Reservation Blues is a novel by Sherman Alexie first published in 1995. The novel tells the story of Thomas-Builds-the-Fire and bluesman Robert Johnson.

Summary

Reservation Blues takes place in the Spokane Indian Reservation. The main character, Thomas-Builds-the-Fire is a dejected story-teller. Along with Victor and Junior, local bullies, Thomas starts a band, which gains popularity. They are soon joined by Chess and Checkers, from the Flathead Indian Reservation. Eventually the band is given a record deal in New York, where the band falls apart in the middle of a recording session. All of them return to the reservation, depressed and broken. Junior commits suicide and Chess, Checkers and Thomas move to Spokane.

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