Ann Patchett’s The Dutch House takes place post WWII. Two siblings, Danny & Maeve Conroy face life together through thick & thin, poverty & wealth. Their father, Cyril Conroy, becomes wealthy through real estate and buys the Dutch House, a lavish estate outside of Philadelphia.
Difficulty arises when Elva Conroy, Danny & Maeve’s mother, doesn’t like the old house and leaves. Her husband and children are left behind. We don’t know where she went. Divorce papers are served to Cyril, and following that he meets and marries Andrea, a woman who could be likened to an evil stepmother.
There are twists and turns that occur throughout the book, and to tell you more would risk spoiling this amazing story for you. I listened to the audiobook with Tom Hanks as the narrator. His performance, undoubtedly, was superb. The way he conveys the love Danny & Maeve had for each other is heart-warming.
NUGGET RECEIVED:
Love your family now, and don’t take one day of your life for granted.
Careyloves 