Finalist for the Pulitzer PrizeNew York Times Bestseller | A Read with Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick | A New York Times Book Review Notable Book | TIME Magazine’s 100 Must-Read Books of 2019Named one of the Best Books of the Year by NPR, The Washington Post; O: The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, Vogue, Refinery29, and BuzzfeedAnn Patchett, the #1 New York Times bestselling … NPR, The Washington Post; O: The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, Vogue, Refinery29, and Buzzfeed
Ann Patchett, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Commonwealth, delivers her most powerful novel to date: a richly moving story that explores the indelible bond between two siblings, the house of their childhood, and a past that will not let them go. The Dutch House is the story of a paradise lost, a tour de force that digs deeply into questions of inheritance, love and forgiveness, of how we want to see ourselves and of who we really are.
At the end of the Second World War, Cyril Conroy combines luck and a single canny investment to begin an enormous real estate empire, propelling his family from poverty to enormous wealth. His first order of business is to buy the Dutch House, a lavish estate in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia. Meant as a surprise for his wife, the house sets in motion the undoing of everyone he loves.
The story is told by Cyril’s son Danny, as he and his older sister, the brilliantly acerbic and self-assured Maeve, are exiled from the house where they grew up by their stepmother. The two wealthy siblings are thrown back into the poverty their parents had escaped from and find that all they have to count on is one another. It is this unshakeable bond between them that both saves their lives and thwarts their futures.
Set over the course of five decades, The Dutch House is a dark fairy tale about two smart people who cannot overcome their past. Despite every outward sign of success, Danny and Maeve are only truly comfortable when they’re together. Throughout their lives they return to the well-worn story of what they’ve lost with humor and rage. But when at last they’re forced to confront the people who left them behind, the relationship between an indulged brother and his ever-protective sister is finally tested.
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An interesting modern Cinderella-type story, minus the prince, with the titled house as one of the central characters. A compelling story by Patchett, with effective characterization. The story could have been condensed in places, mostly in the last half of the book. The themes would promote good book club discussion.
Absolutely loved The Dutch House . I have 50 pages left and really don’t want this book to end. I felt emotionally involved with each of the characters and will miss seeing the world through Danny’s eyes. The vivid descriptions of the house and surrounding neighborhood really brought the story to life. I want to strangle Andrea. Don’t want to give anything away. I highly recommend this book!
I have loved Ann Patchett’s books, but this one was a little less than spectacular. I finished it, and it got better as it went along, but was never compelling.
I have liked all of Ann Patchett’s books. This is one of my favorites, along with Bel Canto and Patron Saint of Liars.
First of all, I love Ann Patchett’s writing. I admire the way she depicts her stories with such details. This story takes place over five decades and follows a brother and sister who are banished from their wealthy lifestyle into hardship. Together they face their uncertain future as they confront members of their family and test their ability to forgive. A book that is hard to put down
I began reading this book via paperback. After four chapters I switched to the audiobook version as I had a busy schedule that didn’t allow reading. Tom Hanks is the narrator. He provides a great voice for the novel. Much better than the one I heard in my head while reading.
Very good story. i enjoyed the characters especially maeve and danny and their relationship. i have read all of ann patchett’s books and enjoyed them all
very good story.
Patchett, so skilled at character development, is in fine form with this family drama playing out over thirty years of suspense and surprise.
I especially liked reading the book because I grew up nearby and it brought back memories.
Great plot and great writing style.
This is a dense book with wonderfully descriptive writing and fully developed characters. Basically, exactly what you expect from this author in terms of the quality and insights into life that you will experience while reading. I struggled a bit with the passive-aggressive tendencies of these siblings, and I yearned for them to become more enlightened more quickly, but the slice of life story is quite believable, and the metaphors magnificent. When you are ready for a slow burn of a story, sit down and give this one a read.
Just finished listening to this brilliant work of art. Do yourself a favor and step inside deep relational layers of the Dutch House.
This novel lives up to all its great reviews, and I found the story interesting and absorbing. The aging of the characters from young child to middle age is done especially well, and the devotion of the two siblings to each other is very touching. Highly recommended.
I love a good sibling story. With her newest book, Ann Patchett did not disappoint. Both witty and tender, this story follows the children of The Dutch House over five decades as they attempt to understand and overcome their past. There is a gracefulness to the pacing of the story and these well written characters (while complex and flawed) pulled at my heartstrings. I thoroughly enjoyed!
Beautifully written – and performed in audio by Tom Hanks.
Loved all her other books and found this uninspired. Finished only because I bought it and thought it would suddenly get better.
I loved this book!
I love Ann Patchett, however, the audio book was read by Tom Hanks and it pulled some of the attention away from her lovely prose.
The Dutch House is so good it will take your breath away. It is a wonderful novel and absolutely flawless. Read it slowly and savor it. You may never find a book this good again!
Gary J. George
Ann Patchett is a masterful writer who continues to create entire worlds thrpoiugh her stories…