joshs827's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The plot’s repetition leaves something to be desired. The alliteration of the scenario at hand is conducive to sleep. It was a struggle for me to finish this book.
kdtoverbooked's review against another edition
3.0
What a messed up book. It’s filled with sadness and bad decisions. I reflect on how I do sometimes find myself to be like the Colonel hanging onto to something with all my might because I feel it’s my right, but sometimes you have to see that the cost isn’t worth the reward. I felt like there was just “too much” in this book but did find myself drawn to figuring out what would happen. Not a page Turner by any means, but it might make you think.
dharper82's review against another edition
5.0
What a great story. I found myself getting angry at some of the characters and feeling compassionate towards others. I have never felt so frustrated while reading a story!
pharmdad2007's review against another edition
4.0
Brutal, tragic, and real in a very Shakespearean way. The tone is masterful, and the story keeps you interested throughout.
wizard_of_uhhh's review against another edition
5.0
A devastating story of an initially simple conflict that spirals out of control. The author does a brilliant job at representing both sides of the conflict, making the reader empathise with each character showing us just how blurred the lines are between right and wrong, victim and perpetrator.
Once the scene is set, the events play out like a Greek tragedy, inevitable, fateful, almost predetermined - and yet, for all that, the conclusion is no less shocking.
Do not read lightly.
Once the scene is set, the events play out like a Greek tragedy, inevitable, fateful, almost predetermined - and yet, for all that, the conclusion is no less shocking.
Do not read lightly.
snowedinwithmykindle's review against another edition
4.0
A friend had me watch this movie shortly after its release and I remember thinking it was a complete waste of time. But over the years I have seen the novel by Andre Dubus III pop up on book lists and thought to myself "maybe one day I will read it". I'm glad I did.
Like many other reviewers have said, the beginning of the book was pretty slow and left me feeling underwhelmed. The language and writing style was hard to wrap my head around. That being said, once I started seeing the plot unfold I was so caught up in the intertwining stories that I didn't want to put it down.
Dubus reached that perfect blend of mystery, danger, love and sex that had me wanting more. He makes you question who the "bad guy" is throughout and truly empathize with ALL the characters. Now I am on the search to find the movie and rewatch it with a new found respect.
Like many other reviewers have said, the beginning of the book was pretty slow and left me feeling underwhelmed. The language and writing style was hard to wrap my head around. That being said, once I started seeing the plot unfold I was so caught up in the intertwining stories that I didn't want to put it down.
Dubus reached that perfect blend of mystery, danger, love and sex that had me wanting more. He makes you question who the "bad guy" is throughout and truly empathize with ALL the characters. Now I am on the search to find the movie and rewatch it with a new found respect.
zyzah's review
3.0
Before you lay your hands on this book. Just know that it's a 365 page story about two people fighting over a house. A HOUSE! I mean, A HOUSE, literally, like a building with roof and stuff where people live.
Now decide if that piques your interest or pisses you.
Now decide if that piques your interest or pisses you.
kkop12's review against another edition
4.0
So this book was a bit slow, and at one point I didn't even know if I really liked it. Then in the final 50 pages it all came together. It is a book about flaws. How our perceptions of others are often wrong. How we are all flawed, but it is our decisions that make or break us. In the end, I was mad at all the characters and felt empathy too.
dylanperry's review against another edition
5.0
So. Good.
House of Sand and Fog is the most well known novel of Andre Dubus III and I'm glad it is. I'd gone into this hesitant--so much hype surrounded it and for me usually that leads to disappointment--but I come away from it feeling it may have usurped Townie as my favorite Dubus book. This story was beautiful from start to heartbreaking finish. And the audio book in particular was well done, both Dubus and his wife narrating and both doing a superb job. At first I wasn't sure of Dubus' accent and thought Fontaine's reading was far too fast, but they both soon grew on me and now I cannot imagine reading the book without their voices in my head. My one complaint would be that some of the Lester chapters dragged for me, especially the ones delving into his backstory. However these were a few pages, at most. The rest are gold.
House of Sand and Fog is the most well known novel of Andre Dubus III and I'm glad it is. I'd gone into this hesitant--so much hype surrounded it and for me usually that leads to disappointment--but I come away from it feeling it may have usurped Townie as my favorite Dubus book. This story was beautiful from start to heartbreaking finish. And the audio book in particular was well done, both Dubus and his wife narrating and both doing a superb job. At first I wasn't sure of Dubus' accent and thought Fontaine's reading was far too fast, but they both soon grew on me and now I cannot imagine reading the book without their voices in my head. My one complaint would be that some of the Lester chapters dragged for me, especially the ones delving into his backstory. However these were a few pages, at most. The rest are gold.
dylanperry's review against another edition
5.0
Reread: April, 2018. This was like catching up with an old friend. It's stayed with me since I first read it back in 2016, and I'm glad to say it was just as good--if not better--the second time around.