House of Sand and Fog

ChaosTitan · Jul 29, 2006

I haven't read the book, and the movie made me want to avoid it at all costs. I rented the film because I'm a fan of Ron Eldard (Lester), and he tends to pick pretty unique roles (although I almost ran out of the room at the end of Bastard Out of Carolina).

Even with its pedigreed cast (and the incomparable Shohreh Aghdashloo) I found the film too slowly paced. I didn't like any of the characters, although I eventually found myself sympathizing with the Colonel. The ending depressed me.

My roommate had read the book before we watched the film, and insisted the book was better (aren't they always?). I may read it one day, if only because it has been suggested as a good study of alternating first person POV narration.

MyFirstMystery · Aug 13, 2006

I was surprised to find that I didn't like the book or the movie. The quality of writing was excellent, but for me it felt like a group of annoying people doing stupid things until they came to a bad end. I didn't get anything out of the experience of reading it.

Glad others liked it though. I see I'm in the minority.

MFM

aruna · Aug 20, 2006

I saw the movie and was very disappointed. The book was much better. Though Ben Kingsley was excellent. Kathy came across as totally lame and bland. I couldn't believe she'd react that way when they came to reposses the house; hardly a protest. Les too was boring.
The book had so many more layers to it.

TrainofThought · Nov 11, 2006

aruna said:
To all those who've read it: which of the characters irritated you the most? They were all flawed but had redeeming qualities, and all had the capacity to piss the reader off big time. I had a few words with the friend who lent me the book last night; she said she identified with Kathy completely in that she also does not open some of her mail, but that Behrani was the one she couldn't stand.

aruna said:
In my case, I could most identify with Behrani and his need for stability for his family (being in a similar situation, I guess!) but I uttery and completely couldn't stand Les. I was totaly exasperated with him; without his fooling around the other two could have sorted out the mess in time.

SPOILER

Except, after Behrani died, I had to wonder how he got to write the story! A total surprise, BTW. I just wasn't expecting it.

I finished the book today and was somewhat disappointed. The writing is very good, but I could not identify with any of the characters. I was aggravated from the start by their stupid choices. All of the characters irritated me. I had a problem connecting with their thoughts and decisions most of the time and already knew nothing would turn out right. Lester’s infidelity caused a lot of problems with the situation, but I don’t think Kathy was bright enough to work it out with Behrani and he was too stubborn to come to an agreement. My two cents.

aruna · Nov 11, 2006

You;re right. And in the meantime - though I stil think the writing and characterisation is great, I've come to see a huge plot hole which pretty much spoils the whole book for me:

When they sold her house why didn't they give her the equity? If she only owed a couple hundred how come they got to keep all of it?

eldragon · Nov 12, 2006

I never read the book, but I very much enjoyed the movie.

Unique · Nov 12, 2006

aruna said:
When they sold her house why didn't they give her the equity? If she only owed a couple hundred how come they got to keep all of it?

It was my impression that they kept it for back taxes. That's why it was sold in the first place.

I never did finish this book; I tried, but I liked the behrani character (the former officer). When it switched from his POV to hers it wasn't as interesting. I wanted to hear his story; she was a dingbat. I know plenty of those. YMMV

aruna · Nov 12, 2006

Unique said:
It was my impression that they kept it for back taxes. That's why it was sold in the first place.

Oh OK. I agree with you about whathername. Peole like her swarm around in their millions.

sunna · Jul 3, 2007

Andre Dubus III - suggestions?

So my husband's birthday is this Sunday, and I want to get him a good book as part of his present. We both loved House of Sand and Fog, and I know he'd like to read more of Dubus' (III) work. All I've found on the B&N site is The Cage Keeper & Other Stories and Bluesman.

Anybody willing to recommend one over the other? I haven't read either.

Will Lavender · Jul 3, 2007

I also really, really liked The House of Sand and Fog.

You could get your husband something that is Dubusesque. I recommend John Burnham Schwartz's Reservation Road. The way the book moves is similar to The House of Sand and Fog, and the tension Schwartz builds is also something like the way Dubus III did it in his book -- by switching narrators and perspectives.

Reservation Road is coming to the theaters this summer, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Ruffalo, and Jennifer Connelly.

gerrydodge · Jul 3, 2007

Will Lavender said:
I also really, really liked The House of Sand and Fog.

You could get your husband something that is Dubusesque. I recommend John Burnham Schwartz's Reservation Road. The way the book moves is similar to The House of Sand and Fog, and the tension Schwartz builds is also something like the way Dubus III did it in his book -- by switching narrators and perspectives.

Reservation Road is coming to the theaters this summer, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Ruffalo, and Jennifer Connelly.

I read RESERVATION ROAD in late spring when I was supposed to be grading essay. It is a vey fine novel. I've just finished my WIP and I'm now beginning a novel in that same format: three different voices telling a tragic story that ultimately involves all three of them.

sunna · Jul 3, 2007

Thanks Will! I was hoping I'd hear from you, as I thought I remembered that you were a Sand and Fog fan as well.

I'll definitely give Reservation Road a shot. I definitely loved the way the perspective shifts in Sand and Fog drove the story.

Thanks for the recommendation!

House of Sand and Fog

ChaosTitan

Around

MyFirstMystery

Having Fun with Words

aruna

On a wing and a prayer

TrainofThought

A flowering bud of bitchiness

aruna

On a wing and a prayer

eldragon

in a van down by the river

Unique

Agent of Doom

aruna

On a wing and a prayer

sunna

Will Lavender

Everything is what it seems.

gerrydodge

sunna