House of Sand and Fog: Summary and book reviews of House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III, plus links to an excerpt from House of Sand and Fog and a biography of Andre Dubus III.

In this riveting novel of almost unbearable suspense, three fragile yet determined people become dangerously entangled in a relentlessly escalating crisis. Colonel Behrani, once a wealthy man in Iran, is now a struggling immigrant willing to bet everything he has to restore his family's dignity. Kathy Niccolo is a recovering alcoholic and addict whose house is all she has left, and who refuses to let her hard-won stability slip away from her. Sheriff Lester Burdon, a married man who finds himself falling in love with Kathy, becomes obsessed with helping her fight for justice. Drawn by their competing desires to the same small house in the California hills--and what it represents to each of them--and doomed by their tragic inability to understand one another, the three converge on an explosive collision course. Combining unadorned realism with profound empathy, House of Sand and Fog is a devastating exploration of the American Dream gone awry.

Media Reviews

The Boston Globe A page-turner with a beating heart.   San Diego Union Tribune An utterly believable, riveting journey--. Dubus has written a story that one cannot help but care about.   The Baltimore Sun A mixture of classical tragedy perfectly imbued with film noir...the work of a writer who is the real thing.   Boston Magazine Dubus proves himself both an exquisitely careful craftsman and a painstaking recorder of society.   Washington Post Book World Elegant and powerful...an unusual and volatile...literary thriller.   The Philadelphia Inquirer Exceptional storytelling, true to life--searing and insightful--. You can't help but be impressed.   Los Angeles Times The most rending kind of war is not between two hatreds, but between two hopes--. Dubus sets out the growing confrontation with chilly ingenuity and a remarkably observant compassion--. A fine and prophetic novel.   San Francisco Chronicle It is rare these days to encounter a novel that follows the rules of Greek tragedy--. Dubus is a taker of risks--. A craftsman of character and dialogue, Dubus has dared to push his limits.   Seattle Weekly A poignant drama that is engrossing--. A book full of longing, a vivid and exquisitely realized snapshot of America's underside.   Mirabella Unputdownable--a page-turner that's a mind-opener--a thriller with moral complexity.

Recent Reader Reviews

Rated of 5 by Helen M.
House of Sand and Fog
This book was indeed a page turning! I had a hard time putting it down. Bravo author!!!!!

Rated of 5 by sheela
The House of Sand and fog
The book is a fast paced book that had me hooked on to it. I could not put it down till I was done reading it. It is certainly a good book for a book club that would spark an animated discussion.

Rated of 5 by Anonymous
Great novel....decent ending

Rated of 5 by aileen
This book was amazing. i loved it from start to finish. I saw the movie first, but that is what encouraged me to read such a wonderful book. Although some of the characters DO tick me off a little.. like lester.. he made me mad because of the...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Sharon
This is one of the worst books I have ever read, filled with wholesale violence, blood, anger, stupidity, and characters none of which I gave a damn about. I cannot believe that they made a movie out of it. I was lured into buying it and reading...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Gingerkate
I thought this one of the most intelligent novels I have read, in that the characters are constructed so carefully that the devastating outcome of their actions becomes totally believable. It isn't the sort of novel I'd usually choose (Margaret...   Read More

...9 More Reader Reviews

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