Rating: 
Summary: my opinion
Review: this book is about the real world and about the reall troubles that citizens and non citizens go through. finding work and a place to live, and being able to keep that job and home. the four main characters are in thier own way about the same all trying to find their place in the world of skeptics. candido trying to provide for his family and take care of his pregnant wife after they crossed the border illegally. Delany meets rather runs over candido and just blows him off gives him some money and worries more about his car then the guy that he just ran over. I would have just payed more attention to the person on the ground in front of my car rathere than the car, one thing I didn't like about the book other than the book itself. I have to say that it if well writen but not a book for people that can't handle racial comments. steriotypes on two races mexicans and white americans. Just an overall hard book to deal with, I couldn't read and deal with all the comment about both races since I am both. so if you can't handle racial comments I wouldn't read the book. If you want to get a better look at what other races go through then I say jump in to this book and have a reading fest.
Rating: 
Summary: Powerful Issues Addressed Realisitically
Review: This novel was very interesing because of the political and social issues it addresses. For example the issue of immigration, racism and class or societal status. I was amazed at the way Boyle was able to get inside the mind of the characters and what they were going through. I liked the way Boyle opened up my eyes to immagration by giving me a glimpse of what an immagrant may go through (or at least his idea of what an immmigrant may go through). The book shows that many immigrants are in search of the same things we all are, "The American Dream" if you will. This American ideal is a major theme running throughout the book. Its that idea of having a house, two cars and dog, being successful (granted it is different for everyone). The question this novel poses is what happens when immigrants begin to infringe on ones life, one goals and ones opportunity? Vivid description and realistic dialogue gives good structured insight on the way people live as a direct result of their environment. The reader is shown through the characters, the way we react and interact individually and as a people when a situation is presented. This book was very powerful in the statements it makes and also very enjoyable.
Rating: 
Summary: Deserves 6 stars!
Review: While reading House of Sand and Fog earlier this year, I was reminded of another book to read called The Tortilla Curtain by TC Boyle. Friends of mine who live in Southern California had recommended this book to me for sometime and shortly after I finished the Dubus book, I picked up Tortilla Curtain. Now that I've read both of these books I can't stop thinking about both of them, their stories, the characters or unbeliveable outcomes. And if I were to give House of Sand and Fog a 5 star rating, I would surely give 6 stars to The Tortilla Curtain.Tortilla Curtain is the phrase used to describe the thin borders between Mexico and the United States which immigrants cross over in their attempt to live better lives. In this "blow you away novel," TC Boyle offers his readers a plot and characters who are not only involved in the world of illegal aliens but whose lives will never be the same. And for many of us it is as if this novel's premise was lifted off the pages of our daily newspapers and one for which there is no easy solution. Candido along with his wife America are illegal aliens living in the canyons and brush areas of Southern California. When the book opens Candido is hit by a car driven by Delaney a writer for an environmental magazine. Although Candido hurries away from the scene for for fear of being caught and questioned his injuries prevent him from working for the next few days. In eloquent words, the author then describes how America seeks work and is both verbally and physically abused which causes Candido great regrets about crossing the border and bringing America to the US. At the same time nearby in a prosperous planned community, Delaney lives with his wife Kyra, a real estate broker, and her son. The residents of this community are hounded by intruding coyotes in their backyards as well as suspected illegal aliens who rob their homes. Plans are underway to erect a large fence which should keep out all intruders except that Delaney voices his concerns about the fence wondering if the residents aren't locking themselves into their fancy homes. But as the novel continues the people of this community only become more and more incensed and Delaney's words fall on deaf ears Soon enough, though, and after a series of events, Delaney, begins to feel differently about the fence. Even when he knows the truth, he finally becomes out of control concerning any and all who cross the borders illegally. And then one day Candido and Delaney finally meet up again, in what has to be one of the most gripping and stunning conclusions of any book. We read this book through chapters told in the alternating voices of Candido and Delaney until their two voices are ultimately linked together as one struggles against his better judgement and the other struggles to maintain his dignity. This is a powerful and masterful book which describes lives spiraling out of control and should have every reader asking themselves what they would do when faced with similar circumstances.
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