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A review by m_lefaye
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
5.0
It has been quite some time since a book has left me shaken the way “The Only Good Indians” has. I say this in the best possible sense because while the story may have been difficult to get through, it was well worth the effort.
The narrative is pretty standard when looked at from face value; Four Native American friends go on a hunting trip they shouldn’t be on and the results of their rampage have long reaching and devastating consequences. A “respect your traditions” tale of warning. What makes this book grip you the reader is both the changing narrative, as we learn more about these four boys turned men and where life has taken them, as well as, the perspective of the woman thing stalking them, searching for retribution for the wrongs she believes she is owed.
I am not a fan of putting in too many spoilers as I want others to feel the way I did reading this the first time with little knowledge as to what I was getting into. Trust me, if you can get through the heaviness of this story, you will come out the other side a little shell shocked.
With that being said, I will offer some trigger warnings. First, Stephen Graham Jones’ method of story telling takes some getting used to. The narrative jumps around a bit and the language/manner of speaking of those on the reservation is difficult to get used to. However, once you do, you’ll appreciate the world you are glimpsing into, especially if you’re like me and know next to nothing about reservations or those who inhabit them.
Second, all the trigger warnings. Animal death, animal mutilation, pet death, murder, suicide, depression, alcoholism, and limited but visceral scenes of destruction. Nothing is over done but the images of what you read as it happens is difficult at best.
As I stated at the start of my review, this book shook me, and it took longer then I expected to get through it because of that. In the end, I highly recommend this story but offer warning that it is tough, it is depressing, it is a story of loss, endurance, revenge, and coming full circle.
The narrative is pretty standard when looked at from face value; Four Native American friends go on a hunting trip they shouldn’t be on and the results of their rampage have long reaching and devastating consequences. A “respect your traditions” tale of warning. What makes this book grip you the reader is both the changing narrative, as we learn more about these four boys turned men and where life has taken them, as well as, the perspective of the woman thing stalking them, searching for retribution for the wrongs she believes she is owed.
I am not a fan of putting in too many spoilers as I want others to feel the way I did reading this the first time with little knowledge as to what I was getting into. Trust me, if you can get through the heaviness of this story, you will come out the other side a little shell shocked.
With that being said, I will offer some trigger warnings. First, Stephen Graham Jones’ method of story telling takes some getting used to. The narrative jumps around a bit and the language/manner of speaking of those on the reservation is difficult to get used to. However, once you do, you’ll appreciate the world you are glimpsing into, especially if you’re like me and know next to nothing about reservations or those who inhabit them.
Second, all the trigger warnings. Animal death, animal mutilation, pet death, murder, suicide, depression, alcoholism, and limited but visceral scenes of destruction. Nothing is over done but the images of what you read as it happens is difficult at best.
As I stated at the start of my review, this book shook me, and it took longer then I expected to get through it because of that. In the end, I highly recommend this story but offer warning that it is tough, it is depressing, it is a story of loss, endurance, revenge, and coming full circle.