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House of Sand and Fog is well written and engaging, presenting the story of a struggle for a house from the perspective of two different characters. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the book is how each character presents the other as the villain, leaving the reader to decide for himself or herself who is in the right and who is in the wrong... or if they are both wrong together. It moves at a good pace, but those who are reading for entertainment value will not likely find it. The book's message is subtle but apparent and a good selection for literary discussion. For those who are offended by strong language and sexually evocative scenes, I would recommend avoiding this book, as the author is blunt and uncompromising. Otherwise, it was a good read and recommended.
Despite a storyline that sounds less-than-inspiring, HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG captured my attention within the first few pages. The book begins in the stunningly realistic first-person voice of Massoud Behrani, once a Colonel in the Shah's army, now hunkered down in the United States because he and his family are marked for death in their mother country of Iran. Unable to find a job, Behrani is reduced to working for the county, picking garbage from the side of a California highway. Enter Kathy Nicolo, a former drug addict, now barely keeping her head above water after her husband left her. The bungalow she inherited from her father is swept out from under her because of a delinquent tax bill she doesn't actually owe. Deputy Sheriff Lester Burdon takes a personal interest in Kathy's case, and becomes enmeshed in her struggle to win back her home. Dubus skillfully weaves the story of Kathy and Lester--a doomed, hopelessly codependent dance--against the backdrop of their fight for justice and the return of Kathy's house. What truly makes this story come alive in the reader's mind is the amazing voice of each character. Dubus flawlessly takes us inside the heads of a proud and willful Iranian colonel, a troubled young woman, and an equally troubled law officer. The conflict continues to escalate, despite the fact that there truly are no "bad guys"--as readers, Dubus makes certain we understand BOTH sides. What truly makes this story come alive in the reader's mind is the amazing voice of each character. Dubus flawlessly takes us inside the heads of a proud and willful Iranian colonel, a troubled young woman, and an equally troubled law officer. The conflict continues to escalate, despite the fact that there truly are no "bad guys"--as readers, Dubus makes certain we understand BOTH sides. If anything, the antagonist of this story is exactly what the book jacket says, the character's "tragic inability to understand each other."Read full review
As a devoted bookseller, I try to read every book I list. After reading some 200+ novels this and last year alone, I have to say this is the most realistic novel I have read to date. Beginning with a local bureaucratic mistake, a simple misspelling, lives are unalterably changed. A young woman, abandoned by her husband and making ends meet by housecleaning becomes intimately involved with a dissatisfied policeman, one who assists in evicting her from her home and a once wealthy, disenfranchised emigre Iranian family striving for the American dream clash, both seeking the same goals: belonging and stability. This novel addresses many issues: addictions and recovery, love and loss, wealth and poverty, family values, escapism and responsibility, ingrained cultural differences, and the ineffectiveness of governments. There is no happy ending to this book which is a true reflection of life. I highly recommend this to anyone 17 years and older. A definite must read.Read full review
I bought this book because I had already read it...several years ago. Strange, but I felt the need to read it again. Such a wonderful, tragic story of miscommunication, unhappiness and love. Love for a home or actually a HOUSE, need for a life, to be free of family, to keep a family, to be free of self-doubts, free of the past and yet retain old customs, free of want and need and fear. A California county foreclosure notice is sent to the wrong address and the homeowner evicted. House is sold to a Persian man (a former friend of the Shah), who is living a pretend life in America with his wife and son. The evicted homeowner (who is having an affair with the married sheriff who evicted her) has too many problems on her plate and each problem is compounded into a tragedy with nothing but the greatest tragedy to release them all.Read full review
This is such a deep, moving book about the struggles of two people fighting to achieve the so-called American Dream. I love the vivid descriptions and the emotions conveyed in each page. Once I got started, I couldn't put it down. I bought this book because I wanted to lend it to all my friends so they could have the same experience I did. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a rich, emotional story. Watch the movie after you read this book (not before): )
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