The Dutch House by Ann Patchett confirms that she writes beautiful stories. The writing is gorgeous. For me, however, the story is less so.
Maeve and Danny’s story revolves around their childhood home, The Dutch House. In fact, the house is such a large part of the story that it essentially becomes a character unto itself. Unfortunately, I do not feel that sense of nostalgia about former homes and therefore could not commiserate with Maeve and Danny as they obsess with their loss. I don’t fault them their feelings but without this connection, The Dutch House loses a bit of its strength.
In fact, Maeve and Danny do have a tragic childhood, the explanation of which is the key to the story. However, they become successful adults because of what happened rather than despite it. Also, their relationship becomes even stronger because of what happens. So, as much as they mourn the loss of their family home, it becomes a blessing rather than a curse.
Watching Danny grown and discover his strengths and desires, as told through Ms. Patchett’s almost poetic writing, makes reading The Dutch House worthwhile. Unfortunately, without my own ability to understand that connection to a house, the story is sad and slightly pathetic. However, for those readers who see a house as more than a building, The Dutch House is another great example of Ms. Patchett’s work.

I do consider the house in this book to be its own character so I could see the lure. However, what horrible mother figures! The actual mother for abandoning her kids and the step who could care less about anyone. It was hard for me to believe that Maeve could forgive her mother for her abandonment but it’s a tragic tale and with tragedy there is heartache and anger and if you are lucky, closure. I loved it.
I really struggled with everything about this book other than Danny and Maeve and their relationship to each other. The mothers are awful. I never got the obsession with the house. I just wanted them to move on with their lives and make them successes in spite of the stepmother.