The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
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Web ID: 12622341Unearthing the Ghosts of Native Identity
Stephen Graham Jones’s “The Only Good Indians” is a striking narrative that delves deep into the heart of Native American identity, tradition, and the haunting specters of guilt and revenge. The novel stands out for its unique blend of psychological horror and social commentary, wrapped in a story that is as profound as it is unsettling. The story revolves around four Native American friends who, in their youth, partake in an ill-fated hunting expedition on land reserved for elders. This single act of youthful defiance sets off a chain of events that will haunt them for years to come. Central to this haunting is Lewis, one of the four, who becomes the primary target of a vengeful spirit, manifesting as… well, you’ll see. As the narrative unfolds, the past and present collide in a maelstrom of fear, violence, and the unrelenting grip of ancient traditions. Jones’s writing style is a significant highlight of the novel. His straightforward prose and ability to craft dialogue that resonates with authenticity make the story not just readable but deeply immersive. The horror in “The Only Good Indians” isn’t just about the supernatural; it’s about the horror of past actions, the weight of cultural heritage, and the personal and communal consequences of breaking from tradition. Another remarkable aspect is the novel’s deep dive into Blackfeet culture, offering readers an insightful view into the complexities and nuances of Native American life beyond stereotypes and simplistic portrayals. Jones, with great skill, navigates the delicate balance between reverence for traditional ways and the stark realities of contemporary life on the reservation. Despite its many strengths, “The Only Good Indians” falters slightly in its climax (**SPOILER WARNGING**), particularly in the inclusion of a basketball game that pits a secondary character against the elk head woman. This scene, intended to be a high-stakes culmination of the novel’s building tension, comes off as somewhat cheesy and detracts from the otherwise meticulously built atmosphere of dread. The sudden shift to a sports scenario feels out of place and disrupts the dark, brooding narrative that Jones so expertly constructs throughout the book. “The Only Good Indians” is a haunting tale that merges the everyday with the ethereal, the personal with the cultural. Stephen Graham Jones crafts a story that is not only a piece of horror but a poignant exploration of identity and the inescapable shadows of the past. While the climax certainly disappointed me, the journey there is filled with enough suspense, depth, and cultural insight to make this novel a compelling and thought-provoking read. Jones continues to cement his status as a master storyteller, capable of weaving complex narratives that challenge and engage his audience.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
The Only Good Indians – A Review
I didn’t know what I expected going into The Only Good Indians, but what I found was a haunting, visceral story. Stephen Graham Jones masterfully blends psychological horror with cultural tension, weaving a narrative that feels both deeply personal and universally unsettling. The characters are layered and flawed, making their struggles feel real in a way that adds to the creeping dread. The way Jones portrays guilt, tradition, and identity creates a unique kind of horror—not just fear of the supernatural but of the past catching up to you. Jones’s raw, sometimes jarring writing style heightens the unease. The pacing kept me hooked, and the shifting perspectives added depth without losing momentum. The imagery is vivid and brutal, with moments that left me genuinely unnerved. At its heart, this book is about cycles—of life, of tradition, of vengeance—and the difficulty of breaking free from them. It’s a reminder that the past can haunt you in ways you don’t expect, and sometimes there’s no escaping it. If you enjoy horror that makes you think while making you uncomfortable, this one’s for you. It’s brutal, thoughtful, and lingers like a shadow in the corner of your mind.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Amazing with just a few hiccups
I loved the first half of the books as well as the end, I just wish that we didn't get a view point from the elk spirit. usually keeping such an antagonist mysterious and unpredictable keeps readers on their toes and leaves the reader wanting more. Seeing chapters from her view point kinda takes you out of the story, though they are pretty short. If you can overlook that this book was amazing.
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Keeps you on your toes!
This is one of my favorite titles! The visuals have stuck with me since reading it last year! Jones always throws a curve ball that leaves your jaw on the floor.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Yes.
This book is so eerily perfect. The descriptions of all the elk looming in the background of violent events is bone-chilling. This is the first book in a long time that made me feel genuinely spooked and it has so much to say on top of that. 100% would recommend (to someone who doesn’t mind violence).
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Psychological Horror
I work around Elk and, every time I see their big yellow eyes, I think back to this book and shiver a little bit.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Hard to follow
I loved the premise of this book but the writing style was hard to follow and took me out of the story. Plus the author uses the word “Indian” every other word
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
A Horror with Great Characters and Full of Emotion
I had seen the cover of The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones around for a while as friends and mutuals added the book to their TBRs. Each time I’d come across it, I’d think wow, I really should pick that up. It’s an absolute shame I didn’t pick it up until three years later because this was such an impactful horror story. The set-up is perfect, letting the story unfold as the horror does – piece by piece until it is unavoidable. This is really a tale told in two. The first portion, a psychological horror that left me wondering what was going on. Were the characters hallucinating? Losing their minds? We barely get to know Ricky when tragedy strikes. The story hasn’t been told yet. We don’t know what is going on with Ricky. Why is he seeing elk? And Ricky? He doesn’t have the time to understand or parse things through. He’s caught and trapped. Defenseless in a place that should have held relative safety. We don’t know it at the time, but there’s a reason for this. Also in the first portion, we meet Ricky’s childhood friend Lewis. He’s left the reservation and has a stable job, a stable relationship. He is in a good place until he isn’t and we don’t know whether he is in the midst of a nervous breakdown or something more. This confusion is mirrored by Lewis himself who has no idea what is happening because the reality that is cannot match with the reality he has built. This first half really works to create that sense of confusion and intrigue. Wanting to know what is happening and having ideas but not knowing what kind of book this will be. The second half cements what we’re going to get. And with that, the resolute sense of doom that things cannot change no matter how much you want them to. Boy, did I want them to. Despite not knowing much about their lives in the aftermath of the inciting even that happened as boys, I really felt a connection to Cassidy and even Gabriel. They are such tragic characters, though to be honest all four carry their weight of doom picked up during an ignorant youth. I think the characters are what really makes this stand out for me, but everything else being so sturdy is what helps them shine. The structure is fantastic. Pacing moves from fast to moderate and back, building just enough tension to ratchet the doom up before letting readers relax into calm. Then there is the gruesome descriptions and gore. None of it is gratuitous. There’s a purpose for every description as it forces the reader to confront how unnatural and wrong everything that is happening truly is. The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones is easily one of my new favorite horror stories. It is full of emotion, great characters, and wildly memorable scenes. If you can handle graphics descriptions of violence (and the result of said violence) against people and animals, definitely pick this up. If you can’t, maybe find a friend who can and have them dogear the parts to skip over.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com