Andre Dubus III - House of Sand and Fog

Pros: Gripping, addictive, tragic, sad, lyrical, sentimental, insightful---pick an adjective, any adjective
Cons: A novel about real estate? Unfortunately, some readers might walk away before they give it a chance.

The American dream collapses into a tragedy of Greek proportions in House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III, a novel that grows more compelling the more you turn the pages.

On the surface, the plot is deceptively mundane: a...

Pros: pathos, bathos, despair, all in magnificent detail
Cons: continuity

The American Dream used to mean something different. These days, my countrymen apparently dream of winning PowerBall or becoming a contestant on some "reality"-based television show that apparently employs an extraterrestrial's concept of "reality." ...

Pros: Some good points, a lot of character build-up
Cons: Slow to start, A bit unrealistic

American tragedy...seems to best describe this book and I'm still not sure how I feel about it at this point. I recently finished The House of Sand & Fog by Andre Dubus III. While cruising the displays and Barnes & Noble awhile back, I...

Pros: not believable
Cons: long, characters are annoying, tends to lag

A co-worker and I have been switching books on and off for awhile now. Actually, she has been borrowing more books from me than I have from her. But she handed me House of Sand & Fog and said that she could not get into it...maybe I could read it...

Pros: Excellent prose, unique storyline
Cons: A bit ploddy, hard to suspend disbelief, needs a bit of comic relief

Andre Dubus's novel, House of Sand and Fog, reflects the tale of three main characters whose lives end up tragically woven together through the loss of a home. Kathy, a ten-step addict who finds herself slowly drawn back into her addiction, loses her...

Pros: Rich and eloquent writing and characters. A courageous piece.
Cons: Sometimes the characters are a bit wooden, and the plot peters out.

Andre Dubus III has written a politically-incorrect book and not many have taken notice. He's spent his energy and time putting forth a well-crafted story that grates against the deathly torrent of our times. Andre Dubus III is the son of a brilliant...

Pros: interesting plot, not overly predictable, well drawn characters, attention to detail
Cons: characters can be irritating just like real people

The House of Sand and Fog is the story of losing control, going past the point of no return; the story of prejudice, rage and of people not able to tell the truth to themselves or others. It is also the story of what-ifs; all along the various points of...

Pros: twisty thriller with characters you can believe and care about
Cons: none except for mildly annoying use of foreign words

Now, I'm a confirmed East Coast girl. Say "California" to me, and my answer will most likely be, "Why?". But I'm glad I didn't let that keep me from reading this gripping, pageturning thriller. House of Sand and Fog is a noir, with...

Pros: Suspenseful, Powerful, Volatile
Cons: A BIT TOO EXTREME

"House of Sand and Fog" is another of Oprah's book selections. I do wish I could discover a book she recommends as one filled with humor, joy, and a happy ending. I guess happy endings do not cut it, or maybe they just don't happen in real life - or...

Pros: Well-written; engrossingly told story
Cons: Problematic legalities are contrived to make the story "fit"

Andre Dubus III has written an engrossing story of three main characters whose lives intersect over a house in northern California. For Kathy, the former addict and previous owner, the house represents the one final thing she has blown in her life after...

Pros: wonderful writing by Andre Dubus
Cons: none

I've already admitted that I do read from Oprah's Book Club(and for those of you who still have problems with her book club or won't read the books because they are on the list, get over it, she choses good books) but lately had not read her choices...

Pros: Great book for an airplane ride
Cons: Some of the vernacular Persian language is not explained.

This is a great book that slowly becomes a part of your pulse. A simple story that could virtually happen to anyone. A woman gets mail from the local county - which she routinely throws away.
Ultimately, the law shows up and she loses her house for...

Pros: Hard to put down
Cons: Not necessarily a classic of great literature, but a great read nonetheless.

I got this book as a gift, and was a little skeptical about whether or not I'd like it. I was surprised when I found myself staying up into the wee hours of the night unable to put it down until I was at the final page.

Dubus' novel tells a...

Pros: Fine writing, fascinating plot, wonderfully drawn characters
Cons: none

This is an incredible book, one which I had trouble putting down so I could go to bed. It's my first Dubus book, but it certainly won't be my last. The writing is excellent.
The plot is so fascinating: The Iranian family trying to cope with...

Pros: Great In-Depth characters! Very Passionate!
Cons: Downright depressing!

Although my title pretty much says it all, House of Sand and Fog is a book I loved to hate! With his compelling characters Andre Dubus III, sucks you into his story of a house wanted by all characters (for different reasons), in a way that you almost...