It is time for another search of our TBR shelves/piles for those sadly neglected books from the past. Carole’s Random Life in Books is hosting this event.
Today I scrolled through my 2019 purchases, and found a book I bought in September that I have been meaning to read: The Dutch House, by Ann Patchett.
I don’t know why I haven’t read it yet…it is not a lengthy book. So I will commit to it…soon!
Here’s what drew me in:
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.
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What books have you been ignoring/neglecting/overlooking?
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CURL UP AND READ 
Excellent story! Enjoy (Imagine Tom Hanks telling you the story, he narrates the audio and it’s fabulous)
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Thanks, Diane, it sounds like a great one for audio.
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tom hanks telling me a story….i can go for that. this does sound like an interesting book
sherry @ fundinmental
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Unfortunately, I don’t have the audiobook of this one; I would love to hear Tom Hanks tell the story.
Thanks for visiting, Sherry.
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I’ve seen this one about and it does sound like an interesting family story. Hope you get to pick it up soon, Laurel-Rain
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Thanks, Sophia Rose, I hope to enjoy it.
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I think I may have this one on my TBR shelf too. I’ve read one of this author’s books and really enjoyed her writing. I keep meaning to read more. Isn’t that what we readers always say though? Haha.
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Oh, I know, Wendy; it is so hard to keep my focus on reading these days. I felt comfortable in blogging…but then, tonight, I tried to write a post and was forced into the WP Block Editor, which, to me, is clumsy and unworkable. Sigh.
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This is one I tried but didn’t get far but at some point i’LL have another go, maybe via audiobook.
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Thanks, Kathryn, I don’t know why I’m hesitating…I guess I am waiting for the right mood.
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I’ve seen this around and it’s on my wishlist. I’ve read good things about this. Hope you enjoy it when you get to it! 🙂
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Thanks, Czai, I’ve been meaning to read this one since I bought it!
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This sounds wonderful! I don’t think that I have actually read Ann Patchett before but she is on my list. Enjoy!
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Thanks, Carole, I enjoy her books, so I am eager to dive into this forgotten book.
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This has been on the edges of my TBR for ages but I haven’t gotten to it or even purchased a copy. I’ve heard it’s wonderful and hope you get to read it soon.
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Thanks, Katherine, I have it on my Kindle and hope to read it soon.
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