---
product_id: 1395178
title: "Reservation Blues"
price: "6.63 OMR"
currency: OMR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 11
url: https://www.desertcart.com.om/products/1395178-reservation-blues
store_origin: OM
region: Oman
---

# Reservation Blues

**Price:** 6.63 OMR
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

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- **What is this?** Reservation Blues
- **How much does it cost?** 6.63 OMR with free shipping
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Reservation Blues [Alexie, Sherman] on desertcart.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Reservation Blues

Review: a Fabulous Story of Music, Magic and More - 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.
Review: Music and Salvation - 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.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN  | 0802141900 |
| Best Sellers Rank | #115,906 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #12 in Native American Literature (Books) #99 in Native American Demographic Studies #6,605 in Literary Fiction (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars (978) |
| Dimensions  | 5.25 x 0.75 x 8 inches |
| Edition  | Reprint |
| ISBN-10  | 9780802141903 |
| ISBN-13  | 978-0802141903 |
| Item Weight  | 12.8 ounces |
| Language  | English |
| Print length  | 320 pages |
| Publication date  | February 7, 2005 |
| Publisher  | Grove Press |

## Images

![Reservation Blues - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61fmodStPDL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ a Fabulous Story of Music, Magic and More
*by J***N on June 9, 2024*

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.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Music and Salvation
*by D***S on April 27, 2008*

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.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Please read this book
*by L***G on November 8, 2024*

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.

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*Last updated: 2026-03-11*