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The Dutch House
- A Novel
- Narrated by: Tom Hanks
- Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
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Publisher's Summary
Audiobook performed by Tom Hanks.
New York Times best seller | A Read with Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick | A New York Times Book Review Notable Book | Time Magazine's 100 Must-Read Books of 2019 | 2020 Audie finalist - audiobook of the year and best male narrator
Named one of the Best Books of the Year by NPR, The Washington Post; O: The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, Vogue, Refinery29, and Buzzfeed
Ann Patchett, the number-one New York Times best-selling author of Commonwealth, delivers her most powerful novel to date: a richly moving story that explores the indelible bond between two siblings, the house of their childhood, and a past that will not let them go. The Dutch House is the story of a paradise lost, a tour de force that digs deeply into questions of inheritance, love, and forgiveness, of how we want to see ourselves, and of who we really are.
At the end of the Second World War, Cyril Conroy combines luck and a single canny investment to begin an enormous real estate empire, propelling his family from poverty to enormous wealth. His first order of business is to buy the Dutch House, a lavish estate in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia. Meant as a surprise for his wife, the house sets in motion the undoing of everyone he loves.
The story is told by Cyril’s son Danny, as he and his older sister, the brilliantly acerbic and self-assured Maeve, are exiled from the house where they grew up by their stepmother. The two wealthy siblings are thrown back into the poverty their parents had escaped from and find that all they have to count on is one another. It is this unshakable bond between them that both saves their lives and thwarts their futures.
Set over the course of five decades, The Dutch House is a dark fairy tale about two smart people who cannot overcome their past. Despite every outward sign of success, Danny and Maeve are only truly comfortable when they’re together. Throughout their lives, they return to the well-worn story of what they’ve lost with humor and rage. But when at last they’re forced to confront the people who left them behind, the relationship between an indulged brother and his ever-protective sister is finally tested.
What the critics say
"Tom Hanks narrates this novel about Danny and Maeve, and their beloved childhood home, The Dutch House, with a restraint that admirably captures the writing's surface calm and buried tension.... Hanks takes his narrative cue from Danny, who tells the story in a mix of bemusement, wonder, and nostalgia. It's not a dramatic performance but is, instead, a sensitive and warm reading of a fine novel about love, loyalty, redemption, forgiveness, and what we will do to make the world the way we want it to be." (AudioFile Magazine)
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What listeners say about The Dutch House
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Anonymous User
- 2019-10-14
My heart could just burst!!!!
If you are scrolling through the reviews deciding if you want to use a credit for this novel, I’m telling you now this story is worth 3 credits.
It will be the book I give all my friends this Christmas.
I hope you love it like I have!! Xx
32 people found this helpful
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- BDC
- 2019-10-13
Such a well written and developed story
I grew to love these characters, all of them, even the evil step mother at the end. Maeve and Danny are the main characters, the story starts with them as children in a wondrous architectural marvel of a house - The Dutch House, named for the wealthy Dutch family that designed and built it. The house ultimately holds all the secrets to this family's undoing, it affects every person differently, not in any mystical way, just because of its opulence and lavish appeal. Not everyone sees it the same or feels the same. Maeve is a strong and loyal sister to Danny but a force not many others can handle. Danny clings to Maeve like a life raft but starts to find his own way. It's so well written and descriptive, I felt very connected to the characters, right down to what they might wear. A lot of sadness throughout that affects you as the reader, right to your core because is relatable sadness - divorce, illness, broken relationships, generational apathy.
I wasn't sure I would like Tom Hanks as the single narrator but he has found a way to the top of my list of narrators. It is a pleasure to listen to. I genuinely hope he narrates more.
23 people found this helpful
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- Leslie J.
- 2019-09-25
It felt like Ann wrote this story for Tom Hanks to read!
I love Ann Patchett’s writing and I was waiting for this novel. I bought it yesterday and just finished listening! I was pleased to realize Tom Hanks was the narrator and he did a wonderful job! I feel sorry for anyone who reads this book the conventional; way he was that good. I could tell that he really enjoyed reading it and I think he must be an admirer of Ann’s. As he should be!!!
16 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 2019-10-30
Disappointed
I waited and waited for a climax or a plot twist... it was just a story about a brother a sister and a house. It was underwhelming. Hopefully I can return it and get my credit back. Tom Hanks is a good narrator.
10 people found this helpful
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- heather
- 2020-01-14
Did not finish!
So my review is based on listening to the audio book for 3 hours. I love Tom Hanks and he did a great job but I just found the story boring and when I thought it should be wrapping up I realized there were still 6 hours of audio left and I just couldn’t do it!
6 people found this helpful
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- Tanya D
- 2020-04-15
Tom Hanks can read me anything...
Totally picked this up because of Tom Hanks. He can read me ANYTHING. God, his voice is amazing! Like, read me this weeks Specials from the grocery store. I am ALL ears.
The story was a mesmerizing character study and I love those books on principle. Ann Patchett has a way with words and the nuances of the human condition. She sure knows how to paint a picture. I didn't find it, overall, to be deeply connecting or resonating, but it was a good story nonetheless.
3 people found this helpful
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- Margaret
- 2019-11-01
loved every minute
Ann has such a wonderful imagination. Tom Hanks was perfect. I highly recommend this book.
3 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 2019-10-28
Do yourself a favour
It's been a long time since I loved a book.
Honestly I think Tom Hanks' performance on this one really makes it. The story is really not about the house but all the people in it. Love, forgiveness, understanding, and identity are underlying themes in a story told by the brilliant Hanx.
I could visualize the whole story. It wasn't long winded. Every detail mattered. Bravo!
Ive finished today and I don't think I'll stop thinking about this for a while...
5 people found this helpful
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- Penny Kavanagh
- 2021-04-03
GOOD BOOK BUT WHY TOM HANKS!!
Love Tom for movies but not for narration. Story interesting but I couldn't get the most out of it because of Tom's narration.
1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 2020-06-18
Wished it wouldn't end! Loved it!
Loved every single line. Fell in love with the characters....a realistic account of lives intertwined around childhood memories and the realities of life. Hank's narration was superb.
1 person found this helpful
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- Regina
- 2019-12-07
Not my favorite Patchett
I waited a week after finishing this one to write a review. I wanted some distance to see how I felt about it after thinking about it. But I didn't think about it at all; making this a forgettable story. I have enjoyed several previous Ann Patchett novels but wouldn't put this in the same class as Bel Canto, Commonwealth or State of Wonder. I world rank it below Run.
While I love Tom Hanks as an actor and think he melds into his characters to the point you forget it's Tom Hanks, the exact opposite is true here. You never, for a second, forget it's Tom Hanks. And he adds an odd snarky monotone to Maeve and Danny making them less likable than written.
148 people found this helpful
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- Wendy Sinclair
- 2020-01-17
Mixed reviews
This is my first Ann Patchett book. It was overall a good reading experience, but I expected more. The characters and the writing were great (except one thing I'll mention later) The beginning of the story hooked me and I wondered what the characters were going to strive for, what wonderful obstacles they were going to overcome to fulfill their goals. I was set up for a wonderful plot.
I do have to say, I liked the narration. Tom Hanks did a wonderful job.
As I read my way through the book I like Maeve and Danny and really all the characters I was supposed to like and disliked those I was supposed to dislike. I will say that I had hoped Danny would become a stronger character in many ways. He seems to get pushed into doing things he doesnt want to do and just kind of floats through a lot of the story. He does eventually get the career he wants, but because of how many decades the book covers, I never really connect with the success of it.
About a third of the way into the story,, I thought the book was over. Everything seemed to be tied up and there was really no plot left. I continued to read (or listen, lol) because the writing was still very good but the characters had nothing to do but get older. There were areas where I still saw potential for the characters to have a goal and accomplish it, but nothing was ever put that way. It didnt allow the character to strive-overcome-and enjoy. Most things in the story just happened to the characters. They weren't the author of their stories. Danny's indifference,to most things, bothered me. I liked him, his love and dedication to his sister, but the just floated through circumstance and was indifferent to big things which was a huge character flaw especially within the main character.
The story continued to lose direction as it went on. I struggled with "what is the author trying to convey, what is the message she wants to leave me with," and I never found the answer to my question.
The writing was compelling and I read until the end, but there were times I was bored and many times I felt like I was reading an aimless account. The book could have ended a little after the half-way mark and might have made more sense. I
I think there are many positive elements to this story. I dont want to take away from that. From other reviews, I can see I am mostly alone in my opinion, but I felt I needed to share my honest thoughts.
I would read another book by this author because the writing is so good, but if all the stories fall flat like this one, I may only invest my time into one more. If less time had passed in the story, I think the author could have brought out more in the characters and maybe gave more of a direction to the last third of the book.
127 people found this helpful
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- Tara Saunders
- 2020-01-27
Kept waiting...
Very well written and of course the narrator’s voice made the book. It grabbed my interest at the beginning so I kept on waiting and waiting for something more to happen. But it never really did. I wanted this book to be so much more.
73 people found this helpful
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- Penny Mann
- 2019-09-25
Tom Hanks Should Read Every Book
Turns out there is only one way to make a Patchett book even better - have Tom Hanks read it. Wonderful story, endearing in and of itself... made more alive with the mastery of Hanks’ delivery.
156 people found this helpful
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- RobinJanice
- 2019-09-26
Magnificent
Tom Hanks’ narration takes this beautiful story to the next level. I honestly don’t know what I’m going to download next as this has spoiled me....
114 people found this helpful
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- teaman
- 2019-09-26
Amazing
I listened in one sitting. One of my favorite authors, narrated by one of the best living actors. How can you go wrong?
87 people found this helpful
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- J A Darby
- 2019-09-25
Easy listening
This is the perfect story for Tom Hank's voice. can not image anyone else doing it. Found this to be a well paced story with interesting people. Highly recommended.
89 people found this helpful
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- Lillian Holsenback
- 2019-10-04
Great story, awesome narrator
Thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Very well written and a captivating story. The narrator, Tom Hanks, brought this story to life and kept my attention even through the slower moments.
69 people found this helpful
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- Robert
- 2019-10-03
Wonderful listen
The book was moving. The reading warm and comforting.
Great novel. I’m going to read the novel now and simply enjoy it once again.
68 people found this helpful
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- Colleen
- 2019-10-06
Excellent!
I just spent a few days with Tom Hanks and he read me this great story. I always wanted a younger brother and now I wish he was it, or at least the character of Danny was it! This was an excellent story, one that I hated to see end.
81 people found this helpful
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- Karine
- 2021-08-24
amazing
I couldn't stop listening to it. interesting writing. it takes you to another world.
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- Isabelle
- 2021-04-05
wonderful
Beautifully read by Tom Hanks. Great story of family dynamics. Characters that pulled me into their lives. Highly recommended.
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- JULIE DUBOST
- 2021-03-08
Great story- amazing narrator
This beautiful story comes to life thanka to the amazing talent of Tom Hanks. Loved every second of it- highly recommend
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- Helen S.
- 2021-01-14
Outstanding!
An outstanding novel. Well written and Tom Hanks' reading is exceptionally good. I strongly recommend listening to it!
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- Ashleigh Cozens
- 2020-11-26
Loved it!
I loved everything about this book. Tom Hanks was one of the best narrators I have listened to. I didn't have any expectations when I started this book, and I was sad to hear it end. 5 stars!!
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- Client d'Amazon
- 2020-08-14
A little bit boring
This story of an US family after the second world war stretches along 5 décades with too little action, too little surprise. An awful stepmother which likes the money more than the humans, a son and a daughter working hard to survive but never getting over their past. Only at the end of the novel, when the mother reappears, we really enjoy the Whirlpool of the characters.
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- loklara
- 2020-07-11
great book
I laughed out loud, I cried... this was a great book and Tom Hanks did a wonderful job reading it
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- Sarita
- 2020-06-19
a beautifully told story
This was the first Ann Patchett book I listened to. Finished in 3 days (could have finished earlier but I was working). Wonderful to listen to, great insights expressed so well that it was almost overwhelming in a positive way. I had push the pause button so I could repeat them in my head with a smile. The plot is already very interesting and exciting and beautiful. But the writing is so good, you just enjoy the words, the expressions. The book inspired me listen to a couple of other books by the author. Last but not least, Tom Hanks is perfect as narrator. I loved his understated performance and I am certain he had a lot to do with my admiration for this book. I recommend it 100%. By the way, this is my first Audible book review ever.
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- deborah maurice
- 2020-05-14
Astonishing book
I could not turn this story off. I just listened and listened and entered into the world of the Dutch House and all the storiesof these amzingly well drawn characters;
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- Jelena
- 2020-04-25
Tom Hanks is perfect!
I almost could see a movie with Tom Hanks before my eyes while listening... the pure joy!