The Good House

A Novel

By: Ann Leary

Narrated by: Mary Beth Hurt

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

Easily, my favorite book, this year!

It is a rare for a character from a book to be so fully developed and real. Ann Leary's Hilde is the zaniest, most complicated and wise cracking Yankee woman I ever met. Mary Beth Hurt's narration was absolutely superb! I was sorry when the book ended and she was no longer in my life. I will look for more books that she narrates!

I bought this book based on the the reviews, of several readers whose opinions, I have come to respect. I can't thank you other audible customers enough for taking the time to write such thoughtful and helpful reviews. I will work to be a better member of this great community of engaged minds: because, together, we can really broaden and enhance our experiences in audio literature.
The whole story and character unfolds, exposing layers of the life of
a woman who lives, loves, fumbles, triumphs, experiences motherhood and
"gammyhood", strides, and deceives herself with such determined grit,
that you can't help but, feel anger frustration and yet, embrace her as a friend ( though she's not real " touchy " ).
I just can't speak highly enough of this book. I have already recommended it to my family and friends and will seek out more from this wonderfully seasoned, funny, talented and intelligent writer!

Oh Hildy, I'll Drink to That!

Where does The Good House rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I would rate it as one of my favorite listens. I found myself wanting to listen to "just one chapter more", and was sad to have the story finished.

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

I found myself many times laughing out loud at Hildy's comments. However I almost had to pull my car over I was laughing so hard when Hildy dropped her keys off her office porch and decided to jump down after them. Then there were the tender moments, the sweet memories with her husband, Frankie and even Peter as a boy.

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

To my knowledge I've not listened to Mary Beth Hurt before. She was perfect for this audiobook. She WAS Hildy!

Any additional comments?

Ann Leary has written a fabulous book on alcoholism. Together with the performance by Mary Beth Hurt, this is not a book to be missed. Both the author and the narrator brought to life the many funny, tender, sad and reflective moments in The Good House. It's can be sad to finish a really good book, but Ann Leary did a great job ending Hildy's story.

Hildy Wants MORE!

Hildy's grandson's first word was MORE. This is the moral of the story....we all want MORE.
Hildy wants MORE, more alcohol, more money and prestige, and more love. Each of the other characters is lacking something in their lives which brings them to Hildy and in turn, she basks in their strife.
In letting Hildy's story unfold Ms. Leary expertly illustrates the denial of an addict. But it is not just Hildy who is an addict, it is also Rebecca; she is addicted to attention and romance.
Then of course with all of this wanting MORE, comes great loss.
The messy emotions and feelings and thoughts of these characters come to life with Ms. Hurt so wonderfully narrating.
I loved this book and I can't imagine anyone not becoming completely engaged with this story. YES 5 stars!

Recommended by a friend...

I found Hildy Good – lifelong resident of a quaint seaside town, successful real estate agent, "wine lover", and descendant of one of the Salem witches – to be an absolutely fascinating protagonist. Her behavior alternates between hilarious and sobering in a novel where secrets are kept and demons are battled. Through it all you’ve got the masterful Mary Beth Hurt’s performance anchoring you to this very original story. I didn’t want it to end!

Great Book, and Awesome Narrator!

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

I would certainly recommend this audiobook to a friend. It was a beautifully written story and kept me entertained the entire time. I love the voice of Hildy Good.

Bottoms up!

Would you listen to The Good House again? Why?

Yes, I definitely would listen to this again.

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

Mary Beth Hurt had the absolutely perfect voice for Hildy Good. She had the edge and sarcasm down pat. She helped the reader see how Hildy had deluded herself into thinking that her drinking was just a normal and understandable thing.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Bottoms Up

Any additional comments?

I completely enjoyed this fabulous study in character. A real treat.

It won me over!

I usually tend to like stories about quirky non conforming characters rather than ones who are popular or wealthy, etc. So when Hildy starts to describe her life and the status of the people in town, I almost changed my mind about reading it. But the story was intriguing and so i stuck it out. It wasnt one that I just couldnt put down, but it was a slowly developing story that eventually sucked me into it. Im glad i finished it and i did enjoy it.

The main character is fantastic

Would you listen to The Good House again? Why?

A great listen, so beautifully performed by Mary Beth Hurt. The characters grow and change in this absorbing novel set in a New England town.

just a wonderful story!

I'll keep this brief as there are so many other good reviewers.

I just want to thank Mary Beth Hurt for her splendid narration.

Heartbreakingly (is that a word?!?) Funny!!

Where does The Good House rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Probably in the middle somewhere. I didn't feel quite as invested in the characters as some of my other books. And perhaps I had higher expectations based on the other reviews.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Well, Hildy of course. She's hilarious sober and hilarious drunk. Although, it is a bit of sad reality to witness her moments of "ahem"...blackness.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene is Thanksgiving dinner and her relationship with her ex husband. There couldn't have been a more perfect scenario for Hildy's character.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Eh... Not really. I really only got to the "can't turn it off" moment at the very end. The rest of the book seemed to be character building rather than a gripping story line.