Reviews

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

lianakb's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

ashmagoffin's review against another edition

5.0

My second Ann Patchett read and I am so late to the party. The Dutch House is a family drama spanning decades, following Danny and his older sister Maeve. These are two characters who I found so compelling - intelligent and sensitive Danny who simultaneously was utterly clueless, and fierce, larger than life Maeve. It is the little details and the very human flaws that Patchett illustrates about them and her supporting characters which make this book ring sincerely true as realism. 

This book has a (partly) non-linear narrative which weaves in and out which itself is a technical marvel. In the hands of a different author this would be hard to orientate for the reader but it felt like it unfolded organically. I was fully gripped within the story, Patchett has an effortless wit and the asides throughout were thoroughly entertaining. 

I absolutely adored this book, it left me reading until the early hours of the morning, this book seems to be universally loved and this is another glowing review to add into the mix. 

littlelotto's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death of parent

rainbowfishhh's review against another edition

sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

sunflowerjess's review

slow-paced

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

2.0

I loved Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, but this book was a total miss for me. I heard rave reviews about The Dutch House, so I think it's a it's-me-not-you thing. The only character I liked was Maeve; she was the only reason I didn't DNF this one. 

skibug's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I learned to reflect and let go

thelegendofshelbi's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

bethjones95's review against another edition

2.0

I found this book really boring, so boring a wrote a review about it

mlnx's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective fast-paced

4.5

rosemwood's review against another edition

4.0

I listened to this on audio and I am so glad I did. I loved the way Tom Hanks narrated this historically Fictional story. The characters were will developed even so much to say even the Dutch House seemed to be a character in this sad story of a dysfunctional family wanting to be loved and to forgive. This is a medium paced story but I couldn't put it down.