Customer Reviews

The House of Pain

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mr. Lieb has written a masterpiece, between the law and Vietnam I cannot think of any better I have read,His feel and discription of the camaraderie of all veteran's is right on target. No friends will ever be closer than those from the service. I will read all his books and praise his work highly. Semper Fi.

This is a book with an a-g-e-n-d-a. The author is passionately loyal to the Marines and Vietnam veterans. This a flaw and a virtue. A flaw because he sanctifies, hence simplifies, the Marines as an organization and Vietnam vets as individuals. A virtue because it binds his story and strengthens his portrayal of the repressed and anguished John Dietrich. I had a hard time suspending disbelief.

I awarded the 3rd star because the first quarter of the book moved very well, set the scene quickly and entertainly, and had good momentum. The other 3/4 slowed down, and I found myself skipping areas that consisted solely of impassioned speeches. I just couldn't credit a recovery group that contained all loyal, subservient and committed members. Surely, there must have been a bad apple or two. I have known many former and present Marines. I have never met one who was not proud of his service, but I also have never met one who was completely obsessed with his "Marineness." Oddly enough, the tormented John Dietrich did come off as a "real" person. I felt pity and admiration in equal parts for this man.

The trauma of years in Vietnam follows an ex-marine into civilian life and ultimately results in his trial on a homicide charge. Move over Grisham. The courtroom drama that follows is enlighting as to the process and doesn't permit one to put the book down.

I found the book very good reading. The more I got into it, the more I found myself unable to put it down. I highly recommend it.

I'ke read all of Franklin's books and this one is one of the best I've had the pleasure of reading. It draws all of his Viet Nam experiences into the present and develops the theme into a passion, trust, love and a search for justice. The best! Five STARS.

I have been Frank's friend for a number of years and read all of his books. This one was another great one, but not his best. I suggest you read all the others, especially his first to let you decide.

Did Kirkus read the same book I just read? Better to listen to Stephen Coonts and Thomas Fleming with regard to THE HOUSE OF PAIN.

Great book.

A Vietnam marine vet with Post Traumatic Distress Syndrome rescues his 15 year old goddaughter from her supposed kidnappers. All I can say is Wow! I couldn't put the book down. Strange thing is, the book has a fairly dull cover and a blurb that normally wouldn't interest me at all; I can't even remember when or why I bought it; but it just goes to show, can't judge a book by it's cover.... Great great read!

What I loved about this book was how it combined suspense with some really tough moral issues. In it, a Vietnam vet kills while fighting a crippling flashback, and all because he was made to believe that a girl's life was in danger. Is he guilty--or is the system that put him there to blame? This kept me up half the night and made me think, which is why I gave it 5 stars. Leib's writing draws you in immediately and keeps you hooked for the long haul. He is definately and author to watch.

Can't agree with Kirkus -- this is the authentic voice of Leib at his best -- his ear for the contemporary vernacular is keen, I close my eyes and hear the voices of real people. The same goes for the settings in Leib's books, his Bridgeport is as real as his Hong Kong and Viet Nam in other works. I actually liked the post kidnapping part of the book best, with its realistic delineation of the widely varying mental lives and motivations of each of the players. He always maintains pace and suspense through the twists and turns of the plot, which is intricate but not contrived. It's a great read in the thriller genre, but underneath it makes thought provoking statements about human relationships in contemporary society and the ability of our legal institutions to do justice.