Listen free for 30 days
Listen with offer
-
The Dutch House
- Narrated by: Tom Hanks
- Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
£0.00 for first 30 days
The Dutch House
Buy Now for £12.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Summary
Bloomsbury presents The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, read by Tom Hanks.
Next, dive into TOM LAKE – the breath-taking newest novel from Ann Patchett
Lose yourself in the story of a lifetime – the unforgettable Sunday Times bestseller
‘Patchett leads us to a truth that feels like life rather than literature’ Guardian
Nominated for the Women’s Prize 2020
A STORY OF TWO SIBLINGS, THEIR CHILDHOOD HOME, AND A PAST THAT THEY CAN’T LET GO.
Like swallows, like salmon, we were the helpless captives of our migratory patterns. We pretended that what we had lost was the house, not our mother, not our father. We pretended that what we had lost had been taken from us by the person who still lived inside.
In the economic boom following the Second World War, Cyril Conroy's real estate investments take his family from poverty to enormous wealth. With it he buys the Dutch House, a lavish mansion in the Philadelphia suburbs. Meant as a surprise for his wife, the house sets in motion the undoing of everyone he loves.
Danny Conroy grows up in the opulence of the Dutch House. Though his father is distant and his mother is absent, Danny has his beloved sister Maeve: Maeve, with her wall of black hair, her wit, her brilliance. The siblings grow and change as life plays out under the watchful eyes of the house’s former owners, in the frames of their oil paintings.
Then one day their father brings home Andrea, a new stepmother. Though they cannot know it, her arrival to the Dutch House sows the seed of the defining loss of Danny and Maeve’s lives: exiled from the house and tossed back into the poverty from which their family rose, Danny and Maeve have only each other to count on.
‘The best book I’ve read in years’ Rosamund Lupton
‘Her finest novel yet’ Sunday Times
‘The buzz around The Dutch House is totally justified. Her best yet, which is saying something’ John Boyne
‘A masterpiece’ Cathy Rentzenbrink
‘Bliss’ Nigella Lawson
Listeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about The Dutch House
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sigrin
- 28-02-20
Dysfunctional family
This was a recommendation from a friend and I was a little apprehensive after reading the summary.
It did not disappoint and was. Beautifully written book about a brother end sisters love for each other through what life had thrown at them.
The book spend many years but durs not get boring. The writing was quite poetic in parts but equally not superfluous on real detail.
Tom Hanks as the narrator was an added bonus.
Would recommend.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bridget Whelan
- 02-09-20
My book of the year: doubt anything will better it
The fact that Tom Hanks was the narrator was a recommendation in itself as I presume he can be very choosy about the projects with which he is involved. The Dutch House is about a dysfunctional family that spans 30/40 years and includes an absent mother, a less than perceptive father and the non-melding of two families when a step mother arrives plus an extraordinary house. But saying that doesn't really tell you what lies at the heart of the story - forgiveness, and how to learn how to forgive. The story is told from the point of view of the younger brother but it is the women characters that are the most important. They are the ones who make decisions, make mistakes, do things which seem unforgivable and are also the ones who are the first learn how to forgive and let go. There's no big drama: When people die it is from natural causes. When they are cruel is because of selfishness or the simple inability to see...our own everyday sins. I loved it - my book of the year so far and I doubt if anything will knock it off its perch.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- goodbookreader2901
- 09-01-20
Superlative!
It does help that the narration is excellent- Tom Hanks’ voice has the perfect timbre and tone, reflecting the pace and emotion of this brilliant book. Notwithstanding, the book is incredible. Engaging, moving and it’s characters so real and sympathetic that you love them as your own family. A true family epic story. Unmissable!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Paula R
- 27-10-20
Read this book!
Tom Hanks is the perfect narrator for this story. It's well written, with interesting sympathetic characters. There was plenty to discuss for our book group. Loved it, and will look for other Anne Patchett books
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Martina S H
- 24-02-20
Tom Hanks!
One of those books were the story is good and made even better by the narrator!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Pia M Choudhury
- 24-04-21
Quite perfect story of loss
Relatable characters, beautifully voiced through Danny via one superb Tom Hanks. Simple story of family relationships and loss and the energy we can give to a thing - or house. Miss them all now I’ve finished the book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 01-11-20
Life will eventually tell it's own story
The narrator Tom Hanks I thought might spoil this reading because he is so well known for his roles but I was so wrong. This is a beautifully written story that you could believe is his.. there are no huge ups and downs in this, you follow the brother and sister resolving ,in their lives, their feelings regarding the titles Dutch House I loved this gentle sensitive book and would recommend it to anyone
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- DD.
- 09-08-20
Emotional Journey
I think I could listen to Tom Hanks recite a chemistry text book...
The story was engaging, funny, without being comedic, heartbreaking, unjust, full of love...
We listened on our 13hr journey home from Hamburg, we cried, we discussed, we enjoyed.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 24-01-20
Ann Patchett's best
Great storytelling, characters and writing (took a while to get going...).
Ann Patchett's best work. Faultless narration too.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- sabreen
- 01-12-19
Tom hanks' voice is ❤️
Beautifully written and read. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story flows beautifully and you can visualize the scenes.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!