\"House of Sand and Fog\": Comparison Between Novel and Film

¶ … House of Sand and Fog" book and movie compare and contrast

"House of Sand and Fog" -- comparison between novel and film

Andre Dubus III's novel "House of Sand and Fog" presents a story involving two protagonists who end up in a chain of trouble and deaths as a consequence of fighting over ownership of a house. Kathy Nicolo loses her house to the authorities as a result of an error in the state's tax office and Massoud Behrani, a former Iranian colonel who is exiled, buys the structure with the intention of renewing it and selling it for a higher price. A conflict ensues as Kathy tries to recover her home while Massour is reluctant to give up the building unless he is paid a correct price.

One of the most important differences between the novel and Vadim Perelman's 2003 motion picture House of Sand and Fog involves Lester Burdon's character. While the book provides information concerning how his background shaped his character and influenced most of his behaviors, the film does not make it possible for viewers to understand him. This changes people's understanding of Lester, as it seems that his actions are irresponsible. Furthermore, this element somewhat disrupts the relationship between the two central characters and (at times) prevents viewers from becoming better acquainted with it.

Massoud's character is different in the novel from his portrayal in the book. The film tends to show him as a person who viewers would immediately hate -- he is a stereotypical Middle Eastern former military individual in the U.S. He refuses to do what is seemingly the right thing in spite of the fact that Kathy goes through great trouble in order to change his mind. The book shows a somewhat more sympathetic image of the man -- this is a person who has been through a great deal of trouble in his life and who is struggling to provide for his family.

The director also chose to portray the ending differently, as it shows the colonel arriving home after finding out that his son is dead, killing his wife, and then committing suicide. Kathy attempts to bring Massoud back to life when she finds the two bodies. In contrast, the book shows the colonel meeting Kathy when he arrives home and trying to strangle her. He thinks she is dead and proceeds to murder his wife and kills himself after that. Kathy wakes up in a hospital and is taken to jail when she recovers. Lester is also in prison as a consequence of his involvement in the conflict.