Reservation Blues

Rating:
Summary: such a good book
Review: Sherman Alexie does such a good job with this novel. He brings the characters to life, and gives readers an understanding about what life on a Reservation might be like. Through the events that take place in the book, he shows the strengths of the characters and how they deal with occurrences other than what goes on in their daily lives.
He paints such a bright picture of the setting and even the parts of the book that seem unreal come to life as if it were a normal thing.
This book is excellent for many things: a class on ethnicity and identity, a fun summer read, or even just for gaining insight on the life of Native Americans.
This book is worth reading!

Rating:
Summary: outstanding
Review: Reservation Blues, which won the American Book Award in 1995, is a touching look at modern life on the Spokane Indian Reservation. When legendary blues guitarist Robert Johnson shows up on the rez with his enchanted guitar and a dark secret, Thomas Builds-the-Fire begins a journey of self-discovery and painful realization that will forever change him and his friends. After the magical guitar ends up in his hands, Thomas forms Coyote Springs, a band made up of two seemingly unmotivated drunks Victor and Junior, and two Flathead Indian sisters, Checkers and Chess. The book chronicles the bands' humble beginnings playing at the local bar on the rez to a hopeful encounter with record executives in New York City. It is within this context that Alexie is able to confront serious issues facing the Indian community today with his own subtle sense of humor.
The straight forward plot is layered with metaphorical connections to a general Indian past, while each character is forced to confront haunting personal issues. For Thomas, it is the embarrassment of his alcoholic itinerant father. For Victor, it is the sexual abuse he faced at the hand of the reservation priest. For Checkers and Chess, it is a feeling of loneliness, the search for a "good Indian man," and being seen as outcasts on a reservation not their own. Ironically, their music is the only thing which gives them a feeling of power and inner strength, yet it is the opportunities provided by this music that alienate them from their own people.
Alexie believes the problems facing Indians today are the same faced by their ancestors 100 years ago. An obvious example is the names of the record executives for "Cavalry Records," Mr. Sheridan, Mr. Wright, and Mr. Armstrong; a direct link to the Generals who murdered their ancestors. Signing away your freedom in exchange for an empty promise is an idea which transcends the generations for Indians; the record contract and the peace treaty. Another problem Alexie confronts is the relationship between half-breeds and full-bloods. In his own original and comical way, Alexie uses a pick-up game of basketball which pits Thomas' father and the rez drunk, Leonard, against the half-breed Tribal police force. Insults fly, and the comedy that ensues is unforgettable.
Reservation Blues was a delight to read. Alexie is a talented writer whose gift for storytelling is enhanced by his social commentary and his humorous presentation. Few writers would be able to tackle such subject matter without the work falling into the category of a tragedy. Alexie's grasp of his people's sense of humor is unparalleled, and the jokes transcend racial and social lines. His ability to remain light-hearted when discussing suicide, alcohol, and rape is an impressive feat. It is not a surprise that he feels it is this very philosophy that gives Indians the ability to move forward and succeed. Focusing on the positive, while making light of the negative is a quality Alexie attributes to the survival of his culture. Overall, it is a story of accepting one's past in order to move forward. It is a story of hope, of survival, and of reality. Reservation Blues is more than a fictional work, it is a searing look at the political, social, and religious issues facing Indians today.

Rating:
Summary: tell it like it is
Review: This is a funny book, but be warned it may make you uncomfortable, angry or confused. There's a lot of satire and like all real satire it burns. The New Age movement, in particular Native American spirituality (imagined) and wannabees come under fire. If you are looking for instruction on how to become one with the universe and find your spirit animal, go somewhere else.

That said this is a funny book. Alexie's indians are that rare thing in literature--real people. From the names of various characters (I loved 'Betty' and 'Veronica') to wry humor about poverty, ambition and destiny without being too heavy handed, this is a 5 star story. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: One of many profound works by Sherman Alexie...
Review: This is one of the strongest, wittiest, most provocative and thought provoking novels I have ever read. It confirmed for me, even more, why I love, admire and have so much respect for Sherman Alexie as a writer and as a man, He portrays the universal human struggle with such gritty realism and unabashed honesty. It doesn't hurt that he also blends a dose of magical realism and wimsy into the mix.

This book introduces the endearing partnership of Victor Joseph, Thomas-Builds-the-Fire and Junior Polatkin to Alexie's reading audience. These are the same young man who continue their journey in "Tonto and Lone Ranger Fist Fight in Heaven" (a brilliant collection of his short stories that blend humor with pathos). We get to know the angry and broken Victor, the delightfully nerdy and off beat storyteller, Thomas and the unstable Junior as they form a band with the help of legendary bluesman, Robert Johnson. Johnson leaves a guitar in Thomas' van and the rest is history.

Perhaps, one ot the strongest qualties in this book is its universal accessiblity. We all laugh, cry and hurt together regardless of color, ethnicity, age or gender. These three young men (who happen to be Spokane Indian) are engaging, tender and richly illustrated. All of the supporting characters equally hold your attention as the reader.

The music in this novel permeates your brain and you can hear and feel the melody........You will never listen to blues (or native chants) the same way.