House of Sand and Fog (Oprah's Book Club) (Paperback)

Author Dubus tells the story from the perspective of three characters: Kathy Nicolo, who owns and loses a modest, 3-bedroom bungalow in northern California and who is a recovering coke addict and alcoholic; a former colonel from the Shah's Iranian military and now a legal citizen of America who acquires Kathy's house through a county auction; and an intelligent though troubled and dissatisfied American policemen who starts a relationship with Kathy after serving the official eviction notice

This is a book as much about the effects of bureaucratic mistakes and their attendant nightmares, as it is about people and their almost fated inabilities to break free of bad habits and destructive behaviours. At the same time, it's about life in a free country, dreams of betterment, and shaking free of the past.

Big themes. Well handled.

The different perspectives show the American dream and our unalienable rights --- shelter, prosperity, the pursuit of happiness or, failing that, at least a decent enough relationship. The reader is never really certain which character deserves the most empathy; they each have their fatal flaws and also their very real charms.

As the story builds to its tragic conclusion, you will find yourself completely gripped and increasingly worried. This is a page-turner. And it's very, very good. While the book could have done with some good editing towards the end --- maybe ten or 15 fewer pages, especially regarding Les Burdon, the policeman --- it is well worth reading and really memorable.

Highly recommended.

Kathy Nicolo is a depressed, quietly self-destructive woman; a recovering alcoholic and addict. Describing the success of her recovery program, Kathy says, "I had already stopped wanting what I'd been craving off and on since I was fifteen, for Death to come take me the way the wind does a dried leaf out on its limb." Her house, in the California hills, is all she has. It is a symbol of stability, and a reminder of a gentler past. She is adamant in her refusal to give-up her home because of a bureaucratic error.

Sheriff Lester Burdon bears terrible news when he delivers the eviction papers to Kathy. She confides in him, and he becomes obsessed with helping her fight for justice. Lester finds himself falling deeply in love with Kathy, although he is married and has addiction problems, and much personal baggage, of his own.

The contested ownership of the house on Bisgrove Street is the fulcrum of this intense novel's plot. Three people compete with increasing desperation, for the title to one small house, which has a different meaning for each of them. The tragedy lies in the inability of all three to understand one another.

"House Of Sand And Fog" is told from two points of view. And Andre Dubus III, is a master at describing each character's thoughts, and a wide range of emotions, very credibly, with much empathy, conviction and compassion. All of his characters are complex, well developed and believable. Dubus' simple narrative style is elegant, dark, and rich in detail. The plot is riveting - filled with suspense! The novel builds to a tragic, and almost inevitable, conclusion. This book is hard to put down. Highly recommended!
JANA