The Dutch House
by Ann Patchett
Nominations: BookTube Longlist 2020, Carnegie Longlist 2020, Pulitzer Finalist 2020, Women's Prize Longlist 2020
Date Read: April 22, 2021
Some kids go from rags to riches but the Conroy kids, Maeve and Danny, go from riches to rags and then kind of back to riches again. With their mother having abandoned them years ago and a father largely absent and aloof, the Conroy siblings have learned to rely on one another, filling the gaps that their parents have left behind.
The Conroys live in the Dutch House, an impressive and historic mansion that their father purchased, toothbrushes, dishes and all. They literally moved into someone else’s life. Prior to this, Cyril and his wife Elna were living in a postage stamp apartment, eating beans to save money. Elna had no idea that Cyril had the money to purchase a home like the Dutch House. To add insult to injury, he never showed it to her before purchasing it, choosing instead to “surprise” her with it. While Elna was indeed surprised, she ultimately couldn’t stand the house. Responding to her inner need to serve others, Elna leaves her family behind as she travels the world, serving the poor.
Cyril begins to date Andrea and their on-again/off-again relationship eventually evolves into marriage. Andrea comes with her own two daughters and does her utmost to promote their interests above Cyril’s children. Andrea is petty, jealous and cold to Maeve and Danny.
Only upon Cyril’s sudden death by heart attack do Maeve and Danny learn the extent of Andrea’s tentacles. While Andrea is already on her own, Danny still lives with Andrea at the Dutch House but he is shockingly evicted one day. Before his death, Cyril put all of his assets into a corporation and made Andrea an equal partner. Danny and Maeve have no legal claim to any of their father’s assets.
Maeve, bitter and angry, seems to take Danny’s presence in stride and the two seem to grow even closer as they try to heal the wounds left by both parents’ absence. They seem to have a bond that few understand. Maeve never attempts to have a romantic relationship but Danny does meet and marry Celeste, a woman that Maeve cannot stand (and vice versa).
The one provision Cyril’s estate allows for is an education trust that was established for Danny and Andrea’s two daughters. Because there is no stated limit on the amount that can be spent on education, Maeve, through Danny, exacts her vengeance on Andrea. She immediately puts Danny into boarding school and determines he will go to medical school. While Danny plays along and actually completes medical school, he never wanted or intended to practice medicine.
For all the ups and downs of a challenging life, the one constant remains the Dutch House, which Maeve and Danny visit and sit outside of throughout the years. This house is so vivid it is almost its own character in this novel. When Maeve and Danny actually enter the house in an ill-conceived visit to Andrea, they realize that nothing has been changed. The house is a time capsule of their former lives.
One quote that particularly stood out for me is Elna trying to describe why she wants to care for Andrea who has drowned in dementia. She says, “You have to serve those who need to be served, not just the ones who make you feel good about yourself.” Truer words were never spoken.
Patchett is absolutely brilliant once again.
Looking Forward: Commonwealth, The Magician’s Assistant
Looking Back: Bel Canto, State Of Wonder
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