It tells the story of a brother and sister, Danny and Maeve Conroy, who grow up in a mansion known as the Dutch House, and their lives over five decades.

[4] Danny Conroy grows up in an elaborate mansion in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania known as the Dutch House, and is raised by his real estate investor father and his older sister Maeve; his mother had abandoned the family years earlier.

Danny's father Cyril is an emotionally distant man but raises his children to understand his business which involves investing in real estate and working as a landlord and property manager.

Cyril eventually introduces the children to Andrea, a much younger woman with two daughters of her own, Norma and Bright.

Two weeks later Andrea, having assured herself of the fact that her husband's property passed entirely to her, kicks Danny out of the house and fires the housekeeper and cook who have acted as surrogate mothers to the Conroy children.

An infuriated Maeve discovers that the only thing she could possibly access is a trust fund for education set up in the names of Danny, Norma and Bright.

Danny is shocked when she proposes they marry his first year of medical school and he decides not to, a decision Celeste blames on Maeve.

Shortly before he must choose his graduation plans he manages to acquire, and then immediately sell, two parking lots on a tip from his mentor.

Though Danny is financially successful Celeste grows increasingly bitter that he never used his medical degree and puts the blame for the strain of their marriage on Maeve.

They learn that she left because she felt uncomfortable living in the wealth of the Dutch House and that she has spent her subsequent years in service to the poor.

The magazine's critical summary reads: "Verdict: Endearing, if slightly sentimental, and one of Patchett's best novels to date".

"[11] Donna Seaman of Booklist praised the novel, comparing it to the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Alice McDermott, noting "Patchett is at her subtle yet shining finest.