The Dutch House

Ann Patchett is the author of The Dutch House. This novel is set in Pennsylvania and New York. The Dutch House is in Pennsylvania and that is where brother and sister, Maeve and Danny grew up. Maeve was 6 when she moved into the house with her father, Cyril, and her mother, Elna. Little brother Danny is born. Cyril loves the house. The children love the house. Elna hates the house and abandons her family when Danny is four years old. She moves to India. Within two weeks of her leaving Maeve almost dies. She is diagnosed with diabetes. The maid and cook raise the children and everything is going along well until Cyril decides to marry Andrea. Andrea moves in with her two children. There is marital tension from the beginning and Cyril finds reason to avoid being at home.  When Danny is 15 and Maeve is in college, their father dies suddenly. The tables have turned. All the money is left to Andrea. Andrea kicks Danny out of the house and now Danny and Maeve have no money. Danny moves in with Maeve. The strong bond between this brother and sister is amazing and I loved reading about them. I would highly recommend this book for someone who likes to read about families.