Reservation Blues Summary
Reservation Blues is a novel by Sherman Alexie in which Victor, Junior, and Thomas-Builds-the-Fire form a band.
- Victor and his friends Junior and Thomas-Builds-the-Fire form a band called Coyote Springs. On the road, they pick up two vocalists, Chess and Checkers.
- Coyote Springs is invited to a music competition. After they win, a local radio DJ interviews them. The band perfects their craft under the tutelage of Big Mom.
- Coyote Springs goes to New York to meet with record executives. Victor chokes up, and the band loses their shot at a record deal. They return to the reservation, and Junior kills himself.
Summary
Sherman Alexie made a notable entry into the literary world with his debut novel, Reservation Blues, released before he turned thirty. This novel followed the remarkable success of his earlier work, The Business of Fancydancing, a collection of poems and stories that made waves when Alexie was just twenty-six. By the time Reservation Blues was published, Alexie had already established a solid reputation with multiple well-received poetry collections and a celebrated short story compilation.
Imagination as Survival
In Reservation Blues, Alexie brings to life an idea explored in his earlier work, "Imagining the Reservation," from the anthology The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. He posits that “Survival = Anger ’ Imagination,” suggesting that imagination is the strongest resource available on the reservation. This novel merges the mythical with the mundane, incorporating the Faustian legend with the harsh realities and aspirations of life on the reservation, particularly through the lens of the music industry. Notably, Alexie himself has first-hand experience performing in a blues band, adding an authentic touch to the narrative.
The Essence of the Blues
The novel delves into themes of haunting memories and vivid nightmares, elements that echo the very essence of the blues. Characters like Junior Polatkin, Victor, and Thomas Builds-the-Fire, who have appeared in Alexie’s previous works, grapple with these recurring themes. A mystical figure named Big Mom, residing on a mountaintop within the reservation, embodies a divine presence wielding potent magic. The plot ignites when Robert Johnson, a real-life blues guitarist who mythologically sold his soul for musical prowess, arrives on the reservation. He transfers his enchanted guitar to Victor, setting the stage for a whirlwind journey.
A Quest for Fame
As the band sets off on their path to fame, they enlist two vocalists, Chess and Checkers, who are Flathead women, and attract the attention of Betty and Veronica, Indian "wanna-be's" humorously named after characters from the Archie comics. When Betty suggests that white people wish to emulate Indians to achieve wisdom and harmony with nature, Chess retorts, "You’ve never spent a few hours in the Powwow Tavern. I’ll show you wise and peaceful." This witty exchange underscores the book’s exploration of cultural identity and disillusionment.
The Dream Shattered
The narrative takes a dark turn when the band travels to New York City, only to discover the harsh realities of the music industry. Their agents are revealed to be none other than Phil Sheridan and George Wright, infamous figures from history associated with the oppression of Native Americans. The agents are employed by Calvary Records, a name fraught with historical irony. Though the novel is laced with humor, the laughs are tinged with bitterness and pain. The satire, coupled with the band's journey and the ironies they encounter, evokes the spirit of Voltaire’s classic, Candide.
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