• The Good House

  • A Novel
  • By: Ann Leary
  • Narrated by: Mary Beth Hurt
  • Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (4,669 ratings)

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The Good House  By  cover art

The Good House

By: Ann Leary
Narrated by: Mary Beth Hurt
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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

What listeners say about The Good House

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    2,467
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Story
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  • 3 Stars
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A story made for listening and relaxing.

I listened to this book during some of the coldest days and nights of winter. I live alone and the book gave me the feeling of having a visit from an interesting friend.The narrator was perfect for these characters. All I can say is “Give me another story about Hildy “

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    5 out of 5 stars
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wonderful story about a hidden dtsese

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes, a{real}story about a talented 60.s woman including her loves

Who was your favorite character and why?

hildy whos struggles with drinking mirrors people i know

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

emotional responds some how she made the character more real

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

peter i did not like him but i can not forget him especially his drinking with hildy

after his dealth.

Any additional comments?

a lost boy a car accident a body in the river added suspense

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent book, magnificent narration

Totally engrossing and believable story. You have to love Hildy, and Mary Beth Hurt was a really fantastic narrator.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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I'm not an alcoholic - I just love alcohol!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes - Hilde is a great character. She is likable and scrappy.

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

Hilde describing how she doesn't really have a problem with drinking - she didn't pass out, was just taking a nap. LOL

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

The tone of her voice was perfect!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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I haven't enjoyed a book like this in a long time!

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

Hildi is so real!! I saw myself all the way though!

What did you like best about this story?

This book made me laugh outloud!! I loved it!!

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

The author is so excellent she brings the story to life!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Perfect voice for revealing tale

Small town. Big characters. Descriptions so adept you can picture it all in your mind. And the main character will have you laughing and wincing and sympathizing as the story unfolds.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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hildy!!

I want to be friends with her! I loved her character and Mary Beth Hurt captured her perfectly!!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Good house good book

The story is funny, sad, intriguing with a mystery. I loved listening. And I’m looking for other books by the reader!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

5 Stars for Mary Beth Hurt

Would you listen to The Good House again? Why?

Yes I would. The story was truly interesting and gave insight to how a small town can band together. Lots of jucy secrets revealed.

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

When Hildy came to her conclusion that her drinking was way out of control nad how she delt with it.

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

I loved her voice. She really made me believe she was Hildy.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the young boy was found and the connection he had with the horse.

Any additional comments?

Mary Beth Hurt should do more audio books !!! She was fantastic.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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little different type of novel..

It seemed like the author was taking a lot of time giving the background of the story, but not getting to the 'story line' or 'conflict'.. then all of a sudden I realized that the story was all background, the recall of experiences.. The description was vivid, the narrator was really great... so now that I've finished it.. I liked it:)

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