Reservation Blues

It's a good book

The use of music as a means to institute change in a lost society is a thematic element central to both plot and character development in Sherman Alexie's novel, Reservation Blues. The characters face a variety of complex decisions while at a crossroad in their lives. Discerning the often-blurry line between need and greed is vital for the young men and women to achieve personal success. As Native Americans, they must reject the skewed value system that prevents their brothers from rising out of a life of degradation. They must overcome hardships that accompany their ethnicity and embrace native tradition in order to spread the word of truth to others in need of salvation. Music and storytelling are tools for the protagonist to raise awareness in a society drowning in the evils of materialism. As lead singer for the popular new age band, Coyote Springs, Thomas Builds-the-Fire must foster cohesion among the unlikely group of Indians. Each band member finds him or herself at a personal crossroad in the days leading up to the one shot at success dangling before them by two New York seedy recording executives that are appropriately named George Wright and Phil Sheridan. Ironically, their names are consistent with two deadly United States Army generals, George Wright and Phillip Henry Sheridan, who fought bloody battles against Indian tribes in the 1850's and 1860's. General Wright instructed his troops to descend unexpectedly upon the allied Spokane, Coeur d'Alene, and Palouse tribes in what was supposed to be a nonviolent meeting in 1857 on the Spokane Plain. General Sheridan became famous, in part, for his racist aphorism, "The only good Indian is a dead Indian." Builds-the-Fire represents future possibilities for Native Americans. He is a lonely soul, a misfit both on and off the reservation. Storytelling is his unconscious attempt at holding onto native tradition. He is oblivious to the fact that he is a wise leader in the making. He lives in an unfinished HUD home, but loves the reservation, the land, the Indians. He expresses no bitterness toward the Bureau of Indian Affairs after cutting the funding mid way through his home's construction. Living conditions are grueling on the reservation. Jobs are scarce. Government positions go to the white community. Thomas' home is low on the long list of priorities for unfinished things on the Spokane reservation. Word of Coyote Springs' talent spreads outside of the reservation and the band faces the real possibility of commercial success; but following the dream, Thomas wonders what the cost will be. Success will enable them obtain the riches known only to them via cable television; but, what if this is just another trick by the white man? The white man offers his friendship in order to move in for the kill, and then goes on his way laughing. He is becoming the leader that will build, or rekindle the fire for others. He will marry band member, Chess Warm Water, and produce more Indians to keep the word, the tradition, alive. Together they can make the world a better place. Understanding the protagonists' relationship to folklore and the blues genre enriches the thematic element in the novel. Historically, blues music associated with African American suffering caused by white men during the days of slavery. African American character and real life blues musician, Robert Johnson sold his soul for success many years earlier, now he finds comfort in simplicity with a harmonica. Builds-the-Fire finds his release in relating stories as a way to keep tradition alive. It enables him to share his message with others and if he chooses the right road, his talent will afford him the opportunity to make the world a better place.

One of the most delightful and heartbreaking books I’ve read in a while. All of Sherman’s books are must-reads.

Written by Sherman Alexie, this fable about the hometown challenges of his own home town, makes a fine, sensitive novel. This is the struggle of an Indian band - and it's this double entendre that is at the heart of his tale. Three Spokane Indians and two Flathead sisters form a musical group, which, in its character and pathologies, are a metaphor for Indians everywhere. The band comprises two sisters, two lifelong friends, and a misfit. The sisters, Checkers and Chess Warm Water, members of the Flathead tribe, wrestle with the corruption of family. The friends, Victor and Junior, are brutalized by alcohol, crushed dreams, and aimlessness. Thomas Builds-the-Fire, a creative and sensitive man, suffers the terrifying indifference of his people. Driven by their individual ambitions, each makes their own deal with the devil in exchange for the promise of a better life. Among a host of horrors Alexie parades before our characters, the greatest tragedy is their rejection by their own tribe, a consequence of their struggle to rise above the provincial dissolution of the reservation. Yet some of Alexie's characters survive. For them, redemption comes from their capacity as individuals and as a band to thread a course between hopeless surrender and the ravaging predations of white culture. The heroism of Alexie's protagonists lies in their quiet self-awareness and the courage to be the individuals they are: neither white doppelgangers nor Indian cliches. Side plots and supplementary characters shoot like the limbs of an unpruned tree: while their fruit is often lovely, the tree suffers from diffusion. But the writing makes it all worthwhile: Alexie is funny and pleasurable to read. The rewards of dialog and scene construction are, by themselves, worth the price of admission.

I really enjoyed this book. Great premise of blues legend Robert Johnson wandering onto the Spokane Reservation and his magic guitar ending up in the hands of a young man. The story that proceeds from there felt like it indeed resonated with the energy of someone who had known life on the reservation. This book is highly recommended. It seems to combine fact and fiction into a fable that is unique and wonderful.

This book, written 20 years ago, is one of the best books I've read in 2016. It's an excellent semi-autobiographical novel about life among modern Native Americans. It's entertaining, funny, sad, beautifully written, with an almost mythical beauty, but clearly it is a true reflection of the trials of Native Americans in the USA. There are so many other reviews which describe the book better than I can - so I'll stop here. But I highly recommend the book for young adults, and also for oldsters like me.

This tale weaves Native American myths and magic with Catholic practicality to show the conflicting culture reservation Indians grow up with. It is harsh and unapologetic about the harm the white society did to the Indians and the harm that they do to themselves. Interesting and flawed characters are well portrayed and realistic. I recommend it to those who look for a story that is tragic yet somehow hopeful..

It is one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read. It will make you laugh and cry. Sometimes at the same time. It is simply amazing. And we certainly need amazing at this time, in November of 2024.