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Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize

New York Times Bestseller | A Read with Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick | A New York Times Book Review Notable Book | TIME Magazine's 100 Must-Read Books of 2019

Named one of the Best Books of the Year by NPR, The Washington Post; O: The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, Vogue, Refinery29, and Buzzfeed

Ann Patchett, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Commonwealth, delivers her most powerful novel to date: a richly moving story that explores the indelible bond between two siblings, the house of their childhood, and a past that will not let them go. The Dutch House is the story of a paradise lost, a tour de force that digs deeply into questions of inheritance, love and forgiveness, of how we want to see ourselves and of who we really are.

At the end of the Second World War, Cyril Conroy combines luck and a single canny investment to begin an enormous real estate empire, propelling his family from poverty to enormous wealth. His first order of business is to buy the Dutch House, a lavish estate in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia. Meant as a surprise for his wife, the house sets in motion the undoing of everyone he loves.

The story is told by Cyril’s son Danny, as he and his older sister, the brilliantly acerbic and self-assured Maeve, are exiled from the house where they grew up by their stepmother. The two wealthy siblings are thrown back into the poverty their parents had escaped from and find that all they have to count on is one another. It is this unshakeable bond between them that both saves their lives and thwarts their futures.

Set over the course of five decades, The Dutch House is a dark fairy tale about two smart people who cannot overcome their past. Despite every outward sign of success, Danny and Maeve are only truly comfortable when they’re together. Throughout their lives they return to the well-worn story of what they’ve lost with humor and rage. But when at last they’re forced to confront the people who left them behind, the relationship between an indulged brother and his ever-protective sister is finally tested.

In Ann Patchett's captivating novel, "The Dutch House," we are introduced to the extraordinary story of the Conroy family and their journey through decades of triumphs, heartbreaks, and enduring connections to the titular Dutch House.

At the heart of the narrative is Danny Conroy, a young boy who witnesses the dramatic rise and fall of his family's fortunes. As Danny and his sister, Maeve, grow up in the opulent Dutch House, they witness their parents' tumultuous marriage and the unraveling of their once-promising lives.

Following a series of devastating events, Danny and Maeve find themselves separated and adrift, each trying to make sense of their fractured family and their place in a world that seems to have changed irrevocably. As they navigate the complexities of adulthood, they must confront the lingering ghosts of the past and the enduring legacy of the Dutch House.

"The Dutch House" is a poignant and richly detailed exploration of family, loss, and the enduring power of love. With her signature prose, Ann Patchett paints a vivid portrait of a family in flux, capturing the complexities of human relationships and the lasting impact of the places we call home.

Throughout the novel, Patchett delves into themes of wealth, privilege, and the corrosive effects of greed. She also explores the ways in which our childhood experiences shape who we become as adults. "The Dutch House" is a story that lingers long after the final page is turned, inviting readers to reflect on the intricate dynamics of family and the enduring power of human connection.