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 enlarge | Author: Andre Dubus Iii
Publisher: Vintage
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy Used: $0.01
You Save: $14.94 (100%)
New (70) Used (1446) Collectible (15) from $0.01
Rating:  749 reviews
Sales Rank: 13462
Media: Paperback
Edition: Trade
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 365
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.9
ISBN: 0375727345
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780375727344
ASIN: 0375727345
Publication Date: March 1, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Help save a tree. Buy all your used books from Green Earth Books. Read -> Recycle -> Reuse!
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| Customer Reviews:
 A character study of the human condition October 30, 2007
I give credit to any writer who can take a seemingly dull concept and turn it into solid read. The overwhelming feel of the book is that of people who have failed to live up to expectaions from themsevlves and others. All of the characters are inherently human. Likeable and disgusting in there mortal failings. The pathos and depression give the book a vibrance that belies the story of a legal and, ultimately, moral fight over a small house in southern California. In the end, there are no clear cut answers given, no closure for any of the characters, but that is what makes it so compelling. One of the most human books I have ever read.
At some point though, you want there to be some sort of resolution. During the latter third of the book, time feels stretched, but not in a way that reflects the action of the novel. It malingers too long.
Other than that, I really enjoyed the book. For good or ill, Debus is the type of writer who leaves nothing to the imagination, the readers have full insight into all the motivations for all the charaters. He "tells" alot amidst the texture of the environment, does not show as much.
 underappeciated gem of a novel October 27, 2007
This is a great story about an immigrant who comes to the
US, looking to escape the desperate situation in his home
country. He longs to achieve the American Dream but only
one thing is standing in his way: money. He quickly realizes
that the only way to achieve that is through real-estate
and buys a house. Only problem is that the house formerly
belonged to an irate woman, Kathy Niccolo, whose down on
her luck. The two fight over the home and tragedy ensues.
I can't understand the other reviewers low ratings. I saw
elements of Greek tragedy and literary symbolism in the plot.
I'll remember this book with all its trappings for years to come
and for me, as a writer, that's the marking of a classic novel.
 Immigrant experience is the only redeeming feature of the story August 21, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The story drags. It is depressing, as others have written. Multiple layers of tragedy, but the most compelling perhaps is the tale of prejudice experienced by the family. There are better ways to spend time than reading this book.
 Hmmm... August 20, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I will say that the story line held my interest, the plot was plausible, even the depiction of the cultural differences and what havoc that wrought in the clash between the characters was fascinating and truthful. I cared about each of the characters and was riveted to find out what would happen to them next. The BIG downer of this book, however, was all of the cursing and way too much explicit sex. I realize this was somewhat important for developing the characters of Lester and Kathy, but the mere suggestion of it would have been enough. Instead, it was excessive, dirty, and over the top in my opinion. Overall, I'm glad I read this strong emotion and thought provoking story, but I would be reluctant, embarrassed even, to recommend it without warning of the excessive and explicit sex and cursing.
 I can't believe this made Oprah's book list August 7, 2007
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
If you think that you are too happy with your life and you want waste a couple hours, then this is the book for you. I can't believe that this book was made into a movie or that Oprah put this on her book club list. It is that bad.
I did find it interesting to review the cultural differences and expectations of different societies, but other than that it was extremely depressing and a total waste of time. If you want to know the ending - everyone either dies or goes to jail. What an uplifting story - not!
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