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ONLY GOOD INDIANS | DISCUSSION > The Only Good Indians | part 1

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message 1: by Lala, owner (new)

Lala BooksandLala (booksandlala) | 156 comments Mod
pages 1 - 129 stopping at "more on this story as it develops" and before the grey page break titled "Sweat Lodge...."

What do you think so far?
Have you ever read a book like this?
Favourite thing / least favourite thing?


message 2: by Lisa (new)

Lisa (spevniak) | 4 comments Wow! That was great. I wasn’t sure when I started if I was going to like the writing in this but it’s really working for me. Great first part.


message 3: by Beth (new)

Beth M (bookhunterb) (Can I comment even if I finished already? No spoilers - promise!) Jones' writing was an adjustment for me, but once I did I thought it was really well paced. It's certainly different from what I'm used to reading. Lewis and Peta were solid, and I was so sure I knew what was going on before the rug was pulled from my feet.


message 4: by Cendaquenta (new)

Cendaquenta I've just finished this part of the book.
I have no idea what is going on. I like it, but I am not comprehending at all. Leaning towards "something is very, very wrong with Lewis". (view spoiler)

Favourite thing is definitely the writing, it's very vivid.
Least favourite, (view spoiler)


message 5: by Riska (new)

Riska Sleepless I loved the opening chapter but then I was completely confused for a while but I liked the writing enough to go on. Then things slowly started to make a very weird kind of sense and I started really enjoying it and I even partly called something that happened towards the end of part one.


message 6: by Elina (new)

Elina (elinamirjami) | 12 comments I am enjoying the book although I have no idea what's going on.


message 7: by Brittany (new)

Brittany (pondering_books) | 21 comments I am really intrigued by this book so far.

I don’t know if I’ve ever read anything like this, but it has some vibes to some movies and shows I like (Donnie Darko and the Hannibal TV show come to mind. Some United States of Tara components too).

I love a good “descent into madness” story line, and I feel like this book starts on the later end of that descent. I’m curious to see where this goes and if some of my instincts on the mental stability of the main character pans out.


message 8: by Alice4170 (new)

Alice4170 🌙 | 14 comments I’m really trying to like this one but liiike it’s just boring!!


message 9: by Vanessa (new)

Vanessa | 1 comments Definitely took a turn i wasnt expecting


message 10: by Alba (new)

Alba Cunill Fulquet (albastruggles) | 2 comments English is not my first language and I'm really struggling with this writing style! I have no idea what's going on hahaha
It sucks because I feel super disconnected, I don't even react to the "bloody" descriptions. I'm hoping I'll pick up as I keep reading, fingers crossed.


message 11: by Nicole (new)

Nicole (nicolebookish) | 17 comments So far I mostly like it but am a little confused. I think its really original & interesting.
I think my favorite part is when the narrator goes back & describes scenes.
Least favorite part was the violence in the chapter before part 2.


message 12: by Eli (new)

Eli (elidhios) | 24 comments I mean I like it, but I don't know what's going on. Maybe because english is not my first language or maybe because the writing style needs some getting used to but it's a weird story and I'm liking it


message 13: by Faduma45 (new)

Faduma45 | 1 comments I love the build up of paranoia and fear. The twist was good and exciting. The writing is different but a good different.


message 14: by Elliot (new)

Elliot Anderson (elliotanderson) | 18 comments loving it!! I have a few theories about what's going on but for everyone saying you're confused or you don't know whats happening - I don't think you're meant to (i might be wrong as I continue to read though). listening to the audio book whilst physically reading it is really helping me through it - so I recommend that! Didn't expect the book to go as graphic as it is going, but this is definitely interesting and different


message 15: by Tonya (new)

Tonya (tpotter) | 3 comments I've only read to page 32, so far, and is it just me or is the writing weird? I'm unfamiliar with this author... but is this how he writes in all of his books or is it specifically for this book? I may have start it over again. I'm a little confused at the moment lol


message 16: by Nicole (new)

Nicole (nicole_treee) Tonya wrote: "I've only read to page 32, so far, and is it just me or is the writing weird? I'm unfamiliar with this author... but is this how he writes in all of his books or is it specifically for this book? I..."

I haven't read his other books, but you definitely get used to it! You're not really supposed to know what's going on in the beginning. the confusion adds to everything!


message 17: by ryan (new)

ryan giblet Similar vibes to White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi and Seed by Ania Ahlborn, imo. Totally diggin it


message 18: by Raven Morris (new)

Raven Morris | 2 comments Very slow start. But towards the middle of part one it starts to pick up. I haven't read anything like this before. It is really intriguing!


message 19: by Samuel (new)

Samuel (libraryosouls) | 20 comments I'm so confused by this book. I barely understand whats happening. if its anything I HATE, it's being confused. theres nothing worse. I'll continue on tho and I hope I'll catch on. otherwise I have no problem with the characters or the writing


message 20: by Tonya (new)

Tonya (tpotter) | 3 comments I started listening to the audiobook... and it's so much easier to understand, the way the narrator reads it.

and all I have to say for chapters 1-16 (pages 1-129) is ... What?! This is very interesting, to the least.


message 21: by Madelyn (new)

Madelyn  Baker (madelynpaige) | 2 comments I have never read anything like this before and I’m loving it. Listening to the audio as I read is really helping me with the writing style. Those last few pages were so full on!


message 22: by Jacob (new)

Jacob Moon (writerjake) | 1 comments Halfway through and I'm beginning to understand the idea behind it. Like this author's literary style, as well as the very different story line. The whole elk haunting theme is creepy good...


message 23: by Louise (new)

Louise Bray Just finished Part 1 and this book is bizarre, I don't think I have ever read anything like this before. I'm kind of enjoying it, but on the condition that I assume it is going to start making sense at some point? Basically, I'm confused but intrigued.


message 24: by Jessica (new)

Jessica | 16 comments Okay, I am so confused (in a good way) and I just want to keep reading to know what is going on. it took me a little while to get into the writing style but I am getting used to it. I like reading the comments that say we are supposed to be confused. that makes me feel better.


message 25: by Christine (new)

Christine | 31 comments I've only read to page 48 and this writing is strange. I don't know this author. I am very confused with this story. I don't understand what is going on.


message 26: by Ashley (new)

Ashley (booksndoggos) | 7 comments Took a couple chapters to get used to the writing style. I'm 50/50 right now. I like the concept and the utilization of the elk in the story. But, I feel like Lewis didn't really go through enough to have a psychotic break. This was over a week. Not even? I'll be curious to see how the other hunters story's play out. (I'm assuming that's where next is.)


message 27: by Pinja (new)

Pinja Idk if it's because english is not my first language but I honestly have no idea about what's going on. There've been full pages that I've read twice and still haven't understood anything. I wasn't shocked by the scenes that I'm guessing were supposed to be graphic because I just feel so disconnected from everything. I miss Harley, he is the only good character >:(


message 28: by Lucie (new)

Lucie (lucieevans) | 35 comments I really wasn't too sure about this for the first 100 or so pages but those last 30 pages?! WHIPLASH. So much action! Interested to see what happens next.


message 29: by Rina (last edited Nov 26, 2020 04:47AM) (new)

Rina (rina_p) | 35 comments What do you think so far?
At first, it was hard for me to latch on to the story (took me a few tries) because of its stream-of-consciousness style (which reminded me of Zone One!). I even had to read the Prologue 3x because I wasn't sure whether the 'elk' in the story was real, or figurative, or a word that actually meant something else which I didn't know about! Then I realised, it was what it was!

I could see the train wreck coming from far far away (the descend into madness), but gosh I was still shocked by the execution. The horror! I was soooo ready to be shocked, and I wasn't disappointed! I'm loving it. I had to stop myself from reading the next part before writing this.

Have you ever read a book like this?
NOPE. Definitely not. I probably have seen a few horror movies in the same spirit (nature related, jump-scares, etc), but I think those movies didn't really care much about the accurate representations of the cultural aspects.

Favourite thing / least favourite thing?
Favourite thing is the Indian culture aspect - I can't speak to the accuracy, but based on reviews out there I believe it's quite accurate?
Least favourite thing is the stream-of-consciousness / word-vomit style. It always takes me a while to get used to the style.


message 30: by Kimberly (new)

Kimberly Swartz (authorkimberlyswartz) | 5 comments What do you think so far?

It's pretty good so far. I like how we are learning what happened little by little.

Have you ever read a book like this?

No, I don't read horror very often but this book is different from any other book I have read.

Favourite thing / least favourite thing?

I love the writing style and my least favorite thing is most of the characters.


message 31: by Justin (new)

Justin Chen | 61 comments The writing style took me some time to get used to, very stream of consciousness, as if the character is mumbling whatever thought that come to mind.

I also had to Google a couple words while reading, to make sure I'm understanding the Native American context correctly. I like how the writer just dropped us into this world, but definitely require some patience to acclimate.

The violence is intense! and I love it


message 32: by Sagal (new)

Sagal Bashir | 1 comments Its alright so far. Its slow and some parts were boring. Im confused but hopefully we’ll get more answers soon. :)
And no, I haven’t read anything like this before.

My favorite thing was when Lewis was describing his wife and least favorite thing was when Ricky and Peta died.


message 33: by Sarah (new)

Sarah (fevrierreads) | 7 comments The writing style is pretty difficult for me to get into, though reading while listening to the audiobook definitely helps!

The plot was pretty slow for my taste, but I love how the paranoia builds up until Lewis just explodes.


message 34: by Annabelle (new)

Annabelle (fiction_is_my_fantasy) | 3 comments I've been struggling a bit with the writing style as I find that he doesn't really explain what he's talking about some of the time and you have to really fill in a lot yourself to understand. I think it's getting better now but up until this point I was really not wanting to continue reading.
the end of this chapter went from 0 to 100 real quick and I was sat here reading at like 1am ( I regret that decision) with my mouth just wide open.
I think that this has kind of re-enforced that gorey horror isn't my jam but otherwise I think it's a good concept so far.
Definitely a weird one though.


message 35: by RennyWest (new)

RennyWest | 50 comments I am strugling with this book. Hard. Not that I don't like it, but because I started it when I wasn't that well and definitely wasn't in the right mood to read it. I think that Autumn is the worst time of the year to read these kinds of stories, but hey. Anyway the book is great so far.


message 36: by Emma (new)

Emma (emmarj) | 8 comments I LOVE Jones's writing style. So, so captivating. Wow. I'm really loving his commentary on race relations and interracial relationships because we rarely get perspective from indigenous authors.

Otherwise, I have NO IDEA what is happening but based on the end of this part I'm leaning away from mental health and leaning into supernatural creepiness.

Least favorite: the dog. Don't F with dogs.

Most favorite: probably the Shaney event because I was SO SHOCKED. I reread it like three times with my jaw on the floor because WHAT. That was so graphic and so unexpected (for me... now I feel like I should have known) just wow.


message 37: by Zibbi (last edited Dec 06, 2020 04:22AM) (new)

Zibbi (zibbiisreading) | 2 comments I'm so late reading the pick for November but these are my thoughts so far:

What do you think so far?
It took me some time to adjust to the writing style. I'm excited to read on to the next parts considering what happened in the first part.

Have you ever read a book like this?
Yes and No? I tend to like the stream of consciousness narrative but this is my first time (I think) for this particular genre.

Favourite thing / least favourite thing?
I will not provide more details but wow! I had to read most of the chapters twice because I cannot believe what was happening. Considering how slow the first chapters are the next one's went too fast!


message 38: by Kathryn (new)

Kathryn Smith Trying to read this before the liveshow! I was quite confused for a lot of this first part, but once I got into what was happening, I am really enjoying it! so gruesome and scary, I love the mixture of the paranormal and psychological


message 39: by Manda (new)

Manda (txtrombone) | 3 comments Listened on audio. DNFd it at 17%. Hated it and could not subject myself to keep reading


message 40: by Scarlet Buffy (new)

Scarlet Buffy | 1 comments I <3ed it and I did I not of both audio and physical reading and have it 4 stars


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