The Dutch House

Ann Patchett's The Dutch House had been on my "to be read" list for I don't know how long. Then a woman from my community book club suggested it. And a few weeks later, one of my college roommates recommended the audio book narrated by Tom Hanks. I was in need of an audio book, it was available, and that was that!

Tom Hanks is a wonderful narrator. The story of the Dutch House, an estate in a suburb of Philadelphia, is told by Danny. We follow Danny after his mother leaves home for India - because she hates the Dutch House. We go along with Danny and his father as they make their Saturday rounds to collect rent and make routine repairs in buildings that Danny's father owns. We're appalled but not surprised when Danny and his sister, Maeve, are exiled from the house. Dealing with the life choices that result from this banishment and the bitter feelings that ensue is the biggest part of what this story is about.

The novel is called The Dutch House and while the estate is highly important in the development of the story, I didn't feel as though it was a character in the book. But it was really important.

The book was engaging from start to finish, and I give Tom Hanks some of the credit for that. Now I need to find something else where he's the reader!