Great Read

The Dutch House, by Ann Patchett

Harper Collins, 2019

Adult Fiction, 466 pages

Set over the course of fifty years, this is a parallel story of families who lived in a mansion built by a wealthy Dutch family, and how Maeve and Danny’s father, Cyril Conroy, pulled himself up from poverty by buying real estate and bought the fabulous house as a surprise for his wife and two children. Cyril’s wife, who he spirited away from the convent where she was living after the war to marry him, could not cope with living in a grand house with servants. She had the naïve mindset that she was born to be of service and help people, and there was nothing for her to do in that house. Her solution was to go to India to help the poor, leaving house, husband, and children behind.

The story, as told by Danny, is about those two children and how they grew up with an emotionally distant father and Maeve the elder child taking care of her brother, who was only four when their mother left. Their father suddenly remarries to a young divorcee with two small daughters and the stepmother takes over their lives, not in a good way.

There are lots of twists and turns in the story of Maeve and Danny as he grows up and has his own family. The two live thinking their mother has probably died, not having heard from her for years, but as “the plot thickens”, she unexpectedly reappears, an event not welcomed by Danny, and becomes reacquainted and involved with Maeve. She also establishes herself with her grandchildren, Danny’s son and daughter.

As you might surmise, family dynamics play a huge part in the saga of the Dutch house. I heartily recommend that you read this touching tale of the lives and loves of the people who are connected by the grand old mansion.

Submitted by SB