ARTFUL READERS CLUB
Andre Dubus III's HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG
November 29, 2013
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My heart and stomach are STILL full from Thanksgiving's feast! Michael and I celebrated in New York City... Michelle's choir was invited to sing Handel's MESSIAH with several other choral groups at Lincoln Center. Very exciting (and a proud moment) to see our daughter on the Lincoln Center stage... and our Thanksgiving dinner was a joyous, reminiscent family reunion in Brooklyn. Even Michael, who doesn't like traveling to NYC, enjoyed himself!!
It's hard to imagine that it's been almost a year since we've started on Art and Sole's ARTFUL READERS CLUB journey. I must say I've enjoyed every step of it...my books (for the most part) as well as reviews from other group members...and of course, everyone's art! My "to be read" book list has grown to an impossible length...too long for this lifetime and I thank you for that!! :)
My book this month is Andre Dubus III's HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG.
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It's been praised to the heavens, but I struggled through it. Parts of it I found enjoyable, but basically, I wasn't crazy about the characters. It's the story of a bungalow in the foggy hills of California and two opposing sets of people who feel that it's rightfully theirs. The Behranis are a family displaced from their homeland of Iran due to revolution. To them, this house is a last chance to restore some dignity to their lives. Kathy Nicolo is a recovering alcoholic and addict. To her, this house is her last refuge. She was left the house by her father, but it was confiscated from her unfairly (by the government) for tax purposes. The Behranis purchased it legally at auction. Add to the mix, a Deputy Sheriff who meets Kathy, falls in love with her and is bent on helping her reclaim her home. The rest of the book is the story of struggle between the two, leading to a dramatic and sad conclusion.
HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG is one of the most depressing books I've read in a long time...all 365 pages of it! That includes books about the Holocaust and WWII... that's saying something!! Each character has a sad story...a struggle of some kind, but I had a hard time caring for them. I guess the overwhelming sadness of the book made it difficult for me to read. In addition, the writing style based on long paragraphs and long descriptions didn't help. Bottom line, I really WOULDN'T recommend this book. It was like sitting with a friend who's always complaining and always has big problems...no sunshine at all!!
I'm hoping December's book will be one I enjoy...and I hope you enjoyed YOUR book this month!
Hugs to you... until my last review for 2013 December 27th. Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for reading this for me! I am with you and you saved me! I don't know I just deal with some raw realities in my world and don't feel the need to read a story about it... unless it is a personal story of recovery... I will make an exception for that.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I adore your art. And very big congrats about your daughter!
For a book that sounds depressing and sad, your art doesn't convey it. I thought it was a beautiful scene you created, with two loving people snuggled together looking at a beautiful lake that the early morning sunlight would soon clear the fog away. I suspect that's the thing about art. It's so subjective.
ReplyDeleteBut I did enjoy the art, although I doubt I would have any interest in that book.
I read this a few years ago and thought it was a powerful book, but very depressing.Love your fog piece.
ReplyDeleteI don't blame you. Depressing is not for me either. Love the photo layering.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I found your blog. Is there any way to sign up to follow it?
ReplyDeleteGreat piece of fog art! Shall cross this off my list as I find life in general can be a bit depressing - never mind reading about it!
ReplyDeleteI too had heard so many good reviews about this book, keeping it in mind to read someday. Then late one night I was sat working and the film came on tv. Now I know that films are never as good as the book, but it was hard to watch, truly depressing and totally put me off the book. Love the ethereal artwork.
ReplyDeleteYour artwork gives an impression of mysteries to be uncovered, and a cold dampness that expresses the sadness you found in the book. I agree that we don't want to be reading about sadness and problems all the time, and so I appreciate the advice to give this a miss.
ReplyDeleteI've been an ARC backslider at the end of the year sadly - events so time-taking that I never got around to reading at all.
Best wishes for Christmas for you and yours, and I hope that 2014 will be good for you in every way.