--- product_id: 1395178 title: "Reservation Blues" price: "SAR 68" currency: SAR in_stock: true reviews_count: 8 url: https://www.desertcart.com.sa/products/1395178-reservation-blues store_origin: SA region: Saudi Arabia --- # Music-driven cultural narrative Award-winning literary masterpiece Top 20 Native American literature bestseller Reservation Blues **Price:** SAR 68 **Availability:** βœ… In Stock ## Summary > 🎢 Where tradition meets the blues β€” a must-read cultural anthem ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Reservation Blues - **How much does it cost?** SAR 68 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.com.sa](https://www.desertcart.com.sa/products/1395178-reservation-blues) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - β€’ **Authentic Native Voice:** Sherman Alexie’s acclaimed narrative offers a rare, insightful perspective on reservation life and tradition. - β€’ **Thought-Provoking Themes:** Delivers a compelling blend of folklore, social commentary, and personal struggle that sparks meaningful conversations. - β€’ **Award-Winning Storytelling:** Winner of the American Book Award and Murray Morgan Prize, recognized for literary excellence. - β€’ **Critical Acclaim & Popularity:** Ranks #19 in Native American Literature with a strong 4.3-star rating from nearly 1,000 readers. - β€’ **Cultural Resonance Through Music:** Explores Native American identity and resilience via the transformative power of blues music. ## Overview Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie is a critically acclaimed novel that blends Native American folklore with the blues genre to explore themes of identity, resilience, and cultural survival. Winner of prestigious literary awards and ranked among the top Native American literature books, it offers a powerful narrative centered on music as a tool for social change and personal redemption. ## Description Reservation Blues [Alexie, Sherman] on desertcart.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Reservation Blues Review: Reservation blues is a good story - It's a good book 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. ## Features - Winner of American Book Ward - Winner of the Murray Morgan Prize - "An Important voice in American literature" - The Boston Globe ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #194,309 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #19 in Native American Literature (Books) #155 in Native American Demographic Studies #10,973 in Literary Fiction (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.3 out of 5 stars 987 Reviews | ## Images ![Reservation Blues - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61fmodStPDL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reservation blues is a good story *by W***T on February 14, 2026* It's a good book ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 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. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Read this book *by B***G on February 12, 2026* One of the most delightful and heartbreaking books I’ve read in a while. All of Sherman’s books are must-reads. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - πŸ›’ **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** β€” Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** β€” Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - πŸ’° **No Hidden Fees** β€” All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - πŸ”„ **15-Day Free Returns** β€” Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - πŸ”’ **Secure Payments** β€” Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** β€” Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.com.sa/products/1395178-reservation-blues](https://www.desertcart.com.sa/products/1395178-reservation-blues) --- *Product available on Desertcart Saudi Arabia* *Store origin: SA* *Last updated: 2026-04-30*