The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
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After World War II, Cyril Conroy acquires the Dutch House as a surprise for his wife, unaware it would be the undoing of everything he loves. Spanning five decades, the story explores the indelible bond between two siblings, the house of their childhood, and a haunting past. The Dutch House is the story of a paradise lost, a tour de force delving into questions of inheritance, love and forgiveness, and how we see ourselves. Themes: Family dynamics; finding forgiveness; architecture; the history of Pennsylvania Dutch communities; art history and the Golden Age of Dutch painting.