Literally Dead Book Club discussion
ONLY GOOD INDIANS | DISCUSSION
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The Only Good Indians | part 3
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I gave this book 5 stars! I know not everyone liked it, but the ending made me emotional to the point of crying. I felt satisfied that the elk mother was reunited with her child but when Denorah protected them from being shot I lost it. She broke the cycle the Thanksgiving Classic started and it felt right after all of the carnage the elk mother had unleashed.This book was so unexpected! I was stunned by the deaths and the level of brutality. After I learned why the elk mother was doing it I had a hard time because I supported her revenge to a point, but I also didn't want anyone else to die. Once Denorah was all that's left, I knew that elk head woman wasn't going to stop by herself. I was so sad at the though of her being killed and terrified that Denorah was going to die. But it ended in a much better, more complete way.
I can't imagine changing a thing about the book. In my opinion, it was extremely well done!
Thank you for picking this book, Kayla!
I gave this book 4 stars. I found the writing style confusing and hard to follow at some places. I had to reread some sections one or two more times because I just couldn’t make sense of what was written. But overall I did enjoy the concept and plot. I also enjoyed some of the reviews on YouTube by Indigenous readers and hearing their thoughts/insights on the story as well.
This was my first horror book, I’ve only been in this group for a couple of months. I’m glad I tried something new. 😊
I'm giving this four and a half stars because apart from the confusion towards the beginning and the basketball scene at the end i loved every part of this. the tension built up just right in my opinion, there was enough fucked up stuff happening to keep me engaged and unable to put the book down throughout the entire second half, and the ending brought everything full circle and couldn't have been any better in my opinion.The only thing I would have changed is the basketball scene towards the end that felt like it went on forever but that might just be because i know almost nothing about basketball to be honest.
I will definitely be reading more from this author as soon as possible.
4 stars. There was so much to like about this novel, and at times it felt like a 5 star book, but I just had a few issues with it. I struggled a bit in the beginning with the writing style, and found the pacing to be a bit strange. I was either glued to my seat or wanting to skim. Especially through some of Lewis's section, when he spends so much time talking about his bike, the book series he lent to Shaney, and basketball. It might just be that those topics aren't the most interesting to me, but I found it distracted from the overall story.But man when this novel was good it was great. Some of the scenes...just wow. And I loved the characters, even if I didn't always "like" them, they all felt like distinct, real people. I thought the ending was fantastic.
I'm really glad I read this, and I would definitely read more by this author.
I gave this 5 stars. I really enjoyed it. I was so shocked by the end of the first part, I screamed out loud a little and had no idea where the story would go after that, but I loved the brutal ride.
I’m hovering between 3.5 and 4 stars. I rounded up on GoodReads since I couldn’t decide. It didn’t quite go the direction I thought part one was going (descent into madness), but it was interesting to follow along. It didn’t feel like most of the horror I’ve read. I am definitely interested in reading more by this author, unless it’s a book about basketball. Those parts bored me. 😅
Wow, wow, wow. I gave this 4.5 stars. I loved the body horror so much. (Tiny elk legs coming out of a woman's uterus?? Shedding your human skin to reveal your elongated elk head?? LOVE) At first I was ambivalent about the use of second person narrative to describe the elk head woman, but once I started chanting kill them all, kill them all in the latter half of part 2, I stopped to wonder, wait, maybe that's why it was written that way. I found each death in the second part to be soooo satisfying. The horror elements aside, I think there's a lot to unpack about this book regarding generational trauma, internalized racism, and so many other issues. I'll definitely be reading more from this author.
It's currently 3 am in argentina, I'm so full of adrenaline that I don't know if I'll be able to sleep 😂Solid 4 stars for me. This book was so confusing and weird, maybe because it was my first body horror ever. But I enjoyed the setting, all the history between the characters and their community. Aslo Elk Head Woman chasing every character down was so satisfying.
A unique story that had great elements & body horror but, I got very confused with the narration & did not like the pacing. 3 stars for me. I like the connection between the event 10 years before, where the 4 guys were in the present, & the elk woman.
I enjoyed part 1 & was shocked at the end. Part 2 was my least favorite section, & I did not like it. Part 3 picked up better but I liked the very end the most out of that section.
This book was not what I expected. I did find the ending satisfying but I was very confused.
It was a 3 star for me. I found the narration style confusing & got a bit lost. I also was very confused with the shift of perspective throughout.
I found it confusing at times but I think that other readers will LOVE the narration style. Overall, I did enjoy it although I will say it is one of the most unusual books i've ever read. In a good way of course!
The narration style was not for me & I think that when I eventually reread it, i'll understand the plot better.
I was surprised that I liked the body horror aspect more than other parts of the story. Unexpected twist in 2020: I am now a horror fan.
That said, I'll definitely read more from Stephen Graham Jones.
I listened to the audiobook so maybe that's why I didn't have issues with the writing and actually liked it.I gave this a 4 and this will get my goodreads choice vote. While I loved it for the most part I agree that it had some issues with pacing. I think we could of got a little bit more of Denorah earlier to stop the ending feeling so drawn out.
I liked how in the first perspective (Ricky) you could argue that its not really clear that something paranormal is happening until the end. Then in next (Louis) you kinda know something is up and we are trying to figure it out like the main character. Then for the last (Gabe and Cass) you straight up get Elk Lady's perspective. I just thought it was a really cool to add to the changing perspectives.
I did love how impactful the big moments of this book were. The deaths were both fun and emotional.
My final rating was a 5! This story was fascinating, tragic, enlightening, amazing, gory ... but so good! I had no idea what to expect going into this book because I bought on a whim, to be a part of this group finally, and I'm glad I read it (or listened to the audio book ... which was easier to consume and understand, for me).
And yes, I might try another book by this author.
4 stars from me!!I really liked the beginning (Ricky's story) and Lewis's story, but it fell a little in the 2 part. That basketball scene really had me wanting to quit lol - I know nothing about basketball except what High School Musical has taught me, so it was a real drag. That being said, loved the chase scene and the end.
TLDR: Body horror and tension on point but it was a drag to get through the middle.
I gave this book 4 stars, the ending kinda threw me to be honest! There was all this tension and excitement leading up to it and after everything else that had happened I was expecting some dramatic death of someone. I know a lot of people loved the ending but I felt like “oh is that it?”. Overall I think the book was brilliant, Part 2 was by far my favourite part just in the way the scene and the atmosphere was created. A very unique read so I’d be curious to try out some of the author’s other works.
4.5 starsAs strange as this might sounds, Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill came to mind during my reading of The Only Good Indians. Analyzing this more thoroughly, I think the comparison comes from the straight-forwardness of its narrative, as well as the treatment of violence; yes, it is grisly and gut-punching, but still maintains a sense of purpose, never feeling gratuitous. In this case, the physical horror represents repressed guilt.
I definitely had moments when I need to stop reading and Google (such as the Blackfeet sweat lounge ritual), or simply try to interpret by context; the ultra-authentic writing style will take time getting acclimated. I ultimately did grow quite fond of Stephen Graham Jones's approach, the text rings true to its character and environment, filled with tribal terminology and local vernacular, without feeling compromised or simplified to appeal the mainstream readers. This plus a stream-of-consciousness storytelling, The Only Good Indians is by all means not a bingeable book; it is a reading experience best enjoyed focused and prolonged, where you can chew on words and really familiarize the cultural context.
It's as if the author was bound by contract to deliver a 300+ pages novel (the story is 305 pages in my hardcover), The Only Good Indians's third act is long-winded ans rather tedious, with just two events stretched thin across 50 pages: an extended game of 1-on-1 basketball, and a sluggish chase scene where the predator literally strolls towards its victim.
The story also veers into a trajectory I don't particularly like in my horror, where the supernatural has extended interaction (like conversation or physical activity) with the living. It's a tad too 'Casper the Friendly Ghost' for me, particularly jarring in comparison to the ominous, kept-in-the-shadow, and malicious persona previously established. Fortunately the narrative rights itself for its closing, offering a cyclical view on life, and wrapping the preceding horror with a glimmer of hope.
Overall, The Only Good Indians is a fascinating read, not only does it deliver as a horror experience, it is also told through a point of view drastically different from what's on the market. While challenging to get into, and can use some trimming in its third act—this is an easy recommendation.
This last part was a slog to get through considering it is the shortest part. I hadn't enjoyed the basketball element throughout this book so the author choosing to narrate a basketball game for 95% of the ending was never going to work for me.I rated it 3 stars but before I was leaning more towards 4. I found the ending very meh and anti climactic but i appreciated the message at the end.
I would consider picking up another book by Jones as long as there wasn't a sports element....
Did you find the ending satisfying?I loved the ending of this book so much. Most of the book was brutal and pure terror and the end with Denorah was actually very hopeful, which I loved.
What is your final rating?
I gave this 5/5 stars and it is far & away my favorite book so far from the Literally Dead Book Club & one of my favorite books of the year!
Was this book what you expected?
I honestly didn't know what to expect as it was unlike anything I have read before.
What did you like about it?
Everything! I will say I really liked the second person perspective from the Elk Head Woman. I don't always like this perspective, but I did like it here.
What might you have changed?
I honestly can't think of anything I would have changed.
Will you read more from this author?
Yes, I will absolutely read more from him. I have already read a few of his short stories, as well as Night of the Mannequins and I really think he is an incredible author!
This book was so weird and intense and I loved it. I gave it four stars. Something I can’t stop thinking about is whether there’s a connection between the Elk Head Woman and missing and murdered Indigenous women. In the acknowledgements, SGJ says, “I really liked how that woman [from Deer Woman] kicked whoever needed kicking in that story. I want that for all Indian women. I also want them all to live, too, please.” It’s primarily men who die and do the killing in this book and it’s about a female getting revenge on men who hurt and killed her and her child. It’s a girl who ends up breaking the cycle of violence. That can’t be an accident. I’d be really interested to hear an Own Voices reader discuss this one.
A 4 star read for me! The narration and writing style was a bit confusing to me, I had to reread some parts to get it. However, it’s so so intriguing. I love the build up before the murders and climax. The book is so atmospheric and creepy, and I didn’t expect the body horror! I loved it.I really love the ending with Denorah ending the cycle, it was pretty emotional. However, the basketball scene was too long for me tbh.
Did you find the ending satisfying?YES! It was so good that the Author didn't go for Denorah having to pay for the sins of her father, and that kindness could break the cycle of violence!
What is your final rating?
4 stars, but mostly because of the writing style at the start that was challenging to get into, and the basketball details.
Was this book what you expected?
Yes and No. Yes in that this was a slasher story, no in all the other details.
What did you like about it?
Indian culture, symbolism, and the message about how kindness could break the cycle of violence and revenge, and it was never too late to do something about it.
What might you have changed?
Initially, I was going to say that my personal wish would be for the Indian culture references to be explained a bit more, but then that was my own unfamiliarity that was the problem, not the book itself. So I think the book doesn't need to be changed! It's good the way it is.
Will you read more from this author?
For sure! I've followed the author on amazon now!
My review will be posted in bookstagram by end of this week.
The ending was satisfying yes. I am glad the Elk woman was reunited with her child and the violence was broken. However, Denorah really had only a slice of a clue what was going on. Final rating was a solid 3. It was enjoyable but, the middle part I was bored with. The sweat lodge was interesting but, I feel it was long and drawn out.
No it was not what I was expecting. The mental breakdown at the first half was totally not what I was expecting but, it got me hooked to read the rest. I did have a few questions though...why are you letting your husband keep a skin on the kitchen table for days on end? At least this is the way I thought it had played out in the story.
I really did like the beginning of the book the best. The descent into madness was good. It was good to see though some Native American culture put into a book and it was good to read about.
The middle part of the book was a bit slow for me and people not noticing the strange things happening seemed to be just a bit too off. If your dogs are normally right up your butt and they are not you better go look for them. But, other than that I wouldn't change anything.
I really enjoyed this book! I know the writing style wasn't for everyone but I loved it and I'll definitely be checking out more of Jones's work. This wasn't at all what I expected the book to be like but I'm not sure what I did expect, I went in pretty blind. I loved the descent into madness for the first half. I wish the second half had not read like a totally separate book but one that was the effect of the same event. Segueing into sooo much basketball talk was sort of jarring but I like basketball so I didn't hate it.
I do have to deduct one star for the convenience of previously dead characters (Victor and Nate) coming back to life to save Denorah. Nathan was somewhat believable but I didn't buy Victor still being alive based on what Gabe said he looked like when he found him in the outhouse. So I'm rating this 4 stars and adding more Jones to my never ending TBR.
For some time I had a feeling that I don't know what I like to read anymore - not that I didn't knew if a book I just read is good or not. It's more when I'm looking for books to buy - I felt that for some time nothing really grabbed my attention like before when I knew exactly what I wanted. Now I now what to look for. This.Does it make sence to anyone but me? Probably not.
What I'm trying to say is that I loved the book and want to read more. Even though at the beginning I was hit with a worst type of reading slump. Was it perfect? No, but it was still fun to read.
Final score:
part 1: 1 month to read
part 2: less then 1 week
part 3: 1 afternoon
...
I mean...
5/5
Spoil away!
Tell us everything you thought.
Did you find the ending satisfying?
What is your final rating?
Was this book what you expected?
What did you like about it?
What might you have changed?
Will you read more from this author?