Rating: 
Summary: Gripping and heartbreaking
Review: For once, the blurb on the jacket describes a book perfectly. This story is indeed about three Americans, how their experiences shaped them, and their complete and utter inability to understand one another. Two of the characters, Behrani and Kathy, are so well drawn that at some times I found myself rooting for him or her, at other times disliking him or her intensely. The story is a genuine tragedy, and while it sounds incredible in synopsis, it's easy to believe as the story unfolds. While I don't agree with the customer reviewer who said the sex was gratuitous, I have to admit I didn't like it. It made Lester's relationship with Kathy too superficial, too easy to explain. This sad, remarkably unremarkable girl was the first time he'd given in to temptation? I don't buy it. But the Kathy/Lester dynamic is the only complaint I have with a terrific book.
Rating: 
Summary: An Endless Jounrey
Review: I do not know if I would consider getting a book like this a present. From beginning to end you are left with a feeling of betrayl from the author. In other words, you do not care about either conflicting parties nor the trials and tribulations that flow throughout the novel. Andre Dubus III, has an aptitude for character development, almost too good. You end up knowing more about the characters that you wish to because each character would be considered a neusence in our society. One of the biggest downfalls of the book is the unnatural dialog between the characters and the less than pleasing plot. I highly recommend passing over this novel and continue searching for a real diamond in the ruff. Heath~
Rating: 
Summary: I see the train coming but can't get out of the way.....
Review: Three people, all trying to save or renew their lives, come to a tragic end as their dreams overlap and destroy one another in the process. A tragedy in the true sense of the word. I found it especially remarkable that Dubus could get into the heads of his three protagonists and I was able to feel them all differently and individually, compassionately and with frustration.
Rating:
Summary: cheap and manipulative
Review: The book started out quite compelling and sensitive to the difficult lives of the characters. However, it soon descended into an easy exploitation of violence. It reminded me of nothing so much as a lousy made for tv movie.
Rating:
Summary: Review of House of Sand and Fog
Review: I recently read the "House of Sand and Fog" by Andre Dubus III. The most accurate portrait of this book that I can paint is to say that it's a very descriptive novel detailing the intracacies of relationships and what results when a passionate conflict is included. I couldn't put it down while I was reading it; its moving language and meaningful suspense kept me wondering and reeling the entire time I held it in my hands.However, this mirror is double-sided. It is indeed one of the most profound and depressing books that I have ever read, but it isn't one of my favorite. I think once I'm a bit older (I'm 12 right now) it my be something that I will like better. So, I give this book 4 stars out of 5: its very well written, but it's not one I would give as a gift to anybody, so I can't give it a full 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing and full of suspense
Review: Wow. This was not a book I would have normally bought just based on the description, but I'm so glad I did! I found myself in the lives of three individuals, all of whom I felt sympathy for, but none that I just truly liked. This was great, since I couldn't decide who I wanted to be able to keep the house in question. All of the charachters are flawed, and it's nice to read a book without a hero for a change. The end was a true suprise- one that I would never have guessed. I was never bored while reading. The pace is quick, and the story flows well. I highly recommend this book!
Rating:
Summary: time waster
Review: This could have been an intriguing scenario however it was so poorly written with unbelievably bad dialogue... nobody speaks like that! Superfluous detail in strange places: Why is it important to know exactly how one of the characters makes garlic bread and pasta for dinner? Gratuitous sex which didn't contribute to the story. I was tempted to bail out by about page 34 but unfortunately, hung in until the end. Why? I guess I kept thinking it had to get better.
Rating:
Summary: Well written gripping story
Review: Well written gripping story about several US citizens whose lives come crashing together--sort of the American Dream gone bad. The book is very dark and can be subtly disturbing to some. I, for one, could not put it down and empathized with all the characters in some way, which I think it is a testament to the writing. The climax of the story is superbly written, I could not tear myself away.
Rating:
Summary: Suspenseful and Intriguing.
Review: A house is sold at auction through a mix-up. Now the imigrant family who buy the home and the recovering addict who inherited it face potential tragedy. An unusual and unexpected turn of affairs upsets the lives of these characters. Quite a surprise! Interesting read!
Rating: 
Summary: Sad ending
Review: The House of Sand and Fog was another of our bookclub books. This one was true to my experience with the Oprah selections: interesting reading, but certainly not uplifting. In fact, it was full of tragic characters who spiral out of control into disaster. The story was a little by slow at parts, yet the ploy was very unique and the character development was interesting.
| 
