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A review by lamentconfiguration
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I almost DNF'ed this because I felt the pacing was a little drag-y. And then I said, "one more try", and I picked it back up, and a few pages later two women had been killed and one of them gave birth to an elk calf. Which I think is the exact vibe of this entire book -- a loping pace that suddenly breaks into a gallop every so often.
What I liked about this book, what kept me reading even when it dragged (aside from the desire to see how it all resolves), is the author's voice. I enjoy writer voices that have distinct cultural specificity. I think it ends well, Denorah's choice bringing a quiet defiance to a theme of peoples trapped in cycles that inform and cripple their lives. And frankly, the premise is pretty wild (pun intended) -- but it often gets buried in expository meandering and mundane character interactions.
What I liked about this book, what kept me reading even when it dragged (aside from the desire to see how it all resolves), is the author's voice. I enjoy writer voices that have distinct cultural specificity. I think it ends well, Denorah's choice bringing a quiet defiance to a theme of peoples trapped in cycles that inform and cripple their lives. And frankly, the premise is pretty wild (pun intended) -- but it often gets buried in expository meandering and mundane character interactions.