The Dutch House was released in September 2019 and remains at the top of many to-be-read lists as well as coveted book club reads. The novel spans five decades and traces the turbulent lives of a brother and sister who grew up in a mansion in Pennsylvania — and the baggage that came with their upbringing.
Everything you need for a lively book club meeting — starting with book club questions to prompt a thoughtful discussion — are included below.
Table of contents
The Dutch House summary
Patchett’s novel will resonate with readers moved by the deep, loving bond between Shakespeare’s twins, Hamnet and Judith, in Hamnet.
The Dutch House is a story of emotional endurance and the beautiful relationship between a brother and sister as they navigate the journey to, and through, adulthood.
As the two siblings navigate the disintegration of their family and the loss of their beloved childhood home, the novel feels like both a modern fairy tale — there’s even a wicked stepmother — and a Victorian work of familial greed and the cruelty of circumstance.
Layered with Patchett’s signature wit and incisive descriptions, this novel was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and the audiobook is narrated by Tom Hanks.
The Dutch House book club questions
- There is a fairy tale aspect to this story — think: Cinderella meets Hansel and Gretel. What are the elements of the story that stand out to you to back up this comparison?
- The house plays such a central role in the story and represents Cyril’s (the father’s) love of buildings. Would you consider the mansion as a character in the story?
- Elna (the mother) is unhappy in the house and abandons the family to help the poor in India. Do you agree, as Maeve argues, that fathers who abandon their families to help others get away with it, whereas mothers are vilified no matter what?
- Cyril puts Andrea (the stepmother that treats the siblings horribly) in charge of his estate, and doesn’t carve out anything for Danny and Maeve upon his death. Do you think, given the time, that he acted accordingly? Or was he wrong to not ensure his children’s future?
- Would you do the same as Maeve, who used Danny’s education loophole in their trust to get back at Andrea? Why or why not?
- Do you think it was awkward for Danny and Maeve to be so obsessed with the house that they frequently sat in a car outside the house? Why do you think they continued to visit it and foster their attachment to it instead of moving on?
- How does the sense of “home” change throughout the novel? Does a physical house play a role?
- When Danny’s daughter May ultimately buys the house in the end, does that strip it of its powers, or did that happen even before the transaction?
Memorable quotes
- “We had made a fetish out of our misfortune, fallen in love with it.”
- “But we overlay the present onto the past. We look back through the lens of what we know now, so we’re not seeing it as the people we were, we’re seeing it as the people we are, and that means the past has been radically altered.”
- “Do you think it’s possible to ever see the past as it actually was?”
- “Disappointment comes from expectation.”
- “There would never have been an end to all the things I wished I’d asked my father.”
What to read for your next book club
If you liked The Dutch House, then these related titles might be a hit for your next book club pick.
1. Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
The theme of sibling bonds — in addition to messy family relationships and struggles — runs through both novels by Patchett. Each also considers the deep, intricate love that makes the sibling bond so special.
2. Burnt Sugar by Avni Doshi
Shortlisted for the Booker Prize, this novel covers the complex and often fraught relationship between a mother and daughter. Tara, the mother abandoned her baby daughter only to reappear with early onset Alzheimer’s and little recollection of the past. Memory here, like in The Dutch House, runs throughout the novel.
3. The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
Yet another novel about a dysfunctional family, The Nest is a worthy novel to read after The Dutch House. It follows four siblings who are about to receive a mid-life trust fund, but it’s put into jeopardy by one of the more irresponsible siblings.
Trivia questions for The Dutch House
Here’s a warmup round to get things started at book club, or test people’s memory at the end of an engaging discussion.
- What famous actor narrated the audiobook version of The Dutch House?
- What was the original title of the book going to be?
- In what city is author Ann Patchett’s bookstore located?
- What year did Patchett’s dog, Sparky, get married?
Answers:
- Tom Hanks
- Maeve
- Nashville
- 2014
If you’re a big Ann Patchett fan, check out this ranking of her best books.
About the Author: Sarah Sung
Sarah is the Editorial Director at Scribd who obsesses over content strategy and brand building, and has written lifestyle content for AFAR, San Francisco Chronicle, and Under Armour. In her spare time she teaches indoor cycling and consumes podcasts, audiobooks, and ebooks at all times of the day and night. Traveling and dining out are always high on her to-do list
