House of Sand and Fog [Unabridged]

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Summary: The house of sand and fog
Review: What unattractive characters, in particular Kathy and Lester. They are not even sad, just and example of the unexamined life. What I did like was the way the writer was able to express the rituals and dreams of the Persian culture, and the hopes that immigrants bring with them to the United States. I hope never in my lifetime to meet people like Kathy and Lester.

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Summary: Should Have Won the National Book Award
Review: I bought all the books that were nominated for fiction; and was pretty impressed with them. But this one was beyond impressive. House of Sand & Fog is an extraordinary book, with the most complex and disturbing character development I have encountered in a while. Dubus' sensitivity toward the diverse cultures he writes about is extremely moving. Easily the best book I read over the last year.

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Summary: One of the great works of modern American fiction
Review: A truly great novel leaves the reader with lasting images and impressions that haunt you long after you've finished reading. House of Sand and Fog is such a book. Dubus has drawn such real characters and situations that the reader is sucked into their world and never released. This is more than just an impressive novel, it ranks alongside the greats of contemporary American fiction and its unique style and multiple voices will set a benchmark for the 21st century.

Those readers who were not stunned by this book have really missed out on a great reading treat. It is not a thriller, yet it is as compelling as the best James Lee Burke novel. The juxtaposition of cultures and narrative style may be difficult for some, but hugely satisfying for others.

The best American novel since Underworld!

Rating:
Summary: Fails on many levels
Review: Not to be picky, but first of all, the law is that since the county never owned the house, since they made the mistake that started this whole mess, they can't auction it, and in real life the sale would be taken back whether Behrani agreed or not. But aside from that, where the author fails badly is that he does not make Lester or Kathy synmpathetic characters that I care about. I feel nothing but contempt for them, and throughout the whole story wish they'd go away and leave the Behranis alone. And no, I'm not Iranian or even close. The story just spirals uncontrollably downhill to such an extent that it was not believable. And the end is ambiguous, maybe intentially. I have no idea what happens to Kathy at the end. But since the author has made me not like her I don't feel sorry for her at all. This could have been done much better, but it's obvious that the author is talented, and his next effort can be considerably better than this (I hope).

Rating:
Summary: House of Sand and Fog
Review: House of Sand and Fog is a nice read that starts strong but whithers as the story concludes. The characters become cliche as the story develops. While I felt strongly about the characters initially, by the end of the book I felt as if they were the stars of a "movie of the week".

Rating:
Summary: gets under your skin
Review: A tale so riveting and well written that it will get under your skin. You will look at people differently after reading it. You will replace judgement with compassion. You will stay awake long after you are tired to go deeper into the lives of these characters. If I had one criticism it would be that too many of the character, Lester's choices alienated me and made me turn against him in a way that I did not from the other characters.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Book!
Review: National Book Award Nominee that really deserved to be nominated...a deeply moving work worthy of your attention.

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Summary: best novel of the year
Review: I agree with all the wonderful things everyone has said about this book. It is a page-turner, a gut-wrenching morality tale for a modern world. As for the ending, I took it as the ultimate caviat. Everyone that responded negatively to the outcome, I have this to say: it's a book! Take it easy! Yes, the story is based on real events (Andre got the idea from a newspaper article about someone who lost her house in exactly the same manner as the protaganist), but the effect is more cathartic than anything else. Actually, we're supposed to be outraged, for one reason or another. Bravo, Andre!

Rating:
Summary: Great Reading
Review: You will love this book! The author does an excellent job with points of view! You will find true human emotion in the characters. This is one if the best books I have read this year. Be good to yourself and enjoy this book.

Rating:
Summary: Another note to "chapleen"...
Review: ...people who judge books by their covers are fools