Bluesman: A Novel
by Andre Dubus III

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Book Reviews of Bluesman: A Novel

Book Review: A coming of age story
Summary: 4 Stars

A beautifully written novel by the author of HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG, this coming of age novel takes place during the Vietnam War era of the mid to late 60's. Young Leo Suther is about to turn 18 and is getting ready to find out what life outside of school is all about. He's got a new girl, Allie Donovan, who he's desperately in lust with. Her father, Chick Donovan, soon becomes his mentor and he's offered a job to help Chick build houses. It's Leo's first "real" job, and it makes him feel like a man. With Allie by his side and a great job, life is looking good.

His home life isn't all that bad either. He and his father live side by side, sharing their love of the blues every night and playing music along with their family friend Ryder. Katie Faye, Leo's mother, had died years ago from cancer, and his memories of her have faded, but are being kept alive by his father's love for her. Throughout the novel, references to Katie's life are made, and her story unfolds as Leo learns about a mother who loved poetry and whose biggest desire before she died was to go to Paris. Her story helps shape Leo's future, as the reader soon finds out.

Leo is at a turning point in his life. With only one more year left of high school and a good job with Chick, Leo is ready to leave school and start a family of his own. He fantasizes about living with Allie and their many kids. This fantasy life of his puts blinders on Leo, as he finds out too late how Allie feels about him. And with problems of her own, Allie soon turns her back on Leo, leaving Leo feeling alone and frustrated. As their relationship hits rocky ground, Leo's life starts to fall apart, and he soon sees that not only has Allie's feelings for him have changed, but all around him friends and acquaintances are moving on. Change is in the air, and Leo isn't sure if he's ready for it.

I can't really say enough about BLUESMAN. It's a complex story composed of many layers. Leo's issues with Allie, with her father, and even his mother, are at the root of Leo's story. Political issues of the day are not the main focus, but help add to the story line. Communism, the Vietnam War, the attitudes of the late 60's, are all underlying themes of this book. It's not an easy read but I would definitely recommend this for it's beautiful prose and descriptions throughout the book. It's a great coming of age story, and if nothing else will leave with the reader memories of a time in history that has left a mark on many today.

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