Sunday, November 10, 2019

The Dutch House; Ann Patchett



TITLE: The Dutch House
AUTHOR:  Ann Patchett
PUBLISHER: Harper Audio
PUB. YEAR: 2019
SETTING: Pennsylvania
FORMAT: audio/library
RATING - 5/5

What a wonderful story of family, home, memories, love and loss. This is likely to be my favorite book of 2019.  

The "Dutch House" is a character itself in this story. The grand estate located outside of Philadelphia was acquired in the mid-1940s by real estate developer Cyril Conroy after the previous "dutch" owner falls into financial ruin.  When Cyril's wife, Elna learns that the family (they have a daughter Maeve, 10 and son Danny 3) are suppose to call this showy estate their home, she wants no part of it. Their previous home was tiny and cozy and now, the mansion comes complete with silk furniture, Chinese lightening and rich oil paintings along with hired help.

Elna had not been aware that her husband had acquired so much money and, the thought of living in this grand mansion causes her to flee to pursue her dream of helping the less fortunate.  This leaves the young children to grow up with their cold, distant father and the hired help and, soon a wicked-step mother with her own children.

Told over a 50 year period from the POV of Danny (Tom Hanks is the audio book narrator and really comes alive in this role).  He tells such an engaging and memorable story about the impact of our earliest childhood memories on our adult lives. I loved how this story came full circle and kept me engaged throughout. This just may be Ann Patchett's best book yet. I marvel at her ability to create a sense of tension and anticipation to her stories.
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11 comments:

  1. Brian's Home BlogNovember 10, 2019 at 8:35 AM

    That sounds like a really interesting one!

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  2. bermudaonionNovember 10, 2019 at 10:03 AM

    I read one of her books and was so disappointed by the ending that I haven't read another. It sounds like I might need to consider this one.

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  3. Judy KruegerNovember 10, 2019 at 11:27 AM

    Thanks for your enthusiastic review!

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  4. AnonymousNovember 10, 2019 at 4:59 PM

    Ann Patchett is really very good, but I hadn't thought I'd like this one. But, your favorite book of 2019? That's very encouraging.

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  5. Sam November 10, 2019 at 6:38 PM

    I totally agree with you. This is a beautifully constructed book and it's destined to end up somewhere in my 2019 Top 10, probably in the top five. And now I want to read it via the audiobook just to hear Tom Hanks play Danny; wish I had known beforehand. :-)

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  6. JudithNovember 10, 2019 at 6:57 PM

    Hi Diane,
    I've loved most of Ann Patchett's novels, though I must admit I tossed Commonwealth after 50 pages. But!! I bought The Dutch House and I must get it to it. I'm so glad you liked it.

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  7. SukoNovember 10, 2019 at 10:45 PM

    Glad you enjoyed this book so much!

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  8. jenclairNovember 11, 2019 at 8:11 AM

    I've read several enthusiastic reviews (and I love Ann Patchett). I look forward to this one.

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  9. thecuecardNovember 13, 2019 at 4:01 PM

    I have a copy so I'm looking forward to it. Glad you liked it!

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  10. Les in OregonNovember 16, 2019 at 2:19 PM

    I had planned to listen to this on audio, but my mom just finished it in print and gave me her book to read. Now I'm torn. Print or audio?!?!

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  11. Laurel-Rain SnowNovember 16, 2019 at 3:59 PM

    I have this book, and can't wait to read it. Great review.

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