Rating: 
Summary: Disturbing
Review: This book is why the moral integrity of our country is going quickly downhill. The unacceptable behavior exhibited by Les, Kathy and the Colonel is described in such pitifully self-serving detail that one only hopes readers don't try the same games themselves in real life.The message I got was that it's okay to play the victim and seek revenge. You would think Oprah, of all people would understand the incredible power of suggestion from books, media, etc. There will always be people writing about sad, sick people and things but the last thing we need are influential voices endorsing them. Don't waste your time reading this and don't waste your money supporting the Oprah "fan club."
Rating: 
Summary: A haunted house
Review: I read this book quickly. Even after coming to the end, I couldn't stop musing on it, and was moved. As I say in my subject line, this house truly is haunted, not by dancing ectoplasm and weird visions, but haunted with the past, and feelings of loss, betrayal, rage and murderous impulses. If it weren't for the house, and all the expectations and feelings put upon it, there would be no story. Some things about the story begged examination, (would the county really have been as lax as to have such a huge mistake occur that results in the loss of Kathy's home?), but it made for an enjoyable read nonetheless. It's also not an easy read. Indeed, when I reached the end, I did feel (like the blurbs promised) that I had read a story modeled after the conventions of Greek tragedy. While I can understand of lot of the negativity toward this novel, I have to say that I enjoyed it. Dubus III is a good writer (and has inspired me to seek out the other Andre Dubus), and he also portrays an America today as it really is, with all different groups of people mingling, and this forms one of the biggest misunderstandings of the book. It's a nice change of pace to see an author show how much America has changed, and keeps changing. Dubus is especially skillful at testing us with divided loyalty. We will find ourselves rooting for one character, but then something will happen, and we will change our minds, only to change it back again. There are no all good or all bad characters in this book, just people whose lives have all reached a point where pride and prejudice push them to the limits. I do agree with some of the critiques of the character of the Deputy. If Dubus had spread the story over a larger timeframe, perhaps we could see his actions as more fitting to his character as compared to the rash judgements he makes after what seems like a timespan of less than a week. However,I will advise the reader that this book is well written, and well executed. One reviewer said to only read Part 1, and dispense with Part 2. I will not say that is wrong advice, but I am not one who could read so far into a book and then abandon it. I couldn't put the book down after Part 1, even though I could slowly see where things were going and even I, the reader, felt completely powerless. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Very Upsetting
Review: I was so excited to read this book after Oprah highly recommended it. What a disappointment? This book made me so angry. It was a horrible display of badgering someone who is of another culture and trying to make an honest life for himself in the United States. Horrible book and such a poor choice for Oprah!
Rating:
Summary: Waste of time
Review: I wasn't even 1/4 of the way through the book and threw it away. Too bad. Might be a good story, however, why should the author use such foul language and who cares about the porn movie that the character watches. I tried to get past this several times, however, everytime they bring up the character, Kathy, such foul language is used. I am very disappointed in Oprah for listing this as her "pick of the month". A waste of money and time.
Rating: 
Summary: Suspenseful, well written and dynamic
Review: This is the best book I have read in quite a while. This is about what happens when we fail to communicate and don't understand one another, which leads to tragic consequences. The story is told from three points of view, giving you different perspectives of the conflict of who ultimately owns this house and what it signifies- a woman who has inherited it from her father and had it wrongfully taken from her, the man who is in love with her and seeks fairness, and the Persian immigrant who bought it legally and seeks to make a profit to restore his dignity and be able to send his son to college. Each character is completely believable and has so many flaws, and so many admirable qualities, and since you see the situation in all of their eyes and it is impossible to take sides. The outcome is unpredictable and the journey to get there is compelling. This is an excellent story with good writing, and overall a lesson to be learned by everyone.
Rating:
Summary: This is the worst book ever
Review: This is the worst book I ever read. It took me almost a week to read, when a book of this size if I like it takes 2 days. I finally started skipping pages last night during the last 60 pages, because I just could not continue reading it. It was stupid, stupid stupid. Very boring. 2 people fighting over the same house? Pretty lame. Would not recommend this book to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: A Skillfully Written Dilemma
Review: Beautifully written page-turner that was so dramatic it kept me up at night...This book is too good to pick apart over technical issues...That's what a rousingly good story does, causes people to THINK! Not just the story but the writing here is first-rate. Dubus knows how to get into the heart and soul of a character without being obvious about it. He's terrific!
Rating: 
Summary: House of Absurd & Ridiculous
Review: Oprah needs to broaden her taste and choices in books. This one is so unbelievable it's difficult to describe. Absurd characters... ridiculous ending.
Rating:
Summary: Phew! It's Over!
Review: I've just finished this book and I have to say that I've never been so glad to come to the end of a novel. It's rare indeed when one dislikes the protaganists so very much and cannot care for them no matter how one tries but this is how I felt with these people. Of the five main characters only two were worth liking; the Iranian mother and son. I am perfectly ready to dislike characters but if so I feel they must pack a lot of weight in the way of character and depth. These characters were thin and cliched. Bahrani is a man who has paid dearly for freedom and has either forgotten or learned nothing from it, Kathy is just an empty, emotional slob totally sans interet while her lover seems only able to think from the waist down. I found myself wanting to shout to all these folks "people, get a life!" Now why don't I feel this way while reading Mahfouz who's characters are always completely screwed up? In addition I feel that the Iranian connection didn't work well; the author's constant repetition of Farsi words did not prove to make a more authentic or full-bodied character of Bahrani nor did I believe that Bahrani could be so simple minded given his past. I have to admit that with the climax approaching I looked gleefully ahead to the three main characters getting their comeuppance! My apologies to the author.
Rating:
Summary: House of sand and fog
Review: Though Dubus' skill as a writer is exceptional, and the book extremely well written, I was so disturbed by the conclusion, and the fact that the character, Kathy Nicolo is portrayed as a vacuous idiot, and Lester not shinning too brightly himself, I could not possibly recommend this book. It was like taking Lithium, it brings you down and keeps you there. I have read books recommended by Oprah's book club, fool me once...
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