The Dutch House attempts to make the house in the novel into a focal character like entity. This non-linear family saga uses the house as a metaphor for their “troubles”. Brother and sister are abandoned by their mother and are subjected to an evil step-mother. There was some lovely writing and characters are somewhat developed. But much of it is flat and emotionless. This is a number one best-seller head scratcher to me.

Ann Patchett on The Dutch House – YouTube

Ann Patchett – Wikipedia