THE DUTCH HOUSE

by Ann Patchett

Ann Patchett has done it again – written a fabulous novel from beginning to end. I am amazed at how reliably she produces books that I absolutely love. The Dutch House tells the story of a brother and sister, Danny and Maeve, who were abandoned by their mother at a young age. When their father remarries and soon thereafter dies, their stepmother throws them out of their magnificent family home in the Philadelphia suburbs. For the rest of their lives, Danny and Maeve struggle with their mother’s abandonment, their father’s aloofness, their stepmother’s cruelty and their obligations to each other. Ultimately, The Dutch House is a story of forgiveness and how each of us attains it.

Patchett is an astute observer of human behavior and clearly articulates those observations in her writing. Her characters are multi-faceted and sympathetic. Even the characters that we like and route for have their flaws – just like real people. Part of what makes Patchett so masterful is her ability to create realistic dialogue, both external and internal.

The Dutch House gracefully explores issues of family. What does loyalty look like? Can that loyalty become excessive? You’ll love this book as you read it and will be left thinking about it long after you’ve finished. (Liz)