House of Sand and Fog

Rating:
Summary: Buyer Beware!
Review: I found this book very disappointing after reading the rave reviews. The author is clearly talented, but the darkness of the characters invites despair in the reader and the plot deteriorates into the ridiculous. Something kept me reading but confess I had trouble staying awake to finish the last chapter and still haven't figured out what that was all about!

Rating:
Summary: a frustrating read
Review: This book, while well-written, is frustrating because of the foolishness of the characters, especially Kathy Niccolo. They continually make bad decisions that the reader can see a mile away, and consequently don't seem "real." For me, it's difficult to read a book in which I dislike most of the characters, and this one definitely falls under that category. I kept wanting to yell at them, to make them see the stupidity of their actions, and that does not make for a good reading experience.

Rating:
Summary: entertaining at times but ultimately somewhat unsatisfying
Review: The plot of "House and Sand and Fog" revolves around two individuals, Kathy Nicolo and Massoud Behrani, each of whom has a claim to a house in Corona, California, overlooking the ocean. Lester Burdon plays an important role, too, as Kathy's protector. The book is sharply divided into Part I and Part II; while the writing is clear and crisp throughout, there is more of a sense of chaos and urgency in Part II that make it a much quicker read than Part I. Overall, I found this book drew me in and made me want to keep reading, but at the same time the sudden and somewhat implausible plot twists distance the story from any sort of reality page by page. The reader really has to suspend her disbelief in places in order to enjoy the story.

One final thought: a number of reviewers have complained that this book is unsatisfying because its characters are "depressing" and have no redeeming qualities to them. While I don't entirely disagree with this comment, I wonder how many people out there read books that are only happy and uplifting and contain only honorable, moral characters who have no faults. While this book is somewhat dark in its plot and characters (one aspect I actually really enjoyed about it was the full, descriptive character development), all this means is that it is closer to human reality than all those books that make the reader feel warm and fuzzy. For many people, I think, the purpose of reading is not necessarily to feel good about oneself and about the qualities of all human beings, but to be challenged and to read something that is more interesting, albeit complex and even disturbing.

Rating:
Summary: Well-Written and Performed, but . . .
Review: I chose this audiobook because I was curious about the type of literature chosen for Oprah's Book Club. I must preface this review by stating that my preferences are for adventure and science fiction novels. That being said, I found this audiobook to be very well written and performed, but also very depressing.

As a character study, "The House of Sand and Fog" is as good as it gets, with three well-defined characters whose hopes, dreams, and flaws are nicely fleshed out in the narrative. The author, Mr. Dubus, does a particularly excellent job of giving us American readers an insight into the culture and mindset of his Iranian characters, both in his writing and his performance of Colonel Behrani's dialect. The narrative is suspenseful as we discover how the lives of the three charcters become tangled together in a hopeless, unfortunate mess.

If you enjoy books that describe how real people get themselves into screwed-up situations with tragic results, then this book is for you. If you're looking for a fun escape from reality, you may be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Very Depressing
Review: Although parts of this book are very good, I found the book to be very depressing overall.

I had a hard time reading this book and finishing it. I finished it with a heavy heart and found myself glad that it was over and that I could read soemthing more uplifting. All of the charcters are flawed which is very true to life. However, I found that they were much more flawed than I like. I prefer to think that most of humanity is much nicer and more likable than those characters.

One positive is that the author is very descriptive. You can almost taste the smoke and smell the smokers breath as the character talks. You truly can develop a picture many of the places the author writes about and envision the characters as they move through these places.

I tend to want to read books that will take me away from my every day problems, dirty dishes, whining kids and gazillions items on my to do list. If this is what you want it a book, you might consider looking elsewhere. There are plenty of good books out there that are not so depressing. Maybe I'm missing something in this book that others see, because of my reasons for reading. However, I think that this is the type of book that you probably either like or don't like and very few in between. Most of the reviews seem to support this as well.

...

Rating:
Summary: House of Unbelievable Situations
Review: When I started reading this book, I thought I had a real winner. The characters, especially the Colonel, were fascinating, and the prose was beautifullly crafted. I have to praise the author for his ability to evoke the setting and the characters so convincingly. My problems with the book have everything to do with the plot. I found the plot to be just unbelievable almost from the very beginning. The truth is, Kathy Nicolo and the Colonel would have both walked away from this situation about $250,000 richer by somewhere around page 100 in any real kind of world. The cost of this house is peanuts to any bay area county, and one letter from an attorney would have solved everyone's problems in about two weeks. The escalation of events from then on just seemed melodramatic and unbelievable. I kept reading because this was a book club assignment, and I saw glimmers here and there that the earlier promise of the book might reassert itself. Ultimately, the plot goes from unbelievable to preposterous. Sigh . . . I am baffled over the critical acclaim for this book. To me, it was an uneven effort by a young novelist who is still figuring things out. I believe Dubus III has promise, and I will read his writing again. He seems to care about writing at a literary level, and he is working well at the "craft" of writing. But I think it is a stretch to compare this book with some of the greater works it has been linked to, and a nomination for the National Book Award--Pullleeaasse!

Rating:
Summary: Unlike Anything I've Ever Read
Review: I'm an avid reader who jumped late on the ... "Book Club" bandwagon, due to encouragement from a friend who had thoroughly enjoyed many of her suggestions. I've now read about 90% of ... Books" and, while I don't always agree with Ms. Winfrey's taste, I continue to check out her picks because I have found some authors--most notably the spectacular Wally Lamb--I honestly respect, and most likely would not have otherwise discovered, thanks to ... super-popular "club."

After reading "House of Sand and Fog" I'll be adding Andre Dubois III to my list of must-read authors. This book is completely unlike any of Oprah's other selections and, to be honest, unlike just about anything else I've ever read. (And I've read 3-5 books a week since I was five years old.) It's not an "easy read," by any means--it's an undeniably emotionally powerful and thought-provoking story--but the suspense got me so hooked I finished this novel in less than a day. When I completed it and tried to describe it to my husband, who I thought would also enjoy it, he initially balked because it was an "Oprah Book." Oprah, to him, equals "chick story." And, while I admit that Oprah's choices do seem to favor stories of poor, disenfranchised or abused children (no surprise, since she can obviously relate to that), "House of Sand and Fog" is a notable exception. This is no "woman's story."

After much racking of my brain I decided that this book most reminds me of Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath," not because the stories are similar in any but the smallest and most superficial of ways, but because, like "Grapes of Wrath," which starts off as such a straight-forward descriptive tale, you really never know where "House of Sand and Fog" is going. There are no "good" and "bad" characters--all are terribly flawed--and the story takes a wealth of strange turns I NEVER would have seen coming. (In fact, the story is so distinctly "split" Dubois has divided the novel into "Part 1" and "Part 2.")

Because the novel is so incredibly unpredictable I won't offer much of a description here, for fear of spoiling it for others (WARNING: a few of the other reviews I've read do, I think, let on way too much). The story revolves around a Corona, California bungalow and the two very different families who have a claim on the house. The book begins with a detailed description of once-proud Iranian Colonel Behrani, who was forced out of his country after the Shah was overthrown. A proud man, steeped in the old Persian ways, Behrani, and his skittish wife, Nadri, are obsessed about keeping up the appearance that they have retained their status as "pooldar," wealthy and influential members of the Persian community. The lengths Behrani goes to maintain this paper-thin illusion are both frightening and touching. (And the accuracy with which Dubois portrays this culture is incredible, considering he himself has no Persian ancestry, from what I understand.)

Recovering addict and alcoholic Kathy Nicolo is as different Behrani as night and day. The fact that their lives, and that of deputy Sheriff Lester, who has formed an instant, and life-changing, attachment to Kathy comes together at all is nothing short of shocking. (Again, that Dubois can so accurately depict a working class woman, since he himself is so obviously not one, is amazing.) Kathy cleans houses for a living, just barely keeping her head above water. She is uneducated, unmotivated and, for the most part, pretty unlikable. She watches endless movies in her free time and avoids problems, including the random departure of her second husband and the county's erroneous tax claim on her house.

At different times in the novel you may "side" with either Kathy or Behrani, but I have yet to talk to anyone who has read this book that fully liked either main character. (I'm more of a law and order gal myself, so, while I sympathized with Kathy's plight, I was more sympathetic to Behrani, overall.) And it's also impossible to truly like Lester, whose concern for Kathy may have been perceived as touching, that is if he didn't have a wife and two kids at home.

"House of Sand and Fog" is a perfect "Book Club" book as, after reading it, you'll certainly want to discuss these indelible, if unlikable, characters with others. Their motivations and the shocking, yet somehow subdued, ending will certainly give you lots of conversational fodder.

Rating:
Summary: Terrible waste of time
Review: This was my book club selection so I slogged my way through it only to feel totally disgusted and angry when I finally finished it last night. What a downer! Never have I encountered such disgustingly disappointing characters as Kathy and Burden -- horrible, selfish, awful people! I cannot possibly say enough bad things about this book. It is definitely not worth anyone's time or money. I agree with all the reviewers who gave the book no more than one or two stars. The sex scenes are especially ridiculous! They are what I call a middle-aged movie director's fantasy -- totally out of touch with real women and what women want, say or do! Two thumbs down for this book!

Rating:
Summary: Good and bad.......
Review: .....this novel is an interesting analysis of the power of greed and fear and the desire for status among one's family and community. Each character knows what is "right" to do in the central dilemma presented in the novel, but is convincingly compelled to do the "wrong" thing because of the ulterior motives I mentioned. That's what will grip you about the story and you will be truly eager to learn the outcome, which I suppose, is a lesson in morality. The problem I found with the story is that no one character emerged for me as a true protagonist - none of the lead characters were truly likable and the lesser characters I merely felt sorry for. I suppose this has to do with my own personal preferences - other readers may not be so put off by this. Overall, I'd say the read is worthwhile, but a bit wordy and not for those who like to believe the world is fair or just or that man is usually motivated for honest reasons.

Rating:
Summary: when diversity hurts
Review: I read this because of the author's father, whose work I admired. While writing talent and wisdom would not seem to be inherited, this writer is frighteningly wise. In a world, where all of us live nearby, next door to, or in the same house as someone who speaks a different language, dreams a different dream, and both fears and hates the other, there is so much pain. We hurt ourselves and each other because of the differences. As the world shrinks, we have to learn to listen. I ached for these people, wanting them, screaming at them to sit down in a room together and listen to each other. To listen past the prejudices, past the stereotypes, the hate, the fear. But all we have to do is read the headlines every day to know how difficult, how impossible it is. Yet books like these can help. They make us see the deep, true connections where we meet, past the fear we let control us. Wonderful book.