The Only Good Indians

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From Stephen Graham Jones, the master of modern horror and New York Times bestselling author of The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, a novel of revenge and identity hailed by Stephen King as “thrilling, literate, scary, immersive” that is equal parts psychological horror and cutting sociopolitical commentary about the American Indian experience.

From New York Times bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones comes a novel that is equal parts psychological horror and cutting social commentary on identity politics and the American Indian experience. Fans of Sylvia Moreno Garcia and Tommy Orange will love this story as it follows the lives of four American Indian men and their families, all haunted by a disturbing, deadly event that took place in their youth. Years later, they find themselves tracked by an entity bent on revenge, totally helpless as the culture and traditions they left behind catch up to them in a violent, vengeful way.

In this “thrilling, literate, scary, [and] immersive” (Stephen King) tale, Jones blends his signature storytelling style with a haunting narrative that masterfully intertwines revenge, cultural identity, and tradition.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"This story of young Blackfeet Indian men who believe they are being tormented by the spirit of a pregnant elk they killed is destined to be a classic in the miniscule genre of Native American horror fiction. The frightening tone of the audiobook is enhanced by the narration of Shaun Taylor–Corbett, who, like the author, is Native American. His flat, unemotional recitation of the horrible events makes them even more intense. As the story marries authentic Native American life with what is either a vengeful spirit or a psychotic breakdown, Taylor–Corbett gives nothing away. The protagonist learned long ago that killing is a part of life, but killing an elk in a sacred place has shattered his beliefs, causing him to spiral into madness—or to become a victim of the supernatural."

“Thrilling, literate, scary, immersive. Bonus: The most terrifying one-on-one basketball contest ever. Makes that kid and the devil fighting for a golden fiddle look tame.”—Stephen King , #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

“The Only Good Indians is scary good. Stephen Graham Jones is one of our most talented and prolific living writers. The book is full of humor and bone chilling images. It’s got love and revenge, blood and basketball. More than I could have asked for in a novel. It also both reveals and subverts ideas about contemporary Native life and identity. Novels can do some much to render actual and possible lives lived. Stephen Graham Jones truly knows how to do this, and how to move us through a story at breakneck (literally) speed. I’ll never see an elk or hunting, or what a horror novel can do the same way again.”

—Tommy Orange, Pulitzer Prize finalist of There There

"I like stories where nobody escapes their pasts because it's what I fear most."—Terese Marie Mailhot, New York Times bestselling author of Heart Berries

“A heartbreakingly beautiful story about hope and survival, grappling with themes of cultural identity, family, and traditions.” —Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

“This novel works both as a terrifying chiller and as biting commentary on the existential crisis of indigenous peoples adapting to a culture that is bent on eradicating theirs.” —Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

“Subtly funny and wry at turns, this novel will give you nightmares. The good kind, of course.”—Buzzfeed

Wow wow wow

This novel is gorgeous. Try to hang in there through the violence, it’s worth it. Just gorgeous. Can’t wait for the next novel from Stephen Graham Jones.

Not the worst but not the best either

This book tries to be scary but never succeeds.
I went through it slowly and laborously.
Yet it isn't so bad that it could be ignored completely.
Average is the way I'd describe it.

Expertly Written Original Story

This extremely well told story reminds you that good writing is a craft. I can't actually say much about the horror story because that would ruin the first quarter where you've yet to know what's going on. I will say that throughout the story you're hearing these Indian characters find their place between their past and their very contemporary lives. They talk of the old stories sometimes with reverence but often enough with humor or even contempt. Those stories occupy an interesting space for the characters. Then there was a moment in the novel where I realized *this book is one of those stories*. Then it got all meta and my head exploded and I decided that Jones is a gifted writer. And that's it. This is in expertly written original story.

I liked it

I didn't love it. While I appreciated the circular notion of time, it nevertheless seemed repetitive in description. The narrator was magnificent and I'll look for other work he's done.

The story comes alive

Courage, mistakes that can’t be forgotten, a life that could have been, and hope when you’re caught in a web you did not weave. I listened to it in one pass. I hope it inspires a new generation of writers who do their frosted dew diligence to paint a story so incredibly descriptive. It reminded me of Hunter S Thompson. American culture told through the eyes of a sports writer.