Desert Blues

by Bill Albert

When a car accident makes sixteen-year-old Harold an orphan and sends him to live with his Aunt Enid in the California desert, he and she both find that they have to make adjustments in their lives.

Genres: Fiction

172 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled across this book while scrolling the "available" shelf in the library; it was better than expected. I enjoyed the setting (late 50s) and Harold and Enid's earnest wish for safety and family.

There was nothing particularly profound, but their relationship and voices felt authentic. In particular, Harold's inappropriate sexual reactions: "Her body was endlessly fascinating. At one moment he was swamped with sexual desire, not for his aunt, of course not, but for the separate parts of her body. In the next moment he was drained by his revulsion. After all, she was his aunt, she was almost twenty years older than him, and he didn't actually want to touch her. He didn't even like her very much"

and his own self-consciousness about his weight: "It made him uncomfortable to watch fat people eat. Mouths too small, cheeks bulging, they seemed to hunch over their plates, shiny eyes riveted on the food. He made a point when he was eating with other people to sit up straight and appear disinterested."

Overall it was entertaining and worthwhile.

[jimtown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Desert Blues. It was a fast, fun, honest, no holds barred coming of age story. Harold was an awkward, slightly overweight teen with red hair and few friends, but he did manage to find a way to fit in LA with his extensive knowledge of music and his record collection. When his mother decides the little family will take a quick weekend trip to Palm Springs to visit her sister, neither Harold or his father want to go. Arguing between his parents is nothing new for Harold. He learned to tune them out. On this trip there's an accident and Harold wakes up in the hospital an orphan. Luckily for him, his Aunt takes him in. Harold doesn't like Palm Springs where nothing seems to go right but with time, the new busy schedule for both Harold and Aunt Enid make them look at things a little differently than they had in the past.

[wally · Rating 3 out of 5]

finished 12th september 2024 good read three stars i liked it kindle library loaner first from albert and only 11 reviews on goodreads for a story that has been around since 1994. i wouldn't call it a buried treasure but surely it is a better story that 11 reviews indicate. story time is...the 50s maybe...though there isn't much in the story to make that definitive. sixteen-year-old harold abelstein's parents die in a car accident and he goes to live with his aunt enid, a "kept woman" as the fables have it, an expression that is not used in the story but true, a man from st. louis keeping her needs met so she can meet some of his needs from time to time. then enid's father shows up after a 25 year absence. story set in palm springs. entertaining story.

[Kim Clarke · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like a short story than a novel. Although a little quirky, I enjoyed the characters. The main character is a young teen that lives for records. He becomes orphaned and goes to live with Aunt Enid in Florida, who is a kept mistress for a garment trade guy. I would have enjoyed seeing where the characters went as it ends rather abruptly.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky little gem I stumbled across and started to read with no expectations. Funny and sad, interesting characters. Another reviewer said it read like a YA novel, and that’s an apt description. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed it.

[Nickole · Rating 3 out of 5]

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[Monica Rathsack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, quirky read. A few laughs, but mostly a sad commentary on life. Reads like a YA novel.

[Ralph Weitzman]

Enjoyed it very much. The character situation jumped from one to next and was a bit confusing for me. It's a nice short story.

[Caitlin Gaspar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the plot! But when the focus would shift characters there wasn’t always a smooth transition.

[Jane Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't expect it too much before I read, however it was fun and easy to read.

[Wendy King · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't finish this. I just couldn't get involved with the characters.

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

hätte niemals erwartet das mir das buch noch so gut gefallen würde, aber die charaktere sind mir sehr ans herz gewachsen und mich interessiert sehr wie es weiter geht. das buch sollte ja auch lustig sein aber die stellen an denen der autor lustig sein wollte fand ich eher weird. das buch gibt so diesen 50er Jahre Kalifornien vibe weil das ganze in palm springs spielt

[Pat Carlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fair

Lots of wasted words, dry spots in this book. Had the potential to be a good story, but somehow missed the mark.