The Only Good Indians, by Stephen Graham Jones

In case you haven't been paying attention to horror fiction for the past 5 years or so, Stephen Graham Jones needs no introduction.

So, I will assume you've been paying attention.

I've recently read and reviewed his newest release, My Heart is a Chainsaw (out on August 31st), and I feel the same way about that one as I did for this one: Basically, it's more smart than fun. Depending on your point of view, this is either a compliment or a detriment.

As usual with Jones's books, it's conceptually great, and for a patient reader I understand how it can be a rewarding experience. It just doesn't work for me. There are long stream-of-consciousness style passages that bog down the narrative. Over the course of a full-size novel, it wore me down.

To be fair, I am very much in the minority with this opinion. The Only Good Indians is essentially universally praised and has also recently won the coveted Stoker award.

So, am I wrong? Maybe. But I'm just here to be honest.

Grade: C

Review by Jason Cavallaro
jcavallaro42@gmail.com
Twitter: @pinheadspawn