Review: The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
Five stars, what?! Who even am I?!
Dark Fiction | Goodreads | Amazon
Source: Received for Review Consideration
I kept hearing whispers about this book. People were SO excited and wanted it so badly and those whispers stuck in my head but I hadn’t read the author and I REFUSED to visit Netgalley because I have absolutely zero willpower when it comes to their offerings. But then a few super early reviews came in and naturally I had a weak moment and hit up NetGalley and I am not at all sorry. Well, perhaps a wee bit because there was some animal stuff in here that was hard to read (prepare thyself) but trust me when I say this book is an experience that has the power to take your damn breath away. I don’t say that about a lot of books, hardly any at all actually, but this one managed to do it several times.
It’s about a horrifically bleak and terrible dark deed done by a few over-zealous young punks on a part of the reservation that did not belong to them. This memory will follow and haunt them (as well it should if you ask me). This book is painful to read but truly hard to put down at the same time. Whenever I had to put it aside to return to reality it lingered at the edges of my brain.
“When the whole world hurts, you bite it, don’t you?”
I struggled with this review. I kept starting it and stopping it fearing I’d never be able to do any kind of justice to it without spoiling the hell out of it and I am not going to do that. This book shocked me even though I was warned that it was going to do just that. I figured, “Nah it’s not going to get ME” but I was wrong. The writing is engaging and harrowing, the characters flawed and hard to look away from and it’s simply a beautifully tragic masterpiece of horror on so many levels with anguish so strong you can feel it stain your soul. Read it if you want your heart ripped out of your chest, chewed up, spit out, rubbed in the bloody dirt, and then super glued back together with your tears.
Brilliantly breath-stealing. Just go read it if this is at all something that you think you’re into. I'm giving this one a rare five star because it is deserving and this book is the reason why I am so miserly with my five stars!
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
Published July 2020Dark Fiction | Goodreads | Amazon
Source: Received for Review Consideration
The creeping horror of Paul Tremblay meets Tommy Orange’s There There in a dark novel of revenge, cultural identity, and the cost of breaking from tradition in this latest novel from the Jordan Peele of horror literature, Stephen Graham Jones.
Seamlessly blending classic horror and a dramatic narrative with sharp social commentary, The Only Good Indians follows four American Indian men after a disturbing event from their youth puts them in a desperate struggle for their lives. Tracked by an entity bent on revenge, these childhood friends are helpless as the culture and traditions they left behind catch up to them in a violent, vengeful way.
Seamlessly blending classic horror and a dramatic narrative with sharp social commentary, The Only Good Indians follows four American Indian men after a disturbing event from their youth puts them in a desperate struggle for their lives. Tracked by an entity bent on revenge, these childhood friends are helpless as the culture and traditions they left behind catch up to them in a violent, vengeful way.
My 2 Cents For Free!
It’s about a horrifically bleak and terrible dark deed done by a few over-zealous young punks on a part of the reservation that did not belong to them. This memory will follow and haunt them (as well it should if you ask me). This book is painful to read but truly hard to put down at the same time. Whenever I had to put it aside to return to reality it lingered at the edges of my brain.
“When the whole world hurts, you bite it, don’t you?”
I struggled with this review. I kept starting it and stopping it fearing I’d never be able to do any kind of justice to it without spoiling the hell out of it and I am not going to do that. This book shocked me even though I was warned that it was going to do just that. I figured, “Nah it’s not going to get ME” but I was wrong. The writing is engaging and harrowing, the characters flawed and hard to look away from and it’s simply a beautifully tragic masterpiece of horror on so many levels with anguish so strong you can feel it stain your soul. Read it if you want your heart ripped out of your chest, chewed up, spit out, rubbed in the bloody dirt, and then super glued back together with your tears.
Brilliantly breath-stealing. Just go read it if this is at all something that you think you’re into. I'm giving this one a rare five star because it is deserving and this book is the reason why I am so miserly with my five stars!
5 out of 5
I tried one Paul Tremblay book and I'm afraid that was enough for me so I probably won't go for anything compared to his stuff! I've seen a few reviews of this one on some blogs and it's certainly got people talking.
ReplyDeleteI've only read one Tremblay book as well but this one felt much different.
DeleteI've seen a lot of good reviews for this book. Glad you enjoyed it so much! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lark. It was so chilling!
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ReplyDeleteI LOVED this book, such a gut wrenching story!
ReplyDeleteIt was SO gut wrenching and so shocking!
DeleteI feel like I missed something as I didn't like this book. I was so bored that I almost dnfed but I was buddying reading it and really wanted to figure out why it was liked but never did...lol. Oh well, I don't mind being in the minority on this one...lol. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's what makes these discussions so fun. I often think "eh, what are those people carrying on about?! This book is nothing special", lol.
DeleteWow this one has me super curious now, and it sounds dark! I may have to get this. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is very dark and shocking! Prepare yourself!
DeleteThis sounds great. I have the same problem with NetGalley but I try to limit myself to 5 books at a time. lol
ReplyDeleteUgh, I can never seem to control myself over there.
DeleteLoved reading your thoughts. You know I really enjoyed this one too. Yes, the animal stuff was a bit much but since I still loved it, that means something huh? On another side, I'm seeing a new trend of antlers on covers - maybe Booksnake is on its way out!
ReplyDeletelol, I could do without seeing another booksnake again!
DeleteThis one is EVERYWHERE right now. I heard there was a lot of animal death so I've stayed away but eh...now I'm curious anyway lol
ReplyDeleteKaren @ For What It's Worth
There is an awful lot of animal death in this one but knowing it beforehand helped ready me for it.
DeleteI am unknown if there was any question, haha. Blogger doesn't seem to want me to post on my own blog today. Ooops!
ReplyDelete