Indian Killer
by Sherman Alexie
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 968)
recommends it for:
sherman alexie fan, those interested in issues of identity
The Indian Killer is a departure from much of Alexie's other works, just as his poetry and short fiction are departures from one another. The book tells the story of a Native American serial killer is Seattle who scalps and murders white victims; of John Smith, a Native American who was adopted as a baby by affluent white parents; of Marie Polatkin, a fiery Native American activist and student; and of several white characters who are certain they understand the "Indian condition" whil...more
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recommends it for:
people who have dealt with white guilt
This was my introduction to Sherman Alexie, and I still think it is his best work that I've read to date. The title itself made me question my thought processes, as I immediately envisioned a book replaying and displaying the historical themes of colonization and genocide against Native Americans in a modernized plot. This is, of course, what Alexie is doing, but the story centers around a couple of local murders attributed to an "Indian Killer" -- an Indian who kills, not someone who ...more
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Read in January, 1997
I'm trying to add reviews of books I may not have read in awhile so I'll keep this short. I've kept most of Alexie's books but I gave away and/or sold this one.
It was still good, and it still explored the idea of what it means, and how others interpret what it means to be a "real" Indian; along with exploring the people who feel entitled to write or teach about it without having a real knowledge. At some points though, I wonder if Alexie feels that only Native American writers ...more
It was still good, and it still explored the idea of what it means, and how others interpret what it means to be a "real" Indian; along with exploring the people who feel entitled to write or teach about it without having a real knowledge. At some points though, I wonder if Alexie feels that only Native American writers ...more
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Read in February, 2008
i really like what i've read by sherman alexie and this one is no different.
the seeming protagonist in the book is john smith, a native man who was adopted by white parents. while we follow john smith's life and struggles with his identity and mental health, we learn about a serial killer dubbed "the indian killer." the murderer is called such because he scalps his victims (all white men) and leaves owl feathers at the scene. the spree of killings brings to the surface the racism ...more
the seeming protagonist in the book is john smith, a native man who was adopted by white parents. while we follow john smith's life and struggles with his identity and mental health, we learn about a serial killer dubbed "the indian killer." the murderer is called such because he scalps his victims (all white men) and leaves owl feathers at the scene. the spree of killings brings to the surface the racism ...more
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Read in April, 2003
recommended to Duncan by:
professor what's his namerecommends it for: masochists who want a big payoff later
Sadness and anger... While reading "flight" i couldn't help comparing it to Indian Killer. Totally different. The complete pessimism of Indian Killer is replaced by an optimism, a need to leave the past behind despite its horrific injustices. The two side by side would be a good read, especially since flight is alexei's first book in a while. I feel that between the two of them, some huge change has taken place in the man.
It's been a while since I read Indian killer, but I've...more
It's been a while since I read Indian killer, but I've...more
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Read in February, 2008
recommended to brendan by:
Reno Cambridgerecommends it for: almost anyone
This book is another fine example of Alexie's beautiful, poetic prose. The uncomfortable truths presented in this story are necessary facts concerning the native american/white social relations. As a white person I did not feel good about myself after reading this novel, but I also understand that I cannot let the guilt control my future interactions with non-white.
The murder mystery form has been interestingly contorted to suit the needs of the native american story form. ....more
The murder mystery form has been interestingly contorted to suit the needs of the native american story form. ....more
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Read in February, 2008
recommends it for:
white people
This is the second Sherman Alexie book I have read. It's about a serial killer in Seattle whose victims are white males. It also follows several different characters, all of whom could be the serial killer. Meanwhile, racial tensions in Seattle mount and racially motivated violence spirals upward.
Alexie's two main questions seem to be: 1. What makes someone a "real" Indian? and 2. What to do with all these white people? Some of the Native folks in his books know their ancestral la...more
Alexie's two main questions seem to be: 1. What makes someone a "real" Indian? and 2. What to do with all these white people? Some of the Native folks in his books know their ancestral la...more
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Read in January, 2006
I read this a couple of years ago, but I remember being surprised that it was a best-seller in the US. The story is ambiguous and complicated but not difficult to follow. The primary tension is in the identity of a serial killer labeled the "Indian Killer" by the media, though nobody actually knows who the killer is, or whether they are an "Indian." Fascinating right up to the end. The ending will provoke discussion if you know other people who've read it, and I think was abo...more
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it was one of those reads where suddenly you're nearing the end and you wonder how you got there so quickly. a definite page turner with some thought provoking topics staring at you in the face and forcing you to think about it with each read word. i enjoyed it and it was interesting that the story is set in the seattle area, where all the names and places are so familiar to me. but also discombobulating with an ending and a few characters that were lacking for me, to the point where i dropped i...more
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Read in May, 2008
Race relations and racial identity isn't an easy thing, especially when there's murder.
So many characters really add to the story - the mentally unstable Indian-adopted-by-whites, the bigoted radio talk-show host, the Wannabe-Indian-ex-cop-mystery-writer, the homeless Indians, the activist Indians, the whites who romanticize the Native American heritage, and those who blame the Native Americans for the state they find themselves in. I couldn't put it down - especially with chapters that alt...more
So many characters really add to the story - the mentally unstable Indian-adopted-by-whites, the bigoted radio talk-show host, the Wannabe-Indian-ex-cop-mystery-writer, the homeless Indians, the activist Indians, the whites who romanticize the Native American heritage, and those who blame the Native Americans for the state they find themselves in. I couldn't put it down - especially with chapters that alt...more
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His other books weren't available at the library, so I went for this one. It was an interesting comment on racial tensions, but seemed overstated, was extremely grotesque and had one of the worst, most unsatisfying endings I've ever read. The characters were more like charicatures and, even though it was listed as a mystery, the mystery is never solved. I'll have to read one of his other books to redeem my opinion of him.
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I just read this book last week and wanted to give it 3 1/2 stars but obviously couldn't. I didn't give it four because, well, here's why: I think the literary world is trying to make Sherman Alexie more than he is. I think he tells a great story, which this novel is, but the prose can be a bit thin, which is why I don't think of his novels as literature (I know, it sounds snobby; forgive) but as just good novels--sort of the difference between Graham Greene's literary novels and his entertai...more
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4 comments
A real page turner. I couldn't put this book down. A fresh, graphic, spiritual, and shocking story of identity. If you've ever read Alexie's poetry or other novels, then you may know what to expect. Warning: the ending is tragic and a bit unresolved, but it makes a lot of sense if you are used to reading Native American or post col. lit. More review to come later, but 5- stars for Indian Killer and Alexie, who remains one of my favorite authors and poets.
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Read in January, 2007
I loved Indian Killer. I couldn’t put it down; it is a fast paced thriller that includes an intellectual discussion about ethnic identity, and the hypocritical collective memory of American History. Alexie’s novel artistically exposes the layers of an introverted society that continually recreates history to cater to the powerful and the wealthy. It was cathartic, and scary to read
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Read in July, 1998
read this book one summer when i was trapped in central MA. and it was a comfort then. alexie is one of those authors who you want to say, "well, he's overrated" because alexie himself is so cocky and such in person. but he is such a captivating and virtuosic writer, you just have to bow down and accept that he is as good as he knows he is. didn't put this book down except to sleep.
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Read in June, 2007
I read this book in a day.
I really enjoyed Reservation Blues, by Alexi and I had my eye on Indian Killer for awhile before I grabbed it. Indian Killer was much darker than Reservation Blues. The characters still had that humor, but not as much. They were much more dark, but I still loved them. It was a very quick read and Alexi's simplistic style adds to this book's charm.
I really enjoyed Reservation Blues, by Alexi and I had my eye on Indian Killer for awhile before I grabbed it. Indian Killer was much darker than Reservation Blues. The characters still had that humor, but not as much. They were much more dark, but I still loved them. It was a very quick read and Alexi's simplistic style adds to this book's charm.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in December, 2007
you know i love sherman alexie...and i love the theme of some ghost-dance inspired revenge in modern day pacific northwest. as i said about flight, alexie did not end this well for me. a little kumbahyah for my liking, not enough white people being killed et cetera. that said, i appreciated some of the stylistic turns alexie made in this. i do much prefer his short stories.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
Interesting. I feel like I got a taste of another culture while I was reading. Strange to have read it while all this race stuff with Obama, Clinton and the gang is going on... not to mention the anniversary of Dr. King's assassination. I think it's better than a three, but it wasn't one of Alexie's best. Grim. Certainly worth reading.
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Read in January, 2002
recommends it for:
??
This was a shocking journey into the mind of a serial killer. I can't say I enjoyed this book. It did stick with me though. I almost felt apologetic reading this, as there were parts of the story where the native narrator would express frustration towards caucasians that tried to "get" natives. That lens seemed to intensify the journey.
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Read in January, 2002
recommends it for:
un. Maybe.
a commendable book, sadly not for the writing or the story, but for the author, and subject matter. yeah, yeah, a multicultural cannon is terrible according to all the white guys (i.e. harold bloom), boo this and booo that, but whatever. it's great someone's doing it. some things need a voice, and should not be silent. speak on dude.
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