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The Only Good Indians

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'The Only Good Indians' by Stephen Graham Jones is a horror novel that delves into the consequences of a past mistake made by four young Blackfeet men during an illegal elk hunt. The plot revolves around a vengeful entity, the spirit of a slaughtered elk, seeking revenge on the men ten years later in a chilling and suspenseful manner. The writing style is described as intense, lyrical, and poetic, with a strong focus on Native American culture and folklore. The story explores themes of justice, revenge, cultural identity, tradition, and the respect for nature, all while providing a unique and eerie setting on an Indian reservation.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, reflecting a range of emotions and struggles, particularly related to their past transgressions and cultural identity.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by immersive prose, unexpected narrative shifts, and a mix of horror and humor, which can be both captivating and challenging.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around four friends from the Blackfeet Nation who, after a fateful elk hunt that breaks tribal law, must face the repercussions of their actions through a vengeful spirit years later.

Setting:

The setting is rooted in the Blackfeet Reservation, providing an authentic backdrop that enhances the story's cultural significance.

Pacing:

The pacing starts off slow but accelerates towards the climax, creating a tense and thrilling experience.
So far it only comes on with its thready glow at completely random times. Maybe in relation to some arcane and unlikely combination of light switches in the house, or maybe from the iron being plugged...

Notes:

The Only Good Indians explores themes surrounding guilt, identity, and the consequences of actions taken by indigenous characters.
The novel features the character of the Elk Head Woman, a vengeful spirit seeking retribution against those who wronged her.
Stephen Graham Jones, the author, is a member of the Blackfeet Nation, adding authenticity to the cultural elements of the story.
The plot is centered around a hunting trip where four friends kill an elk in a forbidden area, leading to supernatural consequences.
The narrative includes dark humor alongside horror and social commentary on the struggles faced by contemporary Native Americans.
The storytelling involves shifts in point of view and even utilizes second-person narration at times, adding to its uniqueness.
It contains several graphic and visceral scenes, blending horror with social issues such as racism and alcoholism.
The book has been adapted into various media formats, reflecting its impact and popularity.
The writing style has been described as both immersive and challenging, requiring readers to adjust to its rhythm and perspective.
The book has received critical acclaim, drawing comparisons to modern horror films and other works that combine cultural storytelling with horror elements.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include graphic violence, animal death, themes of trauma and loss, and the portrayal of substance abuse.

From The Publisher:

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From USA TODAY bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones comes a "masterpiece" (Locus Magazine) of a novel about revenge, cultural identity, and the cost of breaking from tradition. Labeled "one of 2020's buzziest horror novels" (Entertainment Weekly), this is a remarkable horror story that "will give you nightmares-the good kind of course" (BuzzFeed).

From New York Times bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones comes a novel that is equal parts psychological horror and cutting social commentary on identity politics and the American Indian experience. Fans of Jordan Peele and Tommy Orange will love this story as it follows the lives of four American Indian men and their families, all haunted by a disturbing, deadly event that took place in their youth. Years later, they find themselves tracked by an entity bent on revenge, totally helpless as the culture and traditions they left behind catch up to them in a violent, vengeful way.

Ratings (99)

Incredible (10)
Loved It (33)
Liked It (13)
It Was OK (20)
Did Not Like (19)
Hated It (4)

Reader Stats (256):

Read It (95)
Currently Reading (4)
Want To Read (121)
Did Not Finish (11)
Not Interested (25)

4 comment(s)

Loved It
1 week

Second try reading it, 5 September 2021. I'm so glad I gave the ebook a try. I was right in my last review on this and im glad I didn't give up on this. Was Avery eerie and compelling horror story and I think I've enjoyed most of what I've read by Stephen Graham Jones so far

Written 13 September 2020

Have tried very hard for a few days to get into the book but with no success, sadly this probably not a book for me. But I tried to listen to it perhaps it would be different if I read it instead

 
Loved It
2 weeks

Intense, brutal, heart wrenching and rich storytelling. I can't believe I've never read anything by this author before. Beautifully flawed characters and sympathetic antagonists. The only reason I couldn't give it five stars is because I'm a little too squeamish for the graphic, violent, and bloody nature of several scenes. That being said, I think most of it was absolutely, if not necessary, enriching to the story.

 
Liked It
2 months

The story was really unique. But the writing style wasn't for me.

 
Loved It
7 months

As someone who likes horror, but hates gratuitous gore, I really enjoyed this novel. The plot takes a while to build, but the creepiness and dread are there all along the way. I both worried about the protagonist and couldn't help sympathizing with the deer-headed woman, which was a delightful paradox.


If I were more of a basketball fan, I think this would have gotten an even higher rating from me. That element didn't click on a personal level, but I *love* the way Jones intertwines mythical horror and modern everyday life - brilliant!

 

About the Author:

Stephen Graham Jones is the New York Times bestselling author of The Only Good Indians. He has been an NEA fellowship recipient, has won the Jesse Jones Award for Best Work of Fiction from the Texas Institute of Letters, the Independent Publishers Award for Multicultural Fiction, a Bram Stoker Award, four This is Horror Awards; and has been a finalist for the Shirley Jackson Award and the World Fantasy Award. He is the Ivena Baldwin Professor of English at the University of Colorado Boulder.

 
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