51zRoiP7gjLSynopsis: “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 humour 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. 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. Filled with suspense, you may read it quickly to find out what happens, but what happens to Danny and Maeve will stay with you for a very long time.”

My Review

This was a real family saga about the lives of Danny and Maeve Conroy through the decades. The title of the book is the nickname of the house they lived in before their father died and their stepmother threw them out!

It was told through Danny’s eyes from a young boy, until he was an adult with grown up children of his own. He’s looking back and remembering everything that happened to him and his sister and that house.

I liked Danny, but wasn’t so keen on his sister Maeve, she felt too bossy to me, pushing him to study medicine to get revenge on their stepmother, rather than because Danny wanted to do it or because she thought it was a good thing to study. He didn’t want to become a doctor, but went along with what she wanted, for a long time!

This was my first Ann Patchett book and it reminded me a lot of Anne Tyler’s French Braid that I listened to earlier in the year, stories of families through the decades.

Tom Hanks was superb as you’d expect. He didn’t do any voices for the different characters, but it really worked. I’d love to listen him narrate more audiobooks, but I don’t think he’s had time what with that acting career of his!

Recommended on audio if you enjoy family sagas.

Book 19 of 20 Books of Summer