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A review by zaiphon
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Another SGJ down—and everything else he's ever written to go.
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter blends historical fiction and horror, wrapped in that signature SGJ style that just works. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives: Good Stab, a Lutheran priest named Arthur Beaucarne, and present-day Etsy Beaucarne. Their lives, although separated by time, are intertwined through a shared legacy of darkness and bloodshed. The novel kicks off with the discovery of a journal from 1912, and from there, we uncover its buried truths through the alternating accounts of Good Stab and Arthur.
Colonial violence looms heavily in the background, but SGJ brings it to the forefront in deeply personal ways. I found myself enjoying the slow burn connection the story builds of Good Stab’s journey, and through his eyes, I gained a fuller understanding of the landscape—both literal and emotional—where this story takes place.
As the novel settles into its rhythm, the reader is introduced to multiple timelines, terms/vocabulary, and cultural references that may be unfamiliar to many readers. I truly appreciated the lack of a glossary and think this was a great choice—it invites readers to learn as you go, and that active engagement makes the payoff by the final page even more satisfying. SGJ doesn’t spoon-feed and instead entrusts the reader to rise to the challenge.
And of course, it wouldn’t be an SGJ novel without his trademark horror, gore, and deeply human characters. This story is dark, intricate, and unflinchingly raw—but also incredibly rewarding.
Highly recommend for longtime fans or anyone looking for a haunting, layered read that lingers long after the final chapter.
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter blends historical fiction and horror, wrapped in that signature SGJ style that just works. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives: Good Stab, a Lutheran priest named Arthur Beaucarne, and present-day Etsy Beaucarne. Their lives, although separated by time, are intertwined through a shared legacy of darkness and bloodshed. The novel kicks off with the discovery of a journal from 1912, and from there, we uncover its buried truths through the alternating accounts of Good Stab and Arthur.
Colonial violence looms heavily in the background, but SGJ brings it to the forefront in deeply personal ways. I found myself enjoying the slow burn connection the story builds of Good Stab’s journey, and through his eyes, I gained a fuller understanding of the landscape—both literal and emotional—where this story takes place.
As the novel settles into its rhythm, the reader is introduced to multiple timelines, terms/vocabulary, and cultural references that may be unfamiliar to many readers. I truly appreciated the lack of a glossary and think this was a great choice—it invites readers to learn as you go, and that active engagement makes the payoff by the final page even more satisfying. SGJ doesn’t spoon-feed and instead entrusts the reader to rise to the challenge.
And of course, it wouldn’t be an SGJ novel without his trademark horror, gore, and deeply human characters. This story is dark, intricate, and unflinchingly raw—but also incredibly rewarding.
Highly recommend for longtime fans or anyone looking for a haunting, layered read that lingers long after the final chapter.