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

By far one of my favorite audiobooks

Great book- the narrator did a spectacular job. I did not want it to end.

One of My Favorites

Any additional comments?

I loved this book. Hilda the alcoholic real estate agent is a real "character". She does all the wacky things alcoholics do to cover up their drinking. I haven't seen a character so well drawn in a long time. I grew up in New England and could feel the atmosphere of a small New England town. Read the other 5 star reviews and they will fill you in on what a great find this book is.

Eh

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I struggled with this book. I about gave up half-way through but the story picked up some. All in all, the story was pretty blah to me.

Would you recommend The Good House to your friends? Why or why not?

No. I read this on a recommendation and I just couldn't understand the lure.

What about Mary Beth Hurt’s performance did you like?

I liked her voice and her inflection. She captured Hildy's indignant attitude over her daughters views on her alcohol abuse in a funny way.

Was The Good House worth the listening time?

I didn't think so.

Narrator

Have just begun the book, but I love the narrator. Assuming this is the actress formerly married to William Hurt. She is so real and the book is written in the first person which adds to the reality. So far enjoying it a lot.

Great book

The narrator providing the listener a fascinating opportunity to enjoy this novel.
Hearing the author’s background information on the story is a plus
Enjoyable read

Absolutely Beautiful.

A lovely story with an uplifting feel even in the heartbreaking moments. If you like stories with heart this is it.

Surprised by how entertaining it was

I did not have any expectations going in but found this a very captivating tale and the characters believable. The humor and pathos of the alcoholic protagonist rang true to my experience. Mary Beth Hurt was a perfect Hildy.

Worth a second listen

I listened to this book in 2014 and just re-listened in 2022. I just loved it. I recently read Leary's The Children ( loved) and The Foundling ( liked), but this is my favorite of her books. While googling the author, I found that she has had a drinking problem, which makes the book a little less funny and more realistic.

It's a light read, but not too light. There is probably not enough substance for a book club discussion, unless you want to discuss drinking problems. I'd give the book four stars, but I upped it to 5 for narration and pure entertainment value. While googling the author, I found that she has had a drinking problem, which makes the book a little less funny and more realistic.

Apparently the movie will be released soon, and I can't wait to see Kevin Kline as Frankie Getchel!

Smart & funny, even when Hildy's not drinking!

I'll admit that I initially downloaded The Good House from Audible because I liked the cover and was semi-desperate for something new/possibly good to listen to, but found out that it is really a worthwhile read. Hildy Good, a 60-year-old realtor and lifelong resident of Wendover, Massachusetts, is a recovering (or not) alcoholic (or not) who narrates her story, along with the changing climate of Wendover and its inhabitants, old and new.

Hildy has recently returned from rehab, explaining to the reader that she is not really an alcoholic, it was simply due to the intervention (or "inquisition") by her mildly annoying and interfering daughters. She befriends wealthy newcomer Rebecca McAllister and they share some interesting secrets that really complicate Hildy's life. Through Hildy's eyes, we meet local psychiatrist Peter Newbold, local garbageman Frankie Getchell, and local electrician Patch Dwight, his wife Cassie, and their special needs child, Jake. Hildy excels at making acerbic, insightful, and very funny observations about her neighbors, but may not be quite as skilled at self-evaluation.

The excellent narration by Mary Beth Hurt (she is Hildy!) makes this one of those books that may be even better in audio than paper. Smart, witty, entertaining, and it made me think, all add up to a really good read.

The Good House is "Wicked Good"

What a delightful summer read! I felt like I was right in the town of Wendover with Hildy, Frankie and the rest of the characters! Mary Beth Hurt's narration was spot on...the inflections and cadence...a hoot and such fun to listen to.....The "cautionary tale" woven throughout the novel expertly done. Bravo Ann Leary, let's have more like this....