Rating: 
Summary: The "Ugly American" at home
Review: In a scathing indictment of the life we Americans take for granted, a careless bureaucratic mistake sets events in place that change ordinary lives into Greek tragedy. The most potent character, Colonel Behrani, an Iranian, is mystified by the uncivilized behavior he encounters daily, where people do not even show the courtesy of pronouncing his name correctly. His motives are based in a belief system, a lifetime of habit that defines his sense of honor and the care of his family. Seemingly rigid and fundamentalist, his daily self-discipline is all that separates Behrani from the abasement he endures while trying to build a future in America, his new country. On the other hand, Kathy Nicolo is the victim of her own self-delusion, her life defined by the men she attaches herself to, apparently unaware of her own motivation. She is an accident waiting to happen. When her house is taken by the county for non-payment of taxes, erroneously, then bought at auction by Behrani, Kathy becomes the catalyst that propels the escalation of events. The third person in this triangle is Lester Burdon, a married police officer who walks into Kathy's life like a knight on a white horse, ready to do battle for her, careless of the price to himself or his wife and children. Lester later admits some truth: that he is fear-driven, using the badge as an extra boost to his manhood. Kathy and Lester entangle themselves in a sticky web, without the strength to resist their mutual emotional need or sexual fixation, neither willing to assume responsibility for their actions. Unable to maintain control of the unfolding situation, Lester and Kathy, each in their own way, cross over the line to nevermore, holding hands all the while. The final pages of this novel offer some of the most compelling reading I have found in years. HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG is stunning in its conclusion; I was driven through the final pages, unwilling to accept what I was reading. This is not a novel soon forgotten, its message as pure and clean as an arrow piercing the heart of an endangered species, humanity.
Rating:
Summary: A Page Turning, Paper Cutting, edge of your mind book.
Review: I am a very picky person about my books, I never read anything unless it get's outstand reviews, which it did. The L.A TIMES, New York Times BOOK REVIEW, Oprah, and many more people all said it was a grand book that every person should have on their nightstand. All I can really say is, "Get it, you won't be sorry."
Rating: 
Summary: A Waste of Time
Review: When Oprah suggested this book so enthusiastically I was really looking forward to a good read. However, I was sorely disappointed. For one thing I thought the author didn't do a very good job writing from a woman's point of view. Then, I disliked all three of the main characters. They were all self centered, selfish and totally irresponsible for their actions. The author was unable to make me care about them. I thought, "When is something redeeming going to happen?" What have the characters learned, what have I learned from reading this book?" "When is this going to finally end?" I'm sorry, the only character I liked was the young son and I had some sympathy for Mrs. Behrani. Other than that, my opinion of this book is that I'm sorry I spent so many hours with these characters. They are not people I would ever want to spend a lot of time with, even in a book! If you want to read a few wonderful books with characters you can care about, try "White Oleander," by Janet Fitch or "The Poisonwood Bible," by Barbara Kingsolver. The characters may be flawed but I loved them.
Rating:
Summary: A great page turner
Review: This is a great book. The character developement is excellent, which, to me, is the most important part of a good read. The book centers around a bitter fight for ownership of a hosue, and you find yourself feeling for each side of the arguement because Dubus does such a wonderful job of developing the characters. You can see each character's point of view, even though they are people you normally woud not identify with. Once you get to the middle of the book, it's very hard to put down. I highly recommend this for anyone who's looking for an absorbing read, you don't forget these characters.
Rating: 
Summary: Suspense less
Review: I have read alot on my own but have enjoyed Oprah's picks. She really played up the suspense and I didn't find any.
Rating:
Summary: "Smoke and Mirrors"
Review: The "House Of Sand And Fog" is the first novel by Andre Dubus III,that I have read.His writng will fold you in like a warm blanket,only to deliver an electrical shock.The story is about two people Kathy Nicolo and Colonel Behrani who both desire ownership of the same small house set in the California hills.The characters are fully developed and it is easy to see both sides of the issue until you get to know Kathy better.She is everyones toxic relationship, she pollutes everyone around,just as her cigarettes pollute the air. The problem is the authors characterization of Kathy leaves us to fight getting sucked in by her. Watch out for Kathy,the last line of this book, tells us who she really is.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Read for an Avid Reader
Review: Though it took a few pages to really get into this book, once I was into it I felt compelled to follow the maze. It's a story that works from several different levels of human nature. You can not close this book without being affected. Be prepared to invest yourself emotionally into the story. Have someone read it at the same time you are because you will want to discuss it with them when you've finished. Excellent book club material. I envy this author's genius!
Rating: 
Summary: Dense and dark, but graphic sex unnecessary
Review: I started reading this book and my first impression was that I would not like it. It is not a book that I couldn't put down, in fact, I started and stopped a lot with intervals of a couple of days in between. The book is so dense and so dark. The characters are complex and none are clearly villian or hero. I hated the colonel at times and felt for him at other times. To hate him without empathy is to see the world through our own ethnocentric view and demand that everyone's culture react like ours. His humility in the face of his loss of stature and pride borders on heroic. His treatment of his wife and view of women is not. The cop has way less integrity and is the least sympathetic character. He is bored with his wife but wants to retain his home and children, so decides to cheat. He has no respect for his marriage, or his job. Kathy Nicolo seems to be on a fast track to self-defeat most of her adult life. Like a lot of women (people), she doesn't learn how not to keep making the same mistakes. Totally believable. We all know people like this. The language, culture and historical information about The Colonel's homeland and family were very well done. The only negative comment I can make about this beautifully written and thought provoking book is about what I consider gratuitous details of the sexual relationship between Lester and Kathy. DuBus interjected titillating sexual details which seemed to not be necessary. The sophmoric comments about being "deep inside her", and "coming into her mouth" detracted from otherwise believable dialogue. Unless men truly do not advance sexually beyond junior high, this seemed non credible to me.
Rating:
Summary: House of Sand and Fog
Review: As I began to read the book I felt - Here's another story of someone in deep trouble. The authors descriptions of the different events and of Kathy was exceptional. I did feel sorry for the colonel and I wanted him to have the good life he wanted for his family when he came to America. After all isn't the Usa the land of opportunity?? At times I was hoping that Kathy's husband Nick would come back in the picture to stir-up some trouble, but that did not happen. Lester did what he had to do with the situation, although I think he got what he deserved. In my opinion Kathy should have died at the end of the book however your the writer. The ending was not what I expected but then again you needed an ending.
Rating: 
Summary: A good start
Review: I bought this to read on a long trip and was so engrossed in it that when I got to my destination I wanted to skip the planned itinerary and just read it. I love/hate it when that happens-but 2/3 of the way thru,the love diminished as I realized I was just wading thru to get to the ending-the Colonel's character was the most interesting; Kathy's was a bit flat; Lester's even flatter and his motivations too fuzzy. I agree with other reviewers that the'sand and fog' reference could have been more directly delved into with some success, I think. One reviewer said Lester didn't have a first-person narrative, but he did near the end-that reviewer must have been skimming to get to the end faster than I was. He should have entered earlier with his own point of view as he became a more important character. I also agree this should have been a short story, but I think it had great potential for a longer book with more depth on Kathy and Lester. Plus, based on my work in real estate law, the aspect of the foreclosure/redemption rights of the taxpayer are off-the risk lies with the auction purchaser, that's why the bid paid is often way below market, because the taxpayer has usu. 60 to 90 days to reverse it-but maybe its changed in Calif.-kept reading thinking this would be cleared up. Author has some wonderful insights, phrasing that almost redeems shortcomings.
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