abroadwell's review
4.0
My opinion of this book changed slowly as it progressed. I was initially a bit uninterested in the life of the first-person narrator, who seems to be a man with many privileges and not much insight into himself or the people around him. Danny Conroy seems to constantly misunderstand his primarily female family.
Danny's unfair treatment by his stepmother is shocking, and the bitterness toward her that pervades the middle part of the novel is also not very gripping to me.
But the resolution toward forgiveness, change, and growth in the last third of the novel impressed me greatly, and made me glad to have read this.
Two notes on the audio book version --
1.) If you are writing a novel that you know will be produced as an audio book, why name one character Maeve and the other May? Very confusing to the listener to know which is being referred to.
2.) Tom Hanks is a poor narrator for audio books, often calling attention to himself with odd vocal mannerisms that pulled me away from the book. What was up with the very peculiar way that he read the chapter titles?
Danny's unfair treatment by his stepmother is shocking, and the bitterness toward her that pervades the middle part of the novel is also not very gripping to me.
But the resolution toward forgiveness, change, and growth in the last third of the novel impressed me greatly, and made me glad to have read this.
Two notes on the audio book version --
1.) If you are writing a novel that you know will be produced as an audio book, why name one character Maeve and the other May? Very confusing to the listener to know which is being referred to.
2.) Tom Hanks is a poor narrator for audio books, often calling attention to himself with odd vocal mannerisms that pulled me away from the book. What was up with the very peculiar way that he read the chapter titles?
manalsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I recommend listening to the audiobook, it is beautiful read by Tom Hanks.
Loved how this book goes through 5 decades navigating the dynamics between this complex family.
Loved how this book goes through 5 decades navigating the dynamics between this complex family.
lhhrmn's review
4.0
This is my first Ann Patchett, so I can't compare it to any of her other novels, but I loved how unique this premise was. Danny and Maeve are really great characters and well-developed. My one beef with the book, which I never really got over, was the somewhat abrupt flashbacks/flash forwards. I realize there was a page break and some asterisks, but it took me a while to catch on that that was what was happening and even then, I wanted some easy context, like what year it was, or at least as its own short chapter. Overall, I enjoyed all the characters and how unique they all felt compared to other books I've read this year.
ianthereader0's review
4.0
Story: 4/5
Writing: 5/5
Audio narration: 1,000/5
Overall: 4.5/5
This is my first experience with Ann Patchet, but I’m sure it will not be my last. Her prose is so digestible while also being so artistic in nature. She does an amazing job of conveying deep, complex emotions, and is excellent when it comes to building tension in a scene. The characters acted in ways that I did not fully anticipate, and responded in ways that were realistic while also being frustratingly unhealthy. This story depicts the vicious cycle of children turning into their parents, and delves deep into the dysfunction that can exist in a family when no one really stops to listen to each other. Tom Hanks is just as magnificent in audio as he is on the screen, and I highly recommend getting the audiobook, as it greatly enhanced the experience. I can’t wait to pick up another book by this author!
Writing: 5/5
Audio narration: 1,000/5
Overall: 4.5/5
This is my first experience with Ann Patchet, but I’m sure it will not be my last. Her prose is so digestible while also being so artistic in nature. She does an amazing job of conveying deep, complex emotions, and is excellent when it comes to building tension in a scene. The characters acted in ways that I did not fully anticipate, and responded in ways that were realistic while also being frustratingly unhealthy. This story depicts the vicious cycle of children turning into their parents, and delves deep into the dysfunction that can exist in a family when no one really stops to listen to each other. Tom Hanks is just as magnificent in audio as he is on the screen, and I highly recommend getting the audiobook, as it greatly enhanced the experience. I can’t wait to pick up another book by this author!
sorchasmam's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
shjomcphee's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
yo_olivia's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
scostanzo42's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting and enjoyable read. I would have liked it to go in chronological order instead of bouncing between time periods.
gengle's review
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
andrearbooks's review against another edition
3.0
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett was a book that I've been meaning to read forever, and I finally did as it's the selection for one of my book clubs. This was an interesting tale of the relationship between a brother and sister throughout their lives. This includes tragedy and challenge mostly at the hands of their stepmother and how they choose to take this on through the decades. The characters and decisions they make were so intriguing, and the dynamics are definitely what kept me reading.