Reviews

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

gkovarie's review against another edition

reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0

turquoiseshell's review against another edition

emotional relaxing sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

emilyb_chicago's review against another edition

3.0

I listened to this book and can not say enough good things about Tom Hanks as a narrator. I have such clear and vivid pictures of these characters due to his reading (none of whom look anything like Hanks, oddly). I don't know if I'd have kept reading if I had it in paper - in fact I do have it in paper and haven't picked it up in those months it's lived on my shelf.

The story was told over the life of a family, but there wasn't for me a driving story arc that made me come back. I finished it because it was the book that I was listening to on my commute. I liked the writing, I liked the characters, but nothing in this book stood out to me.

My official rating is for the book, not the narrator. Tom Hanks gets 5 stars.

lennymckenny's review against another edition

1.0

Really couldn't connect with the characters. Thought the plot was boring.

janet_haviland's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective 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? Yes

4.5

Love. Really enjoyed the relationship between Danny and Maeve and between everyone and the house. How he turned into his father with no awareness of it. The lore of the house and everyone who lived or worked there. The international aspect and various caretakers of all the children. Really sweet and a bit heartbreaking. 

jansbookcorner's review against another edition

5.0

I have read most of Ann Patchett's books and they I haven't found one yet that was average for me. They are pretty well split between ones I liked and ones I didn't care for that much. This is one that I really liked. There was something about the dynamics between the Conroy siblings that spoke to me and kept me interested. Add the question of their mother and who she actually was as a person, and it all worked together to draw me in emotionally. Written in a way I expect from Ms Patchett which is what keeps me reading her books even when they aren't all hits in my eyes.

nataliamar's review against another edition

5.0

Lindo lindo lindo lindo de tudo. Eu AMEI esse livro

sharanle0808's review against another edition

reflective 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? Yes

3.75

enid815's review against another edition

5.0

Fabulous book about a dysfunctional family whose mother leaves her two children and a father that is distant. The two children lean on each other to get through all the obstacles that come into their life. Love the main characters Daniel and Maeve.

donafava's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0