House of Sand and Fog [Unabridged]

Rating:
Summary: Bad Characters, Bad Decisions
Review: The characters in this book are not strongly depicted. There is a lack of evidence to support what motivates them to make the horrendous decisions that they do. The reader doesn't develop an appreciation for any of the characters' values, which makes it hard feel anything other than disgust with respect to the decisions that they make. I have no idea why this book is so highly regarded, awarded and recommended. I found it to be a complete waste of time.

Rating:
Summary: Compelling tale
Review: This tale about characters who are hard to like had my Book Club talking for hours. This is a book that stimulates thinking about a variety of issues from the need to have a home of your own to alcholism to immigration and assimilation of foreign cultures into the American way of life. Any one who enjoys good writing will find this book one that captures their hearts and minds.

Rating:
Summary: Must Read for Fiction Writers
Review: I read this book while struggling to write a short story. Although I loved it as a reader, it had even more value to me as a writer. Dubus' ability to develop strong characters, weaving in their histories while keeping a tight grip on the plot, and his delicious use of metaphor helped me look at my own work with fresh eyes. This book should be deconstructed as a creative writing exercise - after reading it for sheer pleasure!

Rating:
Summary: House of Good Plot and Amazing Writing
Review: Ok, so that was a poor attempt at some spoofing, but seriously this is the book I've needed to read to get me out of the rut of mediocrity I've read lately. It's wonderful! There are three main characters, so well formed that they breathed for me. All of the supporting characters were very well developed. Dubus' language manages to convey exactly the sentiment, and nothing further.

I hate to speculate on the flaws of the characters, but in certain ways each of the three shared a measure of pride, stupidity, aggression, and love. I feel that I have inherited the house, because this story stays with me. I love that the book contantly invokes the fog and the sand, but does it gently.

I can't believe that this book was a finalist and not the winner of the National Book awards. So far this is my favorite book of the new millennium. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Almost - not quite
Review: I can't give it a 5-star because I did walk away a little confused - Kathy's relationship with her mother was confusing to me. Other than that, the story is powerful and compelling - and in spite of the tragedy in all these lives, I had to keep reading. (And I generally prefer an "uplifting read" rather than these downhill courses.)

Rating:
Summary: A Suspenseful Tragedy
Review: Dubus' novel tells a story of two contentious "owners" of a house in the California coastal hillside. For Kathy Nicolo, the house represents her last stake in the ground in a world she is close to losing grip on. For Colonel Behrani, it represents the one and only chance to bring dignity back to his once prominent but now struggling politcal refugee family.

The contrast in the 1st person narration of both Kathy and the Colonel highlights the misunderstanding that takes place between individuals of different racial and cultural backgrounds. Dubus effectively used this narration in relationship to the 2nd person perspective of Lester Burdon, a third party participant whose own prejudices complicate the antagonistic relationship between Kathy and the Colonel. Dubus really develops his characters and allows readers to empathize with them, yet also examine how each of the characters are unable to empathize with each other, creating the tragic events that might otherwise be prevented.

I think this book will appeal to a wide range of readers. Dubus' story unfolds quickly, with each misstep taken by the protagonists advancing the pace of events that culminate into an unrestrained tragedy. Granted, some of the stereotypes may seem go a bit far, a little overly dramatic at times. But once you've gotten into this book, it's almost impossible to stop its momentum.

Rating:
Summary: Andre Dubus III is a major talent. This book is stunning.
Review: You'll read too many reviews here that go over the plot and describe the characters. Don't be put off by them. This is a disturbing, memorable story well crafted and worth reading and re-reading. It will stay with you. Yes, there are weaknesses. But this is a story about us and the cultural clashes in our country, and the people you pass each day on the Freeway. Read it. Andre Dubus is first rate, and this is a book that teaches the way the great storytellers teach.

Rating:
Summary: House of Sand and Fog
Review: House of Sand and Fog, which I read over a period of 12 hours, left me with a reminder of all the times in our lives when we made choices and either enjoyed the results or had to live with the consequences. The clash of cultures in this country was probably the next most impressive quality of this book. Very quickly, Mr. Dubus allowed us to view the inner workings of the main characters minds and I do believe that it is very similar to a Greek tragedy. The very first time I heard of Mr. Dubus was with an essay of his in Yankee magazine, preceded by an article stating that the author had died this past winter. What I heard about Mr. Dubus was that he was a writer of essays and short stories and towards the end of his life had to deal with paraplegia due to an accident. I learned that he struggled with this and other problems with his family. Then when I saw that this book was out, I couldn't resist reading it. So those of you who thought his ending was too harsh, can probably understand that this book is so close to real life, it's eerie.

Rating:
Summary: Unhappily Ever After
Review: I quickly became a fan of Mr.Dubus'writing in the first half of this book. Very interesting idea. But this ending! He certainly got carried away with himself! Kathy and Lester got what they deserved, but these poor Iranians. He could have softened it a little. I look forward to reading more of Mr. Dubus writing. Hopefully, his other endings aren't so final. A thought that kept popping in my head throughout this book was that I hope I am never left a House or anything of value!

Rating:
Summary: Tragedy in a strong voice
Review: Andre Dubus III's House of Sand and Fog gave me another hint of mortality, not solely because of the tragic tale. I now find that one of my favorite writers is the son of one of my favorite writers. (Amis and Amis, Buckley and Buckley also come to mind.) This book is a nuanced tale with five very strong main characters in the best traditions of the old tragedies. An Iranian colonel who has fled with his family to America following the fall of the Pahlavi government, finally seizes an opportunity to put that family back on a financially comfortable plain. He buys, at a tax auction, a very modest bungalow in a San Francisco suburb. He is pleasantly suprised when he learns that house could be sold for as much as four times what he paid for it, and unpleasantly surprised when it appears the county erred in seizing and auctioning the property. Although he is on firm legal ground, the moral ground is a swamp, populated by two reptilian characters, Kathy, a recovering drug abuser cum housecleaner, and Lester, a philandering deputy sheriff. The themes of self interest, denial, greed, moral certitude, moral ambiguity and xenophobia run like golden threads through this novel. Dubus III is an original voice and this novel is a breakthrough. The story is complex and rich. You only get a glimpse of his ability in his collection of short stories, The Cagekeeper. Buy this book. By far, the best I've read in a while.