The Dutch House

1. General Impressions 

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Did you know the novel is partially based on the story of Hansel and Gretel? If so, what parts of the story reflect this fairytale connection? Does knowing about the fairytale inspiration add to your reading experience? Why or why not?
• What was your sense of the house at the heart of the narrative? Did you try to research whether it was based on a real house, or try to find images of similar houses? How often do you look details up online as you read in general?
• Have you read any other novels by Patchett? If so, how did the themes of this one compare to those in her other works? If not, have you read any other novels based on fairytale tropes? How does Patchett approach this context similarly to or differently from other authors who also use this technique?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection 

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• The novel is in many ways about obsession: Maeve and Danny cannot leave the orbit of the house that they were expelled from as young adults. Have you ever felt drawn to a place or object in the same way? What do you think inspires this kind of long-lasting preoccupation, whether positive or negative?
• Questions of inheritance and wealth can be thorny and disruptive.