76 pages • 2 hours read
Stephen Graham JonesThe Only Good Indians
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones follows four Blackfoot friends whose past sin of killing a pregnant elk on protected land returns to haunt them in the form of its vengeful spirit, Elk Head Woman. As the spirit seeks retribution, the men struggle to survive while balancing their cultural traditions and modern life. The story is interwoven with themes of guilt, heritage, and the supernatural. The book includes graphic depictions of violence towards people and animals.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Stephen Graham Jones' The Only Good Indians masterfully blends horror with social commentary, praised for its unique voice and cultural depth. Critics laud its compelling narrative and emotional weight. However, some readers found the pacing uneven. Overall, the novel offers a profound and chilling experience.
Who Should Read The Only Good Indians?
A reader who would enjoy The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones is likely a fan of horror with deep cultural insights. They appreciate chilling narratives akin to those in The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, but with a contemporary, Indigenous perspective that echoes the social commentary found in Beloved by Toni Morrison.