The Review

“The Dutch House” by Ann Patchett is one that has been on my TBR for a while, but I never got around to actually reading it. When I saw that it was available on Libby as an “Available Now” choice, I decided to finally give the novel a chance. What I found was a carefully crafted novel focused on themes of family, memory, and overcoming the past – the later I personally have a hard time with.

The novel is told in the perspective of Danny Conroy. Set against the backdrop of The Dutch House, an excessively large home in the suburbs of Philadelphia, we see Danny’s coming-of-age as he struggles with abandonment, his inheritance, and family expectations.

A standout quality of the novel was the exploration between Danny and his older sister, Maeve. Patchett excels in creating dialogue that is genuine and showcases their bond. Their interactions are both heartwarming and but also heartbreaking at times. Being an eldest daughter myself, I could easily put myself in Maeve’s shoes, though the reader was only showed Danny’s perspective.

My favorite passage from the novel that showcases this rare authenticity was:

“Do you think it’s possible to ever see the past as it actually was?” Danny asks his sister Maeve. “ I see the past as it actually was,” Maeve said. Danny responds “ But we overlay the present onto the past. We look back through the lens of what we know, so we’re not seeing it as the people we were, we’re seeing it as the people we are, and that means the past has been radically altered.”

– The Dutch House, Ann Patchett

Another highlight of the novel was the pacing. At no point did I believe the novel was moving too quickly, or too slowly, which is impressive given that the novel showcases a full picture of Danny’s life from toddler to senior citizen. Instead, the novel flowed evenly allowing me to full immerse myself into the majestic world of the Dutch House.

Overall, The Dutch House is a beautifully written, thought-provoking novel that explores the enduring power of family ties and the ways in which our past shapes who we become. Ann Patchett’s ability to craft a compelling story with such emotional depth and resonance makes this book a standout in contemporary fiction. For those who appreciate rich character development and evocative storytelling, The Dutch House is a must-read.

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Short Review (AKA TLDR)

Centered around the perspective of Danny Conroy (voiced by Tom Hanks in the Audiobook), “The Dutch House” is a moving novel focused on the underlying theme of family, and more importantly, what does it mean to be a family.

The novel is told in a fairly chronological order but at times has a nonlinear narrative, as Danny jumps around in his train of thought. With a strong emphasis on the past having a hold over Danny and his older sister Maeve.

My favorite line from the novel was this one :
“Do you think it’s possible to ever see the past as it actually was?” Danny asks his sister Maeve. “ I see the past as it actually was,” Maeve said. Danny responds “ But we overlay the present onto the past. We look back through the lens of what we know, so we’re not seeing it as the people we were, we’re seeing it as the people we are, and that means the past has been radically altered.”