlfriend Cherry hasn’t had the same opportunities. Laura sees Cherry as a gold-digger. Cherry sees Laura as an obstacle. Let the games begin!

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