The Dutch House cover art

The Dutch House

A Novel

Preview
Try for $0.00
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Dutch House

Written by: Ann Patchett
Narrated by: Tom Hanks
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $31.46

Buy Now for $31.46

About this listen

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.

©2019 Ann Patchett (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers
Coming of Age Dysfunctional Relationships Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Heartfelt

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)

All stars
Most relevant  
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...

Do yourself a favour

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Loved this nook, especialy having it read by Tom Hanks. tead by Tom Hanks. The History of a house.thr imhabitants, their ups and dowms.

the Dutcj House

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Such a beautiful and calming story. It paints a wonderful, un-extrordinary story about the house and it's inhabitants. absolute joy to listen to.

Beautiful writing read by a fantastic voice

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

To listen to this story unfold in Tom Hanks’ voice. Loved the characters and the pace of the book. Highly recommend.

What a luxury...

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

The most compelling part of this story was the beautiful relationship between Danny and Maeve. I think the love between siblings is often overlooked and definitely not written about enough! Also, I could listen to Tom Hanks forever.

Wholesome and Relaxed Story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.


Enjoyed as a great opportunity to share with my spouse of 48 years.

Remarquable moving family Saga.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

This is a beautiful story. It almost feels like listening to poetry. I am so glad I listened to the book instead of reading it.

Beautiful

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Fabulous characters, surprising twists and turns, captivating, I couldn’t put it down and of course who better to narrate it than Tom Hanks

Simply beautiful

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

I had such a similar upbringing and really didn't know what the book was about so I found it great to be so relatable for me.
Narration was probably the best part. ;)

Relatable

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

what a wonderful read! Thank you Tom Hanks for adding his voice and emotion to this tale!

wondrous

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

See more reviews