Scan barcode
depeachymode's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lucasplusbooks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A ghost story on the surface, but truly an exploration of generational traumas. A quick novella that is punchy and able to destroy you
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Animal death, and Mental illness
mikegld561's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
cherese's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
SGJ has crafted the kind of compulsively readable tale you simply have to stay up late devouring - both because you're utterly enthralled and because there's something viscerally satisfying about consuming good horror in the dead of night. The atmosphere he conjures is quite unsettling.
But this is more than just a spooky page-turner. At its core, it's an exploration of trauma's lasting impacts through the lens of the supernatural. This compact yet richly layered novella builds to a devastating emotional crescendo. It's the type of story that lingers in your psyche long after finishing, leaving you probing its thematic depths while still feeling vaguely unnerved. A masterful, haunting blend of genres that both chills and chills you to contemplate life's tougher truths.
insulinandinkwell's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
"Mapping the Interior" by Stephen Graham Jones is a compelling fusion of a ghost story and a poignant exploration of heritage and identity. Through the eyes of a young boy confronting the spectral image of his father, the novella delves into the depths of grief, the struggle of self-discovery, and the inevitability of inheriting familial legacies. Jones's storytelling is both evocative and unsettling, weaving the supernatural with the stark realities of indigenous life. The narrative is a labyrinth where each turn reflects the complexities of the past and the intricacies of coming of age. A thought-provoking read that lingers in the mind, urging one to consider the vast interiors of their own life and lineage.
tricapra's review against another edition
5.0
I won't be able to say enough positive things about this. I'll be reading more Jones.
ashceleste12's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
spaceman5000's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting novella from a Native American perspective. More than just simply a ghost story, this tale, although short, is deep. Family drama and history play a part and it's fascinating. Highly recommended.
mgouker's review against another edition
5.0
Such a creepy story and so unsettling, but this is why I read horror, to know the darkest part of the mind, to map my own interior. Jones writes with purpose and audacity and the images beckon to be explored. Just be careful where you go I suppose: You might get bitten or find some dark water.