The Dutch House - Book Review

An audiobook narrated by Tom Hanks? Sign me up! If you told me Tom Hanks was reading the economics section of the newspaper, I'd pull up a chair and fight for front seat. Nothing the man ever does could bore me or not bring stars to my eyes! I listened to this audiobook the whole time, playing it out like a movie in my mind, with Tom Hanks ofcourse, as the lead. I am forever in love with him and because of this, I cannot tell you if I truly loved the book or if I just love Tom Hanks a little too much.

'The Dutch House by Ann Patchett' is a story of a family and a house. It is well written, keeping the reader interested in the long, transcending story which in some ways also stood still in time, urging one to come back to the book every chance you get because the grand house, the siblings, the people who work for them/with them, their stories everything engulfs you. The novel primarily revolves around Maeve and Danny Conroys, or as in my version Tom Hanks (playing Danny Conroy) with intermittent appearances from others. The house is its own lead character in the story always there, forever lingering in all the conversations and quietly playing the backdrop throughout the book. It was a long but mostly light read, which I think hit the right spot for me. I fully loved Maeve Conroy and found myself agreeing with Danny on everything. Some lines in the book made me hit pause and rewind just so I could re-listen and absorb the beautiful writing. Great read!