Reviews with content warning for Abandonment - The Dutch House

Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

78 reviews

jeaninelynn's review

reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

I like how the plot of The Dutch House holds some surprises and suspense but for the most part feels simple. It feels like a story about mostly ordinary, although difficult, lives. This put an enjoyable emphasis on the richness of the characters and their interactions, and the unforced, genuine way Patchett writes them. I particularly liked how Patchett showed readers how the narrator’s perspective changed over time, while at the same time providing readers more insight than the narrator into how he and the people around him tended to repeat the past. Even though Patchett showed flaws in every character, she still made it possible to feel warmth and sympathy toward most of them. The story realistically showed how our past, and particularly our childhood, shapes the present and future, even when, to someone on the outside of our lives, it may seem obvious that we should move on. Patchett also effectively captured the emotional complexity of being reunited with people who caused pain that shaped our lives, and, relatedly, how our perspective on the past constantly changes with the present. I like thinking about the meaning of home and the emotions that can be attached to a building, too, so the way that homes and buildings and emotions were constantly wound up together, often with emotions being displaced from people and relationships onto buildings, was intriguing to me. Overall, the book left me with a familiar lump in my throat from a feeling that comes up so often in real life — wishing so badly that I could change the past and that things could have turned out differently, but also seeing the importance of moving forward anyway and appreciating everyone who has given love along the way.

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shannonsnell's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.75

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natalie027's review

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emotional 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

4.0

I love that this story isn't told in a linear way. It jumped around in a way that kept me captivated, but it was always crystal clear where we were in the timeline - I was never confused about what was happening, which I was impressed by. The characters all felt unique and real enough that I was invested in (and frustrated by) their choices.

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juliem2023's review

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reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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my_weird_bookish_heart's review

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challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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kmcfall's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective relaxing medium-paced

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

4.25

This book is about self-discovery and family. And also family trauma, transference, and . . . living into your true self, even in your fifth decade.

The writing is beautiful. First person narration works for this book. I love the way Patchett explored a sibling relationship that was forged by shared childhood trauma.

I loved how the Dutch House essentially became a character.

Negative critiques: Danny and Maeve's mom, Elna, did not seem like a real character to me. She was not relatable to me at all, though we finally learned why she could not live in the house. Maeve and Celeste deserved more character development, too.

I did like Elna's redemption. That was beautiful.

That said, Ann Patchett is so deft at creating tales that speak to the core of our existence, and I really loved this book!

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