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

Small Town Complications Galore

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

Everybody.Has.Secrets.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the unexpected friendships/alliances that formed along the way.

Have you listened to any of Mary Beth Hurt’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me think -- about people who are high functioning alcoholics. I didn't laugh or cry, but I found myself picking sides when different characters quarreled.

Any additional comments?

Good book. I'd definitely recommend.

Wonderful characters populate a great story.

What did you love best about The Good House?

The characters, particularly Hildy, exhibit legitimate emotions and are very relatable.

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

The ending - I didn't see that coming.

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

Mary Beth Hurt is the best narrator I've ever listened to! Awesome job! She brought Hildy to vivid life. I doubt that I would have appreciated the humor in that character without the brilliant narration.

surprisingly good

I haven't read many books that are from a perspective of an older woman talking about her life, and the lives of others around her. I really enjoyed the main character.

She's a drunk, a bitch!... can't help but luv her

The book is a confessional, the woman confessing a hard-working, self-made success; and also a very sad self-hating drunk who is on the edge of destruction. Her narration is so smart and frank, so insightful when it comes to other people, but not herself! She is hilariously sarcastic describing the inhabitants of her little burg (I admit, I'm from NY, I love that!). I would love to have a couple of margaritas with this woman! Except, of course, she can't stop at a couple.....
This woman displays some ugly behaviors. I loved her anyway. She develops a wonderful relationship in the end with another character who has some yucky flaws, but, again, I just loved him. Credit the author. Wonderful story, admirably written. I will definitely revisit this one.

Great story!

Loved Hildy, what a great character! i will watch for other books by this author.

Absolutely my favorite audio book so far!

What made the experience of listening to The Good House the most enjoyable?

The fact that this book is based exactly where I live made it absolutely fascinating to listen to. It also has quite a few equestrian components to it, which I wasn't aware of when I purchased it. Since I own a horse and live in the same area, this book was very pleasurable for me to listen to. Furthermore, the narrator is fantastic! Just perfect in every way. I could listen to her (a/k/a Hilde) over and over again and I will probably listen to this book again!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hilde is awesome.

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

I liked her inflections and tone. I also like the way she did Frank's voice and her grandson and daughters. Absolutely hilarious at times.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I just love this book. I will definitely listen to it again.

Any additional comments?

Definitely buy this one. You won't be disappointed; especially if you live on the North Shore of Boston!

great reader

the great reader really brought the story to life with her voices. very enjoyable story

I loved Hildy Good!

This was such an indulgent and entertaining read. I loved every minute of it. She was such a great character and loved how the book took some turns you weren't expecting.

Stays with you well after the read is over

I remember listening to a piece of the story on the way to work and looking forward to hearing the next segment on the way home. So much of the story is relatable to anyone who has been a part of a New England town with a scandal or two. There is mystery, addiction, love and drama. A send a huge shout out to the narrator who sounds like the Angela Lansbury in Murder She Wrote.

Do you know where the bodies are?

The title caught my eye. The location was familar to me. The dark humor and insight into the rationalization and realization of alcholoism is, in my opinon, well done. Applause to both author and narrator.