I was able to finish this book in two days due to the scathing hot temperatures outside that allowed me to stay indoors and read.
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| The Dutch House |
The Dutch House, a novel by Ann Patchett, September 24, 2019, Harper
Genre: family drama, domestic drama, fiction
The plight of two children, Danny and Maeve, grabbed me from the beginning - the story of a sister and her young brother whose mother disappeared from their gilded mansion in the Philadelphia suburbs and left them and their father in the care of a cook, a nursemaid, and a housekeeper.
The house in which they lived, called the Dutch house because of the previous owners, seems to be the center of the novel. The Dutch house is a large impressive mansion bought by the father, Cyril, for his family, but its opulence and size overwhelmed the mother, Elna, so much that she deserted it along with her husband and children. The house is later taken over by a stepmother, Andrea, who loves the house but not the children, Danny and Maeve. She banishes them from their home after Cyril's sudden death, leaving them impoverished and alone.
The house and their past family life continue to influence Maeve and Danny as they make their own future without the benefit of their father's house or fortune.
Intense and forceful, the story narrated by Danny, held on to me till the very end. The characters Elna and the stepmother Andrea are two opposites, distinct in their response to and relationship to the Dutch house.
A five-star recommendation. This was an ebook borrowed through NetGalley.
Two new books:
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| The Butterfly Girl |
The Butterfly Girl by Rene Denfeld, October 1, 2019, Harper
Genre: thriller, suspense
An investigator tracks down a missing girl. Setting: Portland, Oregon
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| The House of Brides |
The House of Brides by Jane Cockram, October 22, 2019, Harper
Genre: psychological suspense
A young woman flees to a family estate in England, but finds not safety, but only danger, there.
Memes:
The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. Also, It's Monday: What Are You Reading, and the Sunday Salon, Mailbox Monday.
I love Ann Patchett, but I had no idea that she had a new book out. This sounds like a story I'm very interested in reading. I'm fascinated with stories about parents who have difficulty caring for their children. I will look for this one.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you are struggling with the heat. I've been perfectly content with our typical-for-this-time-of-year temps in the low 90's but yesterday I felt like there was a blanket laying over my town and the sun had gotten trapped under the blanket. It was oppressive. I felt like I couldn't breathe. We are supposed to be getting in some rain this week, so hopefully that will drive off this heat.
Have a good week.
I’m not sure that The Dutch House is for me, but I’m glad you enjoyed it so much,
ReplyDeleteI hope the weather cools for you soon, it’s still pretty chilly here being it’s mid winter, but we just bought a sheepskin mattress topper and it’s keeping us toasty warm in bed, just a shame I have to leave it each morning LOL
Have a great reading week
I hope you enjoy your new books and have a lovely week!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to stay in and read sometimes when it's this hot out. We've had pretty high temps too, although the humidity is the worst. Hope you have a nice week!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love Ann Pratchett's books. I am adding The Dutch House after I finish with this comment. Keep as cool as you can. My Sunday Salon
ReplyDeleteAll new to me. Happy Reading!
ReplyDeleteGlad you loved the new Patchet!
ReplyDeleteI love the cover of The Dutch House and am glad to see the book is so good. Your new books look great!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear that you liked The Dutch House so much. I love Ann Patchett and am looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to the Butterfly Girl.
ReplyDeleteThe Butterfly Girl is on my TBR too. I'll also look for the new Ann Patchett, I've liked her other novels.
ReplyDeletehttps://wendimlee.blogspot.com/2019/07/its-monday-what-are-you-reading_22.html
These sound good. I hadn't heard of any of them before. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteAll your books look tempting. My weekly updates
ReplyDeleteYour books look good, and I want to read the new Ann Patchett.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your week.
I keep contemplating about THE BUTTERFLY GIRL. I hope you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI downloaded HOUSE OF BRIDES a few weeks ago....it sounds good.
THE DUTCH HOUSE is another book I keep contemplating about. :) Sounds good...nice review...thanks.
Hope you are having a good week.