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vickizliu's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
I didn’t necessarily connect with the prose/writing style of this book but loved the very bone chilling concept that at the same time weaves the complicated feelings of contemporary native life into the core of the book.
I didn’t necessarily connect with the prose/writing style of this book but loved the very bone chilling concept that at the same time weaves the complicated feelings of contemporary native life into the core of the book.
tdavidovsky's review against another edition
3.0
The Only Good Indians is mostly just a few solid character studies mixed with a fun and suspenseful horror story about a deeply unsettling vengeful spirit. It also has a good authentic portrayal of Blackfeet Nation, and the surrounding social commentary raises typical questions about who and what the real monsters are. The plot goes off the rails toward the end, but overall, the book doesn't offer anything hugely subversive or revolutionary, and it doesn't need to.
Yet despite the fact that the book is rather ordinary, it still doesn't read like other horror novels, mostly because the author's voice is so striking. Stephen Graham Jones's stream of consciousness writing style has a distinctive cadence with a lot of colloquialisms. It takes time and effort to get used to it. Patience is required, and it's not always worth it, but it doesn't take away too much from the reading experience.
Yet despite the fact that the book is rather ordinary, it still doesn't read like other horror novels, mostly because the author's voice is so striking. Stephen Graham Jones's stream of consciousness writing style has a distinctive cadence with a lot of colloquialisms. It takes time and effort to get used to it. Patience is required, and it's not always worth it, but it doesn't take away too much from the reading experience.
vastlecania's review against another edition
3.0
I dunno...hard to really say anything about this. Lots of women suffering because the men in their life kinda suck. Wasn't a huge fan and the lengthy descriptions of basketball moves really dragged out the ending for me.
vengefuldime's review against another edition
4.0
It is a slow read, but once the pace picks up it picks up very quickly, and all the little details thread together in a satisfying, well-done way.
qwedsa123's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
mysbxt's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
emmajewish's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I couldn't really form an attachment to the characters, and the audiobook got me all sorts of turned around with who's who! The ending was drawn out but also maintained tension...which I admire in a confused way.
On the surface, it's a lesson in why family annihilation is ALWAYS a bad idea - regardless of species. But there's deep folklore and Native American heritage that is worthwhile in this book. If I pick it up again, it will be a physical copy, though! I think some of the POV is lost in narration.
On the surface, it's a lesson in why family annihilation is ALWAYS a bad idea - regardless of species. But there's deep folklore and Native American heritage that is worthwhile in this book. If I pick it up again, it will be a physical copy, though! I think some of the POV is lost in narration.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Murder, Animal death, Blood, and Suicide
Minor: Racism