The Good House

A Novel

By: Ann Leary

Narrated by: Mary Beth Hurt

Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

The Good House, by Ann Leary, is funny, poignant, and terrifying. A classic New England tale that lays bare the secrets of one little town, this spirited novel will stay with you long after the story has ended.

Now a major motion picture starring Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline!

Hildy Good is a townie. A lifelong resident of a small community on the rocky coast of Boston's North Shore, she knows pretty much everything about everyone. And she's good at lots of things, too. A successful real-estate broker, mother, and grandmother, her days are full. But her nights have become lonely ever since her daughters, convinced their mother was drinking too much, sent her off to rehab. Now she's in recovery—more or less.

Alone and feeling unjustly persecuted, Hildy finds a friend in Rebecca McAllister, one of the town's wealthy newcomers. Rebecca is grateful for the friendship and Hildy feels like a person of the world again, as she and Rebecca escape their worries with some harmless gossip and a bottle of wine by the fire—just one of their secrets.

But Rebecca is herself the subject of town gossip. When Frank Getchell, an old friend who shares a complicated history with Hildy, tries to warn her away from Rebecca, Hildy attempts to protect her friend from a potential scandal. Soon, however, Hildy is busy trying to protect her own reputation. When a cluster of secrets becomes dangerously entwined, the reckless behavior of one person threatens to expose the other, and this darkly comic novel takes a chilling turn.

©2012 Ann Leary (P)2013 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Both Hildy's denial and her vulnerability are dramatized extremely well by narrator Mary Beth Hurt. Hurt deftly portrays Hildy's tendency to hide her alcoholism under a veneer of polished perfection; she's a woman who can deal with anyone's problems but her own. As the novel continues, the listener feels the pain of Hildy's breakdown and relapse in Hurt's Delivery, so well does she depict Leary's beautifully plotted story.” —AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award winner

“The Good House is told in first person, which makes it an ideal audiobook – especially in the hands of reader Mary Beth Hurt, who simultaneously portrays Hildy as smart, funny, prickly, sympathetic and – well, pathetic.” —The Star-Ledger

“Mary Beth Hurt does a fantastic job bringing Hildy to life vocally in all her facets…The author is talented and the reader adept; they have created a comprehensively compelling audio experience.” —New World Review

The Good House

Wonderful story of a woman of a certain age battling denial of her alcoholism. The story is colored with wonderful characters in an old New England Coastal town and how they are all connected

Didn't know whether to laugh or cry

I really enjoyed this book with a cross between hilarity and pity at our Hildy. Great progression of the description of the disease. Light heartened in many respects but quickly brings you back to the ravages of the addiction and the tricks the mind can play. Really well done.

Wonderful

What did you love best about The Good House?

I simply loved the story and Mary Beth Hurt

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Good House?

The sarcasm from a realtor. I've experienced some of the same moments.

Which scene was your favorite?

Hiding in the cellar

If you could rename The Good House, what would you call it?

Wouldn't change it

Great character study

If you could sum up The Good House in three words, what would they be?

Character in denial

Would you be willing to try another book from Ann Leary? Why or why not?

Yes,

What does Mary Beth Hurt bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She has a wonderfully superior POV

Who was the most memorable character of The Good House and why?

Hildy, of course

Any additional comments?

Twists and turns are not the point. It is a study of the rationalization of an alcoholic in denial and for a long time we take that ride with her. That is a gift as a writer, to take me there!

Really Good

I loved this book. The characters are rich in personality and easy to embrace. The narrator does an excellent job.

Amazing Narrator!!!

This is the best narrator I’ve ever listened to and she made the book a masterpiece. Seriously, whatever she’s getting paid isn’t enough. And I’ve listened to a ton of audiobooks.
As for the story, there was enough richness to most of the characters to keep me wondering how it will end. Very enjoyable.

Wonderful narration!

Brilliant story-
Loved every minute
Of Hildy’s realization

Loved Frank- his under the radar charater is wonderfully revealed

This is a classic New England Townie story

I really loved Hildie and Frank's story. As a North Shore Townie myself this story was spot on!
There were many laugh out loud moments as well as really sad moments where you understood Hildie's loneliness.
This book was wonderful and leaves the reader wanting more!
Part 2 please!

Inner view of alcohol

I am grateful that I I have not experienced addiction. I appreciate and am grateful for this and realize the luck. Had I known the subject I would have skipped it.

Hildy being involved in many families

I enjoyed this book very much, it isn’t the type by generally listen to.
I will probably listen to more by the author