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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
I ended up reading this book until 6 am this morning. It was excellent! Often books told from two different perspectives irritate me, because I'm more invested in one character than another, but this book moved seamlessly from character to character. The balance between characters was perfect. I enjoyed the fact that there's no obvious protagonist or antagonist. I can see reasons for both Kathy and Behrani getting the bungalow. The ending was somewhat unsatisfying, though. The author felt in a way like he just wanted to end it quickly.
I object to the star system for rating this book. This was definitely a "good" book, but I did not like it.
It was an insightful look into how human beings can be so self-involved that they make choices which may be evil, though they probably wouldn't have if the situation had just not deteriorated. It is also shines a light on the complexities of land-ownership issues, which is bold and worthy. (Yes, the situation is contrived and unlikely but this is fiction, and those are plot devices). I always appreciate an author illustrating the value of respecting different perspectives, and that was perhaps the central theme of this book.
However, I really didn't like the story. The suffering they endured because of and inspite of each other was unpleasant and disappointing. There was no happy ending. Also, the first half of the book was so slow it took me weeks to get thru. I finally had to read a few pages of the last part to see if there was something there that intrigued me enough to read it all. And there was, though it was nightmarish.
It was an insightful look into how human beings can be so self-involved that they make choices which may be evil, though they probably wouldn't have if the situation had just not deteriorated. It is also shines a light on the complexities of land-ownership issues, which is bold and worthy. (Yes, the situation is contrived and unlikely but this is fiction, and those are plot devices). I always appreciate an author illustrating the value of respecting different perspectives, and that was perhaps the central theme of this book.
However, I really didn't like the story. The suffering they endured because of and inspite of each other was unpleasant and disappointing. There was no happy ending. Also, the first half of the book was so slow it took me weeks to get thru. I finally had to read a few pages of the last part to see if there was something there that intrigued me enough to read it all. And there was, though it was nightmarish.
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12764359
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12764359
Hanging onto the past, looking toward the future, dispelling the myth of the American dream -- it's all wrapped up in the fight for a house between the Iranian man who bought it at auction and the American homeowner who was evicted from it for failing to pay her taxes. Both are equal parts right and wrong in their assertions, but stubborn enough not to concede until this house ends up being the demise of both. this book is a tragedy of epic proportions. I appreciate Dubus's ability to go back and forth between the voices, taking us in the minds of the main characters. I felt empathy and compassion and a connection to both of the main characters when I was in their heads, and thought it an importnat reminder that there are two sides to every story. However, he lost me in the second half when he suddenly switched from this first person tone he'd embraced for the first 200 pages and turned to an omniscient voice for a few chapters.
WHAT THE HOLY FUCK JUST HAPPENED?!?!?!
*A-hem* Pardon me.
Fantastically and engagingly written, with some very unexpected turns at the end of the story. I like that no one character is entirely good or bad - they all have likable and awful qualities. I can't help but feel, though, that Kathy and Lester didn't get what they deserved at the end. I'm no judge, but neither of them really acknowledged the weight of their crimes and how they terrorized the Behranis. Although, I'm also really pissed at Col. Behrani for fucking murdering his wife and then committing suicide. What a jackass! That wasn't his decision to make for his wife, even if we were in his head and could see exactly why he made the choices he did.
*A-hem* Pardon me.
Fantastically and engagingly written, with some very unexpected turns at the end of the story. I like that no one character is entirely good or bad - they all have likable and awful qualities. I can't help but feel, though, that Kathy and Lester didn't get what they deserved at the end. I'm no judge, but neither of them really acknowledged the weight of their crimes and how they terrorized the Behranis. Although, I'm also really pissed at Col. Behrani for fucking murdering his wife and then committing suicide. What a jackass! That wasn't his decision to make for his wife, even if we were in his head and could see exactly why he made the choices he did.
This was a very different book than just about any other. The plot was so simple and simultaneously twisted - very dramatic and detailed unfolding of this tragic story. I am amazed at the author's skill in presenting the story without judgment or bias, but truly equal voices on all sides. Remarkable.
I was particularly moved by his vivid descriptions of the Behrani family characters. I feel like I know them completely.
I wish there was a lot less language in here. It bothered me, but didn't stand in the way of the story. Just would have preferred much less of it. Might have been 5 stars without that and the unnecessary graphic sexual descriptions along the way.
I was particularly moved by his vivid descriptions of the Behrani family characters. I feel like I know them completely.
I wish there was a lot less language in here. It bothered me, but didn't stand in the way of the story. Just would have preferred much less of it. Might have been 5 stars without that and the unnecessary graphic sexual descriptions along the way.
You'll become as frustrated as the characters are as their miscommunications increase. The ending seems at once tragic and wholly inevitable.