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    The Only Good Indians
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    The Only Good Indians
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    The Only Good Indians
    Ebook350 pages5 hours

    The Only Good Indians

    By Stephen Graham Jones

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    “Thrilling, literate, scary, immersive."
    —Stephen King

    The Stoker, Mark Twain American Voice in Literature, Bradbury, Locus and Alex Award-winning, NYT-bestselling gothic horror about cultural identity, the price of tradition and revenge for fans of Adam Nevill’s The Ritual.

    Ricky, Gabe, Lewis and Cassidy are men bound to their heritage, bound by society, and trapped in the endless expanses of the landscape. Now, ten years after a fateful elk hunt, which remains a closely guarded secret between them, these men – and their children – must face a ferocious spirit that is coming for them, one at a time. A spirit which wears the faces of the ones they love, tearing a path into their homes, their families and their most sacred moments of faith.

    Ten years after that fateful hunt, these men are being stalked themselves. Soaked with a powerful gothic atmosphere, the endless expanses of the landscape press down on these men – and their children – as the ferocious spirit comes for them one at a time.

    The Only Good Indians, charts Nature’s revenge on a lost generation that maybe never had a chance. Cleaved to their heritage, these parents, husbands, sons and Indians, men live on the fringes of a society that has rejected them, refusing to challenge their exile to limbo.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTitan Books
    Release dateJul 21, 2020
    ISBN9781789095302
    Author

    Stephen Graham Jones

    Stephen Graham Jones is the New York Times bestselling author of The Only Good Indians. He has been an NEA fellowship recipient and a recipient of several awards including the Ray Bradbury Award from the Los Angeles Times, the Bram Stoker Award, the Shirley Jackson Award, the Jesse Jones Award for Best Work of Fiction from the Texas Institute of Letters, the Independent Publishers Award for Multicultural Fiction, and the Alex Award from American Library Association. He is the Ivena Baldwin Professor of English at the University of Colorado Boulder.

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    Reviews for The Only Good Indians

    4/5

    358 ratings30 reviews

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    • 4/5
      This is a horror story about Crow and Blackfeet. It's a story of revenge. A teenage mother pregnant elk is going to"get" the Indians that shot her, and buried her still-breathing calf. It is a very satisfying story, and really, one that I wish were real, and happened always, with every innocent animal murdered needlessly, by humans.
    • 2/5
      I wasn't able to finish this book. I had such a tough time grasping what the book was even discussing, let alone the metaphors of the deer. By the time I got to point where the young girl entered, I could no longer say I understood the book at all. I had to stop. I had similar trouble with Grahams, "Night of the Mannequins". It's as if there is prior knowledge for each book. Maybe I just didn't have my thinking cap on that day, but I had to put it down unfortunately.
    • 5/5
      Oh yeah, karma's a bitch. Four friends from the Blackfeet Nation make a grave mistake with the natural world and the consequences are horrifying. I wouldn't characterize this as a typical ghost story however the characters are all haunted and the book itself has been haunting me since the last page. Stephen Graham Jones blends horror with a beautiful narrative style that reminds me a lot of Stephen King and Ramsay Campbell. My plan is to read ALL of his novels as this was such an impressive introduction for me. Dark, violent and grisly in all the best ways.
    • 5/5
      Such a fun read. I'd highly recommend it. It's dark at times but in a twists and turns way.
    • 4/5
      I picked this book up at a used bookstore on a whim. It's not a genre I read much of but something about it intrigued me. This novel tell the story of 4 American Indians who cross the line and hunt on sacred grounds. Years later, the past starts to haunt them as the plot turns supernatural-horror. It turned out to be a very good read. The writing was very good and there's a lot going on besides the primary plot line. There' much social commentary about identity, revenge, and tradition. I would recommend this book with a caveat that there's quite a lot of gory scenes and horrific things happen to both people and animals. So it isn't for everyone.
    • 4/5
      Audiobook narrated by Shaun Taylor-Corbett - Four teenage boys carelessly kill the wrong elk during hunting season on their Blackfeet reservation. They made a stupid mistake, but no one saw them, so they hid it. Ten years later they have scattered to the wind and started their own lives and their own families, but the elk remembers and picks them off, one by one.Absolutely unique and so imaginative! Really spooky horror. The author does very cool things with perspective, switching between the elk spirit and the individual victims up until their deaths. There doesn’t feel like any good guys or bad guys here. The boys knew they shouldn’t be hunting in that area, but their deaths are gruesome and torturous and affect so many other people. The spirit’s revenge feels both awful and inevitable. Highly recommend this as an audiobook, for the vibes.
    • 5/5
      Bleak and beautiful, heartbreaking and hopeful, with a really intense ending - definitely one of the best books I've read this year. It had some surprising twists - I thought it was one thing when I started, then it very abruptly became something else entirely - and great characters.
    • 5/5
      On par with Edgar Allan Poe's tales of terror rooted in revenge or wrongdoings, The horror in The Only Good Indians sneaks up on the reader, but always has the reader on edge. Just like the four main characters in the story, you know the danger is out there, but never when it will strike. The Only Good Indians is a story of: the consequences of acting without thought, the strength of the female spirit when protecting what it loves. It is a story of the respect the land's four legged children deserve and demand. It is a story of revenge and attempts to make amends, even with one's last breath. It is a story of hope. Highly recommended! Content Warnings: Graphic depictions of death
    • 4/5
      This is a 3.4 for me, but I think the issues are all mine, not SGRs. First things first, the writing here is great, clear, evocative, liberally dotted with smart and subtle humor. I am not a horror reader, and generally do not gravitate to fantasy and folklore. I think I have a faulty imagination. There are exceptions, fantasy and horror I have liked a great deal, but this didn't get there for me. That is all to say that the Blackfeet legend was appreciated, but this lousy reader did not connect with it at a heart level. The first half of the book (not counting the first chapter, which was dynamite) was more in 2-3 star territory, but the last third was riveting, so it balanced out for me. What an ode to indigenous women! I did fall in love with Denora.I also loved the way the climax was structured around a no holds barred basketball matchup. I could absolutely see everything happening in my minds eye like I had a front row seat.
    • 4/5
      I thought this was SGJ's most mature novel to date, and really good horror, to boot. Real horror, as well--in that there are scenes that will horrify you. This is a tale of revenge sparked by the unjust killing of an elk by four young Indian men. The monster that arises out of that act is unique and terrifying, yet feels grounded in Blackfeet lore. The Indian characters seem real and whole, yet SGJ manages to weave in important commentary on reservation life and the historical treatment of Native Americans without coming across as preachy. The climax is never-wracking suspense, but the ending is not what you might expect and poses a potential solution to never-ending conflict.
    • 5/5
      It has been awhile since I've read horror this good, this visceral, this immersive. Stephen Graham Jones' writing is so intense that I even found myself laser-focused on a basketball game, that was so much more that a simple one-on-one match. (A fucking sportsball game! Me intent on it. Note the date.)The Only Good Indians is brilliantly written and breathtaking horror. With realistic characters and deftly interwoven social commentary, it took me to the edge of my seat and provoked me to consider the world in different ways. My thanks to the author for one hell of a ride.Content warning: violence against animals, teens, and womenI was fortunate to receive an advanced, complimentary copy via NetGalley in exchange for honest feedback. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this possible.
    • 3/5
      After a group of young male friends slaughters elk where they shouldn’t have, the spirit of Elk Head Woman comes after them. While racism and poverty structure their lives and explain something about why they did it, Elk Head Woman doesn’t care. Warning for gore.
    • 4/5
      Be careful what you sow because you reap what you sow…Ten years ago, four young American Indians went hunting and had killed some elks, illegally… and they had no idea what would be the consequences of their actions…Fast forward to present day, the 10th anniversary of the said killing, one of these Indians keeps encountering some unexplainable hideous incidents until…I like the creepy horror and suspense of this “The Only Good Indians” by Stephen Graham Jones. Nonetheless, the flow of the story is a bit choppy; at some points, the story-telling lacks some strength. Author Stephen Graham Jones has great potential to write good horror, creepy and haunting novels, and I am looking forward to reading Mr. Jones’s future novels of such genre.I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this eARC.
    • 5/5
      I had read some of Jones's work prior to picking this book up, and, while I thought it was solid stuff, it didn't really excite me greatly. This novel, however, is a quantum leap forward for Jones. An absolute knockout of a horror story! Rich, emotionally powerful, terrifying, and a definite page-turner.
    • 4/5
      This novel has so much going for it, particularly a great climax and ending, that I have to feel like I'm being a bit churlish splitting hairs, as I oscillated between 3.5 and 4 stars. What it boils down to is that none of the four men who set in motion the horrors really have a part to play in the endgame of the story, and that feels like a structural problem to me. Your mileage may differ, and I'd probably let you convince me that the real story in the book is that of the character who does rise to the occasion in the end.
    • 5/5
      Being classified as a horror novel by the author himself as well as critics and readers, this is not my usual fare. And it was excellent. Four young Blackfeet men were involved in a pretty ugly hunting incident ten years ago. Over the decade, they have moved on their lives, grown up and largely grown apart. This novel is the story of how that long-ago incident finds them, haunts them, and affects them. It is a tale of revenge, of the settling of scores. It is also a tale of family, of hope and heart. Suspend your disbelief and dive in, but perhaps not late at night when your alarm will go off early. It is definitely not a cure for insomnia.
    • 4/5
      This is very much an unusual and thrilling ride. I have to say, it didn't immediately grab me, although I wasn't disliking it either, but then a switch gets flipped and it goes rocketing off down a hidden turning. Overall it's a great read. I did find my attention slipping at times, but current events are not doing my concentration any favours, and basketball isn't any part of my life (although its role in the book is a good fit).
    • 4/5
      Only reason I cannot rave about this book is because I don’t like horror stories. This one was a hair-raiser. It was scary and every other synonym you can think of for creepy. Following the three Blackfeet men who have been friends since they were failures as kids, along with the violence it emphasized the treatment Indians have gotten from society since the beginning of the European invasion, so maybe a horror story is the best way to treat the subject.
    • 4/5
      In my opinion, The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones falls under the slow burn style of horror fiction. I can see how this author has been compared to filmmaker Jordan Peele and author Paul Tremblay (and if you haven't read Paul Tremblay, then you should - especially Cabin at the End of the World). Anyhoo... Jones takes a bad decision made by four childhood friends and turns it into a creeping tale of revenge. The setting, an Indian reservation and the surrounding areas, is unique, the "big bad" is definitely creepy, the writing style is detailed and the characters are well developed. This is absolutely a one-of-a-kind horror story. And I do have to add this... usually the printing/covers of advanced reader copies are pretty basic, but this one is great! A soft touch finish on the cover including textured spot printing on the horns of the elk is a really nice touch. I really do enjoy a book that feels nice to hold!
    • 5/5
      Freaking Frightening Stuff. A wonderful mix of Native Culture and Karma Nightmares. I tell you what I'm so happy to be a vegetarian who has never killed an animal. This wicked is not playing games, it's pissed and has no fear and hides in plain sight. Gods what a wonderful novel. I love a get what you give story :P Karma baby. Audiobook (perfect narrator)
    • 4/5
      I liked this story because it really brought out the life and culture of the Native American. I liked that it was circular and really enjoyed the use of the elk in the story. It really is "horror"; there was times I was cringing.
    • 5/5
      Phenomenal book that kept me ensnared from start to finish. I look forward to exploring other works by this author.
    • 4/5
      Read for bookriot #readharder challenge. Number 24, Native American author.

      I enjoyed the story tremendously. Slow build, but some scenes were definitely scary, and the overall premise was unique enough to be worth the read.

      I wanted to understand the characters more. It was a short book with a lot of key characters so not much room to really attach yourself to them. But likable enough and a good peek into life as a Native American.

      I didn’t like the slips into second person either. I understand it was likely to make you feel for the “villain” but it was done so sporadically and suddenly that it only succeeded in pulling me out of the story.

      I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a Native American spooky contemporary story.
    • 5/5
      "The Only Good Indians" is the ideal horror novel. It provides characters in which the reader can easily invest, who are then thrown into terrible danger from a paranormal (and very scary) source. What makes this one really stand out in the genre is the fact that it doesn't follow the standard "band of buddies teams up to fight the evil entity" trope. Instead, the entity in question is targeting its victims for a very specific and logical reason. Also, each individual must figure out what's going on and try to deal with it on his own. I very much appreciated this unique aspect of the story.Another major point in the book's favor is that, while the reader does feel sympathy for the targets, he/she can also understand the motivation behind the actions of the "villain", and see that there is some degree of justification there. This leaves the reader torn, as you'll have some degree of sympathy for both sides.Another thing the author brings to the table is an impressively detailed look into the lives of the Blackfeet and (to a lesser extent) Crow people. I enjoyed learning about their everyday lives, their cultural identity, and the issues they sometimes encountered in integrating into "white" society.Interestingly, parts of the book are written in second person, which only adds to the overall creepiness of the plot. This is a seldom used perspective, and is even more rarely handled well. The author utilizes this voice just the right amount, in just the right places, to ramp up the tension of the story.I would be remiss if I didn't also mention how much I loved Denorah. She is a minor player for much of the book, but she is a fabulous character who could absolutely carry her own spin-off story. I'd love to read about how her life plays out after the end of the plot of this book, and how what she's learned affects her plans going forward.Bravo to this new-to-me author for bringing me something truly new and original to read!Five out of five chunks of extra-sharp cheddar!
    • 5/5
      100% would watch a movie adaptation of this novel.
    • 5/5
      More than a horror novel Make no mistake, this is more than a horror novel with a Native American inspired monster. There is an underlying theme in The Only Good Indians, one that shines a light on what it means to be a Native American trapped in modern America. Trapped by what the white man expects you to be and finding no way out of it, no way off the reservation except to die. Or maybe there is hope. I guess you'll have to read the book to see.There is plenty of gut wrenching horror here, and the characters are not always likable, except they're trying. They’re trying to be better than what they were born to be in the eyes of the rest of America. And the diehard horror fans will probably catch a too obvious hint near the end concerning which final characters live or die.But the deeper meaning that I got from the story is what pushed me to rate it from a four to a five. Well worth the read.
    • 2/5
      Based on reviews and critical acclaim a lot of people really like this book - unfortunately I’m not one of them. It has an interesting premise and provides some eye-opening insights into the Native American perspective. But I found the rambling narrative style and strange grammar choices and sentence structure off putting to the extent that I had to work hard at times to figure out what was going on. When I read I generally forget I’m actually going through the process and mechanics of reading I just exist within the story and get drawn along with the narrative. With this book I was way too aware that I was “reading” and felt like an outsider looking in, and as a result I just didn’t care about any of the characters or what happened to them.
    • 2/5
      I want to like this book. It’s got a plot with potential; a blend of an ill-conceived elk hunt, a vengeful spirit, and generations of faith and heritage, though I’m not sure I’d classify this as horror. Sadly, I feel I had to drag myself through its pages, so I took weeks to read this in small snippets, and skimmed most of the basketball sections, which is one of the many passages that go on too long. Many of the sentences are ropey, and at first read aren’t clear, requiring they be read as a whole to guess or piece together what’s happening. Many scenes are simply muddy owing to the convoluted style, which made the book rather boring. I’m sorry to say this writer’s style simply isn’t for me, but it seems to garner polarising reviews, so I’d suggest trying a sample and making up your own mind.
    • 4/5
      This felt quite strange, but I don't read a lot of horror stories, so it might not be that much further out there than usual. For maybe the first half of the book even, I felt a little like I might have been missing something, but I don't believe I actually had. By the second half, I was still knocked off kilter sometimes, but I felt more confident that I was following along as well as anyone might. It's a little bit grizzly, but also interesting and sort of darkly poetic. I'm glad I read it.
    • 2/5
      I’m afraid I abandoned this one. I felt like I came into the middle of a story that I knew nothing about and after reading up to 25% of the book, things never got any better. I’m really disappointed because I was hoping this would be an exciting read.