The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

 

    The Dutch House tells the story of Danny and his sister Maeve who grow up in the suburbs of Philadelphia over the course of five decades. Danny is the book’s narrator. The two children are brought up in what the locals of their hometown refer to as the Dutch house. The house was obtained by their father Cyril Conroy after WW2 as a gift for his wife, but instead of a gift this house leads to ruin for those he loves. After the war their father pursues a career in real-estate renting out apartments in New York.

    This book is often referred to as a dark fairy tale, and I would have to agree that the onset of this novel shares commonality with fairy tales. At a young age Danny’s mother leaves their father to pursue other interests in life. After she leaves, Cyril takes an interest in another woman and remarries, and moves his new wife into the Dutch house with her two daughters. This new wife despises both Danny and Maeve and is determined to make their lives miserable. In this narrative we can draw various parallels with the wicked stepmother motif often found in fairy tales. This can be drawn from the way in which the stepmother views Danny and Maeve as second class citizens in their own home. After their father passes away, their stepmother wastes no time kicking Danny out of the Dutch house. With Maeve no longer a minor, Danny takes up residence with his sister.

    As the novel progresses, the two siblings learn their father has left a fund for Danny and his two stepdaughters to attend college. With Danny being the oldest of the three children, Maeve devises a plan to have Danny attend medical school to drain the fund, as a way to get revenge on their stepmother. While Danny goes along with Maeve’s plan, he is none too enthused. Instead his goal is to follow in his father’s footsteps and pursue real estate. As the book progresses we see how both of the siblings lives unfold, and while they both may have been unwelcomed in the Dutch house by their stepmother they always seem to be drawn to meeting just outside of it.

    I recommend this book if you have an interest in historical fiction taking place in the decades after WW2, with regards to family dynamics. This book may also appeal to those looking for something that feels like a fairy tale written in modern times, but with a historical context.

Goodreads – 4.11 out of 5, Amazon –  4.4 out of 5

The Promised Neverland Vol. 1, by Kaiu Shirai

 

The Promised Neverland appears to be a story about a group of happy orphans and their day to day life’s at Grace Field Orphanage. Where the only concern they have is rigorous testing. However, readers quickly learn this is not the case. Instead the book turns into a story of survival for Emma and the other children. As the story unfolds the reader learns more about Emma’s world, and what it’s going to take make it at Grace Field.

I’m currently in the middle of reading this series, and found it quite enjoyable from the first chapter. The series doesn’t take its time showing its true nature.  As mentioned above right in the first chapter the reader learns that this is a suspenseful series, and can be considered a horror manga. While I don’t want to go into details on what happens in that first chapter I would recommend this manga if you enjoy the horror genre.

This is an ongoing series, needed to be read in order, and not available at Eastpointe Memorial. However, a librarian can place a copy on hold from another library in the cooperative. This review only pertains to Vol. 1.

4.48 on Goodreads, 4.9 on Amazon

The Thursday Murder Club (Thursday Murder Club #1) by Richard Osman (2020)

 

In a beautiful retirement community, four seniors meet every Thursday in the Jigsaw Room, but they try to solve puzzles of a different sort. The Thursday Murder Club: Joyce, Ron, Ibrahim, and Elizabeth, pore over old files from cold cases, trying to figure out what the police couldn’t. Using each of their particular areas of expertise – Joyce the nurse, Ron the union man, Ibrahim the psychologist, and Elizabeth the…well Elizabeth won’t confirm or deny her previous profession, but it included a very particular set of skills- they are ready to get to the truth. When murders start happening in their community, the group decides to join forces with the local police and help them solve the crimes, whether the police want their help or not. Red herrings abound in this fun and cozy mystery, and everyone is a suspect, even the club members themselves.

The author, Richard Osman, is a British comedian and game show host. His wit makes for some absolutely delightful dialogue that rings true even in its occasional absurdity.

Fans of the movie “Red”, the TV show “Murder She Wrote”, and British humor will thoroughly enjoy this book.

The second book in the series, The Man Who Died Twice, is due to be published in September 2021.

4.02 stars on Goodreads, 4.3 stars on Amazon

I Cosmo by Carlie Sorosiak (2019) (YA)

 

“I was born a puppy. Thirteen years ago in a garage …”

As the title and book cover suggest, this book is narrated by a golden retriever named Cosmo. He is the big brother to ten-year-old human Max and four-year-old Emmaline. Cosmo’s human parents are Mom and Dad. Cosmo has a good life with his human family; his biggest concerns being the evil sheepdog down the block and his arthritic joints. The bond between Max and Cosmo will pull at your heartstrings.

When the family is away, Max leaves the TV on for Cosmo whose favorite channels are Discovery and Turner Classic Movies. His favorite movies are Grease and Singing in the Rain. Deep down Cosmo knows he has the soul of a dancer.

When Max’s parents begin to fight a lot and Dad starts sleeping on the couch, Max confides in Cosmo his concern that his parents will divorce, and the boy and his dog will end up in separate households. When Max learns of a canine freestyle dance contest, he is convinced that winning the competition will be just what is needed to remind his parents of the good times and make them stay together. Cosmo can’t deny Max anything so he is all in, regardless of the stiff joints. With the help of Uncle Reggie, the pair practice and practice until their routine is perfect.

The author, Carlie Sorosiak, must have been a dog in an earlier life. Cosmo’s behavior and thoughts are exactly what I would imagine any dog is thinking. If you have ever shared your home with a dog you will know just what I mean.

Although the book was written for the young adult audience, readers of all ages will enjoy this heart lifting story of the power of love.

4.28 stars on Goodreads, 4.8 on Amazon

This book is not available at EPL. Ask any of the reference librarians to get it for you from an area library.