Customer Reviews

Stuck Outside of Phoenix

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This debut novel from Arthur Edwards, former bassist for the band The Refreshments, chronicles the dream of every future/never-to-be rock star: to escape suburbia and go on tour -- preferably in an over-sized, airbrushed bus.

Short but sweet, the pages flip quickly. Will Hote, Mr. Edwards' main character, escape Phoenix for Seattle, the land of his rock dreams? Or will he forever be stuck in the firing kiln of Phoenix, its concrete slabs extending as far as the eye can see?

Arthur Edwards does for music what Tom Clancey does for warfare; he writes an in depth technical novel about the inner workings of Phoenix's musical scene during the early '90's.
The main character, Hote, is the embodiment of the agnst and inner turmoil that was the hallmark of a young Generation X; following him for the three days he is stuck outside of Phoenix is as personal as rereading old journals from the same era. This book is so well-written I could hear Nirvana playing in the background and smell patchouli oil as I turned the pages.

I anxiously awaited this book's delivery, as I was at ASU during the setting of this story. Art does a great job capturing the time period and stirring memories of my old stomping grounds. If you were not there at the time, you may have a difficult time relating the story. If you were there, you will enjoy a walk down memory lane. I will give Art credit for giving really descript picture and sense of being on stage and playing in a band.
It a quick, easy read and fun.

I have tried to write a review of my experience with Stuck Outside of Phoenix. I've written it many times. Sometimes on paper. Sometimes on this laptop; retyping, cutting, retyping, copying, pasting; failing...until today. The story seems typical enough. This guy they call, Hote, is wandering into adulthood and he wants to be a rock star. He's handy enough with a bass. He's had some experience being in a band--with so-called friends, mostly. His intuition tells him Seattle is the place to take his talent. And just when he's ready to hit the road, he gets lost. And I got lost, for almost two months, in search of what Art's story did to me. Then today, I found that I have been reviewing it all of the time. I am still there, stuck with Hote, in a constant part of my unconsciousness. Still there, on the couch, in his friend's apartment. Still sitting on the bar stool, pondering his thoughts. Still watching him with the woman he could love. Still pressed against the stage, looking up and seeing a rare and unexpected glow coming off of Hote's face and his bass guitar. This is one of those stories I love to find. The kind that stays with you, lingers in your thoughts, gets down into your soul, and expands your empathies. Art wrote a measure of depth and struggle that brought me close enough to the character that I was there, helping him carry his struggle, and at the same time, held to a distance from Hote. This was the same close and distant thread I found all through the story and stretched between Hote and everyone he knew. It was the song that began playing in my head, when I read the first pages, and continued to play during every reading, and to the last page. The song is Entre Nous by Rush. It tells of our vast separation from each other, but those '...spaces in between leave room for you and I to grow.' (repeated from Goodreads)

I loved this book! The author's writing style is evocative without being overwrought, and the story is engaging and accessible. It's not a long book, but a very satisfying read. Highly recommended!