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A review by suvissiin
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I couldn’t figure out what to rate this book as. Somehow 4 seems too high but anything on the 3 scale too low.
All in all, the narration was very character heavy, jumping in timelines like the main character was telling me this story personally while also travelling through time. We’re experiencing Danny’s life and all the good and tragic and eveything else in between that connects in the end to the Dutch house. All the characters felt very human, having faults in their own ways. Danny especially seemed first very simple minded, and much like his dad but better, kind of a bad husband in terms of communication. But can’t tell if he just thinks like a man from mid-20th century. This book also raised very interesting questions about morality and personal justice. Was the mom in the right to leave the kids to help all the poor people in need? Do saints really have the hardest time with their families? Would it have been better if the dad hadn’t gotten the mom out of the covenant?
Personally, this was an insightful and relaxing read, especially narrated by Tom Hanks, but I did find the ending kind of bland, especially since the main character’s kids had such a small impact in the book in general. I felt like I enjoyed the read but would not say I’d recommend someone to read it.
All in all, the narration was very character heavy, jumping in timelines like the main character was telling me this story personally while also travelling through time. We’re experiencing Danny’s life and all the good and tragic and eveything else in between that connects in the end to the Dutch house. All the characters felt very human, having faults in their own ways. Danny especially seemed first very simple minded, and much like his dad but better, kind of a bad husband in terms of communication. But can’t tell if he just thinks like a man from mid-20th century. This book also raised very interesting questions about morality and personal justice. Was the mom in the right to leave the kids to help all the poor people in need? Do saints really have the hardest time with their families? Would it have been better if the dad hadn’t gotten the mom out of the covenant?
Personally, this was an insightful and relaxing read, especially narrated by Tom Hanks, but I did find the ending kind of bland, especially since the main character’s kids had such a small impact in the book in general. I felt like I enjoyed the read but would not say I’d recommend someone to read it.