A review by nzlisam
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

5.0

Haunting, innovative and poignant, The Dutch House demonstrates compassion and understanding.

Sister and brother, Maeve and Danny Conroy grew up in The Dutch House.

Their mother left when they were small, sneaking away from The Dutch House in the middle of the night.

A few years later, their father brings Andrea (their future stepmother), along with her two young daughters to live in The Dutch House.

When their father dies, their evil stepmother banishes them from The Dutch House, to fend for themselves, alone and penniless.

But, no matter how far they travel, or how many years pass, Maeve and Danny just can’t let go of The Dutch House.

An epic generational saga of family dysfunction, neglect, abandonment, stolen inheritance, and a troubled relationship between siblings. Maeve and Danny’s impenetrable unbreakable bond was warm, supportive, and loving in some respects, and I was sympathetic to their plight. However, it was also unhealthy and destructive, capable of sabotaging and undermining any other relationship they had, or formed, and tended to be controlling, co-dependent, and demanding. Furthermore, their inability to come to terms with their past invaded every facet of their lives and affected every decision.

The story was influenced by both fairy tale and folklore. There were references or similarities to Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, and the Nutcracker ballet, among others. The Dutch House – named after the nationality of its original owner’s the VanHoebeeks (whose portraits were on prominent display above the fireplace) – was a character in itself and took on a eerie, ever-present life of its own. The three-storey mansion, built in the 1920’s, was grand, imposing, sprawling, and contained a cellar, attic, multiple bedrooms, and even a ballroom, and let’s face it, you can’t get more fairy tale than that? Danny always referred to it by its title, never just house or home.

Our sole POV was a middle-aged Danny (first person) reflecting back on his childhood and early adult years and how they shaped the man he became in his late forties/early fifties. The story opened in 1956 when Danny was eight (Maeve fifteen) with the arrival of Andrea into their lives, stepping across the threshold of The Dutch House for the first time. Events encompass the next fifty years, somewhat chronologically, but also contained flashbacks and flash forwards smack bang in the middle of any given chapter. Meaning, there were one or two occasions where I had to remind myself what stage of life Danny was narrating from. But, Ann Patchett, did include little reminders which got me back on track, so all good.

The book art, the painting of 12-year-old Maeve in her Red Riding Hood coat is probably my favourite cover of all time. I just can’t stop staring at it! Mesmerising!

The Dutch House was a sensational novel that entertained, informed and amused. Deserves pride of place on your bookshelf.