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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
Loved this book. Great writing to make a battle over a piece of property such a layered and taut thriller.
Gut wrenching, heart breaking, beautiful, fragile.
Great book!
One of those books that leaves you thinking about the characters even when you put the book down. I had heard about this book a long time ago but think the title mislead me. I thought it was about something totally different. But the story is about three people who come into each others lives in not so positive circumstances and just becomes this tradegic story for everyone involved. But the underlying theme I take away from the book is that there's more to peoples' stories than what they present on the surface.
One of those books that leaves you thinking about the characters even when you put the book down. I had heard about this book a long time ago but think the title mislead me. I thought it was about something totally different. But the story is about three people who come into each others lives in not so positive circumstances and just becomes this tradegic story for everyone involved. But the underlying theme I take away from the book is that there's more to peoples' stories than what they present on the surface.
The ultimate "downward spiral" book for me, as Dancer in the Dark is my ultimate downward spiral movie. I'm generally a fan of more
redemptive endings.
redemptive endings.
I was so frustrated while reading this book. I really don’t know why I didn’t feel more sorry for her.
I found this book really riveting. It is told from the viewpoint of several characters. All are flawed, but all have their reasons for why they do the things they do. The most likeable characters (in my opinion) were the Colonel's wife and son.
Later in the book, I do feel more drawn to one viewpoint than some of the others, mainly because of the actions of these characters.
One of the main characters, Kathy, is apparently unable to make good decisions. Because her husband left her and she used to be a drug addict, she should have some leeway when she sleeps with a married man, trespasses, gets drunk, and throws away the notices from the tax agency? One character, the Colonel's wife, is actually kind to her, but Kathy is more concerned with how she can manipulate her into persuading the Colonel to sell the house. Why in the world does Kathy live out of her car rather than go home to her family? The exchanges between her and her family do not make Kathy's decisions any more believable. It's not like Kathy was abused or molested by her family.
Yes, the Colonel is mean and prideful, but he works hard for his family and loves them more than anything. When Lester breaks into his house and holds his family hostage, it overshadows the Colonel's previous behavior.
Kathy has a chance to overcome her loser life by doing the right thing and helping the Behrainis, who were so kind to her when she almost died. Yet, she goes along with Lester because she still selfishly feels entitled to get her way.
Lester is weak-willed, and just as bad a bully as the prisoners that he captured.
Later in the book, I do feel more drawn to one viewpoint than some of the others, mainly because of the actions of these characters.
One of the main characters, Kathy, is apparently unable to make good decisions. Because her husband left her and she used to be a drug addict, she should have some leeway when she sleeps with a married man, trespasses, gets drunk, and throws away the notices from the tax agency? One character, the Colonel's wife, is actually kind to her, but Kathy is more concerned with how she can manipulate her into persuading the Colonel to sell the house. Why in the world does Kathy live out of her car rather than go home to her family? The exchanges between her and her family do not make Kathy's decisions any more believable. It's not like Kathy was abused or molested by her family.
Yes, the Colonel is mean and prideful, but he works hard for his family and loves them more than anything. When Lester breaks into his house and holds his family hostage, it overshadows the Colonel's previous behavior.
Kathy has a chance to overcome her loser life by doing the right thing and helping the Behrainis, who were so kind to her when she almost died. Yet, she goes along with Lester because she still selfishly feels entitled to get her way.
Lester is weak-willed, and just as bad a bully as the prisoners that he captured.
Reading this book felt like being on a roller coaster, situations escalating to the point of no return with an inevitable downward spiral, much like watching coins swirl around a wishing well. It's the ultimate story of what pride and fear and misunderstandings at their worst can bring about. My mom told me this story bothered her for days; I now see why.
A House of Sand and Fog is a unique story featuring three main characters whose lives collide. Kathy Nicolo is a recovering alcoholic and drug abuser whose husband has left her. She labors daily cleaning other people’s houses and lives in the home her father willed to her and her brother. The county takes possession of her abode for owed back taxes and puts the property up for auction where it is purchased at much less than its value by the desperate and scheming Massoud Amir Behrani. He is hoping to reside there for a short time and then flip the purchase to turn a large profit. When Sheriff Lester Burdon arrives in Kathy’s home announcing that she needs to vacate her property, he and Kathy meet. Neither of them is at first aware of their mutual fatal attraction.
This novel is not my typical genre, but was on my want to read list, so I decided to give it a go. It started out slow for me and I’ll admit I was almost bored with it. But, about halfway through things began to unravel at a much faster pace, and I could sense that disaster was on the horizon. I was finally intrigued, reading swiftly to find how it was all going to play out.
This novel is not my typical genre, but was on my want to read list, so I decided to give it a go. It started out slow for me and I’ll admit I was almost bored with it. But, about halfway through things began to unravel at a much faster pace, and I could sense that disaster was on the horizon. I was finally intrigued, reading swiftly to find how it was all going to play out.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great book that really speaks to how pride and other emotions get in the way of common sense and human decency.