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Bluesman: A Novel
With House of Sand and Fog, his National Book Award-nominated novel, Andre Dubus III demonstrated his mastery of the complexities of character and desire. In this earlier novel he captures a roiling time in American history and the coming-of-age of a boy who must decide between desire, ambition, and duty.
In the summer of 1967, Leo Suther has one more year of high school to...more
In the summer of 1967, Leo Suther has one more year of high school to...more
Paperback, 336 pages
Published
February 13th 2001
by Vintage
(first published 1993)
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Nov 05, 2012
Booknblues
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
vietnam,
contemporary-fiction
Leo Sayer the young protagonist in Andre Dubus III's book the Bluesman is a young man coming of age in the time of social upheaval of the Vietnam era. Like many young man of that age his interest is sex, passion and music while trying to discover who he is and who he is going to be. Much to his delight he discovers sex with his girlfriend Allie Donovan. While being tutored by Allie on essential knowledge of the opposite sex, Leo is guided by his three father figures on the meaning of life. Leo's...more
It always stuns me that I rarely hear people sing the praises of this book. I usually have to reassure myself that it's just because people haven't heard of this book, but then I'm left wondering why that is, when it is so, so good. The protagonist, Leo, is written with such clarity and precision that you can't help feeling that you are him...or that you're 100% head over heels passionately in love with him. This is no easy task for an author to accomplish.
In many ways, this book encapsulates th...more
In many ways, this book encapsulates th...more
I really enjoyed this novel. Set in late 1960's small town America - Massachusetts to be precise - it is primarily a tale about the relationship between a naive, romantic 17 year old boy and a much more grounded 16 year old girl. The boy is Leo, the Bluesman of the title and the girl is called Ellie.
It's a fairly simple tale of boy meets girl set against the prevailing themes of late 60's America: the Civil Rights movement, the Vietnam war and the Summer of Love. But these are all just ripples i...more
It's a fairly simple tale of boy meets girl set against the prevailing themes of late 60's America: the Civil Rights movement, the Vietnam war and the Summer of Love. But these are all just ripples i...more
Mar 14, 2011
Sally Pearce
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Dubus III lovers.
Shelves:
read-in-2011
BLUESMAN is Dubus's first novel. It's not well known like THE HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG and THE GARDEN OF LAST DAYS. This is a true coming-of-age story. Leo is about to turn 18 and he loves Allie. It is a summer of love for both of them with all of the angst and good and bad that such love brings. The time is 1967, deep into the Vietnam War (which we all know wasn't really a war). All the pathos and joy of first love is explored in detail. To tell any more would spoil the story.
I loved this book, es...more
I loved this book, es...more
This one is my favorite of this particular Dubus thus far. The lines are simple and clean, beautiful yet mournful. The characters and what they think and do really get under the skin. A lot of people may prefer "House of Sand and Fog," but I felt a much stronger pull from this one. There's just something about it that resonates more deeply with me.
A wonderfully written story about coming of age in the 'summer of love'. Andre Dubus III handles the intense issues with gentle honesty. Leo's passion for the blues is so beautifully and fully described that the music seemed to seep from the pages. I truly relished this heartfelt book.
This writer never fails to engage me, to make me care. This book, an early output from him, took me a while to get into. The story of a working class boy coming of age in New England in the 60's was interesting enough but I found the detailed musical descriptions distracting at first. I got used to these (though I never really understood them) and grew to understand how important they were in understanding the culture of the family group the boy was living in. By the end of the story I was tenta...more
I loved Dubus' novel The House of Sand and Fog, so I was hoping for similar brilliance. Instead, this is a mediocre book about a boy's first love during the Vietnam War era.
A gritty book about "working" people, their lives, their dreams. Similiar to everyone's reality; there are no happy ever after endings, just an accurate portrayal of life. As with any Andre Dubus III book it is well written.
I love this novel. The characters have a pulse of their own. The author writes with finesse and soul. I highly recommend it
My least favorite of Dubus's novels but still a good read. I think he has grown a great deal as a writer since this book.
I actually read this a while ago. I know I liked it, but don't remember enough of the details to do a better review . . .
This is good but not his best - Just finished it.
Love the setting. Would recommend
Love the setting. Would recommend
Jul 30, 2011
Marianne
added it
Meh. This book wandered a lot and didn't seem to have a coherent theme or point.
A really nice first novel. Great coming of age story.
Skilful interpretation of youthful emotions and actions.
An outstanding coming of age story. Very powerful.
I "released" this book down at Dallas road this morning (May 17/09). Now I will see where it goes.
Reminds me very much of my youth in Boston. Dubus has a casual style that carries you along his stream of conciousness. He can get heavy but - it works.
A stormy coming of age tale told with depth and honesty. A beautifully written book. To describe on paper the real soul and the welled up emotion behind a blues tune is a gift and a true accomplishment. Dubus uses simple words to deliver electric dialog and vivid descriptions. (12/31)
May 21, 2008
Paul Grimsley
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
the-ones-you-have-to-read
this was a beautiful read -- one of those unexpected finds that i took home from the library as much for the cover art as the blurb. definitely worth it. it has a voice that people would probably describe as authentic -- i think warm and resonant might be a better description.
Andre Dubus is a great author. I am not surprised, since I loved the House of Sand and Fog, but this was such a totally different subject matter. I'll definitely try to read more of his work.
I love this coming of age story. It makes me want to listen to the blues and eat meatloaf!
Great Read. Interesting Characters. I enjouyed the adolescent male perspective. Very real.
I just like his style.
May 09, 2013
Anna Penwick
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
wishlist,
young-adult
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Andre Dubus III is the author of Townie, The Garden of Last Days, and House of Sand and Fog (an Oprah Book Club pick and a finalist for the National Book Award). His father, Andre Dubus, was a noted short story writer. Andre Dubus III lives with his family north of Boston.
More about Andre Dubus III...
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