Venus Sings the Blues by Buck Storm Book Review

I never know quite what I'm going to encounter when I read one of Storm's books. I know there will be quirky characters. There are several in this novel. There are a couple of ruffians, con artists who plan to make a big haul. There's a woman with a lovely voice who wants to escape her depreciating spouse, especially now that he has won mega millions. There is a drunk bestselling author. There is a jazz piano player roaring in on a Harley. There is a young man, invisible to so many, wanting to fly free. There is a villain of sorts, dressed entirely in black. Their paths cross at the Venus Motel and bar and lives are changed forever.

I know there will be something spiritual or magical ot other worldly woven into the plot. That plot rambles a bit in the beginning as the characters are introduced and come together. It is not until the second half of the book that issues being explored are revealed. Whether it is magical or spiritual, there is the clear message of letting go of the past. There is a subtle message of becoming a new creation, something Christians will understand but may not be recognized by others.

I was a bit unsure about the meaning of this novel for much of it but liked it in the end. It is a bit like an allegory, showing people in need of transformation and then the decisions and process required for it to happen. It is an entertaining book with spiritual truth popping up from time to time.

There are references in this novel to earlier ones by Storms but this one does read relatively well on its own. You can read my reviews of earlier books: The Beautiful Ashes of Gomez Gomez and The Sound the Sun Makes.  

You can read an excerpt here.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Buck Storm is a singer and songwriter in Hayden, Idaho. He's also the author of several books, including Truck Stop Jesus, Through the Holy Land on the Road Less Traveled, and The Miracle Man. Find out more about Buck at buckstorm.com.

Kregel Publications, 355 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)