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Most Helpful Reviews
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Liked It “I found this book very interesting and I loved how it talked of the band's struggles and how no matter how hard they tried they couldn't succeed. It's not the typical "happily-ever-after" story.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “For the most part, I thought this book was okay. Its not in my main interest of reading so it took a lot to read it. The book has a lot of different themes and elements to it. A man named Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in order to get blues skills. He appears on the Spokane Indian...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“Reservation Blues is about a man named Thomas, and the oppression he faces being an Indian. Thomas tells stories, and what better way to tell stories then through music. He meets a troubled man, who gives him a possessed guitar. Thomas begins a band and gives the guitar to Victor. The clear water sisters join the band as well. The book is truly about being the best you can be even if the "white man keeps you down". Follow you dreams, and be your best. No matter what.
Mariah B wrote this review 4 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The book was banned because it puts the white man in the wrong light. The book really shines the light on what its like to live on the reservation and the problems that Indians face like poverty and alcoholism. People banned it because they thought it put the white man in the wrong light, even though it was basically telling the truth and not placing blame, the book should be read people need to know the struggle these people unfairly face.”“I found this book very interesting and I loved how it talked of the band's struggles and how no matter how hard they tried they couldn't succeed. It's not the typical "happily-ever-after" story.”
Erika W wrote this review 4 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“For the most part, I thought this book was okay. Its not in my main interest of reading so it took a lot to read it. The book has a lot of different themes and elements to it. A man named Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil in order to get blues skills. He appears on the Spokane Indian Reservation and gives his instrument to Thomas who is the leader of the band Coyote Springs. The book follows the band and shows lots of different elements of Native American life. He talks alot about the relationships of the Indian men and the indian women as well. All in all, this book wasn't my favorite type of read but i believe that many other people that are interested in music and native americans would enjoy it.
Morgan T wrote this review 10 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Banishment History:
I couldn't find anything on the reason why it was banned but i assume it's because the fact he sells his soul to the devil for blues skills.”
“Certainly one of my favorite books, Sherman Alexie uses humor and sadness to create a life on the rez that would change any readers view. In a book riddled with injustice, love, hatred, anger, friendship and mystical occurrances, Alexie takes you through the lives of a group of Indian boys struggling to make a life for themselves while carrying the weight of their ancestors persecution and interacting with the ghosts of the stories of our country. Read it as it is, but reread it with a history book next to you and you'll be blown away. ”
Genevieve F wrote this review Sunday, September 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Weird book about 5 Indians on Spokane Indian Reservation who formed a rock band. I finished it because I kept hoping it would get better. It didn't ”
Marilyn C wrote this review Wednesday, July 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“SouthWestZippy said: 3 stars
Play Book Tag Shelf wrote this review Monday, July 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Heartbreaking story about a rock-and-roll band called Coyote Springs from the Spokane reservation. Story line was easy to follow and very interesting. I think some characters are under developed and one I just could not stand. Overall good book. Does have some dark humor and has some beautiful poems. Worth reading again.”
“Heartbreaking story about a band on the Spokane reservation. Story line was easy to follow and very interesting. Some characters are under developed and others I just could not stand. It has some very adult subjects. Beautiful poems are also included. ”
SouthWestZippy wrote this review Sunday, July 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Funny and sad, this book is well worth reading. What would happen if the legendary bluesman Robert Johnson showed up the reservation of the Spokane Indians..... Read it and find out.”
Jeff A wrote this review Wednesday, May 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“"In the one hundred and eleven years since the creation of the Spokane Indian Reservation in 1881, not one person, Indian or otherwise, has ever arrived there by accident."
sthurner wrote this review Sunday, May 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
At the beginning of Reservation Blues, Simon, an Indian who only drives backward (?!), notices a black man with a guitar by the side of the road. Is he lost? The solitary man turns out to be blues legend Robert Johnson, who acquired his prodigious musical talent through a deal with the devil. In the course of the story the cursed guitar passes on to the geeky and sweet Indian storyteller, Thomas Builds-the-Fire. Thomas, who is friends with two other Spokane Indians on the rez, and decides to start a rock band, Coyote Springs with his buddies. The plot centers on the way the friends interact with other people, a mysterious shaman/music teacher called Big Mom, and each other. I enjoy the way Alexie develops his characters, and the funny and poignant way he shows what life is like for them. One of my favorite scenes was when Coyote Springs does an encore song, Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys.”
“Not once in the history of the Spokane Indian Reservation had a person arrived by accident until the day a stranger appears with a guitar slung over his back. The man is the legendary bluesman Robert Johnson in flight from the devil and presumed long dead. He passes his guitar to Thomas Builds-the-Fire, the local storyteller. This book is beautifully written. The story of life on the reservation is hard to read at times due to the hopelessness of the people and the loss of their faith. It's also a book about courage and has a wonderful mystical aspect with the addition of Big Mom. I loved this story. It's very visual.”
rowanthea wrote this review Thursday, April 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
