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yvo_about_books's review against another edition
2.25
“When the whole world hurts, you bite it. Don't you?”
WARNING: it's unpopular opinion time again!!
I should have known this would happen. I've come to the conclusion that literary fiction just isn't for me, although there have been exceptions in the past... I guess this story ended up being another nail in the coffin of this subgenre though. Don't get me wrong: I was SO intrigued by the premise of The Only Good Indians, and I loved the social commentary and own voices Native American aspect. This is probably the only reason I kept reading, because I had a very BIG issue with this book. There was just something about the writing style I clashed horribly with, and I was only feeling more annoyed and frustrated with each page... Add the often slow pace and confusing POV and timeline switches, and let's just say that I wasn't really motivated to continue reading The Only Good Indians. I even put it on hold twice to see if that would help... But in the end I simply don't think I'm a good match for his author's writing style. That said, I also struggled with the characters themselves, which felt rather flat and were both unlikeable and easy to mix up. Things also get pretty graphic with lots of focus on violence, hunting and animal cruelty... I usually don't mind a more twisted plot, but there was a bit too much focus on the animal cruelty to my taste. Anyhow, I guess that The Only Good Indians is just one of those books that you either absolutely love or struggle to finish... Sadly, I ended up belonging to the second group, and I confess that I caught myself skimreading more than once. It's such shame, because I really wanted to love this one!
Graphic: Animal death, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Alcoholism, Addiction, Racism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Cursing, Murder, Death of parent, Death, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Stalking, Suicide, Animal cruelty, and Body horror
dfrancis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Cursing, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, and Alcohol
bashsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Racism, Stalking, Alcohol, Blood, Cursing, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Hate crime, Body horror, Grief, Gun violence, Suicide, and Torture
Moderate: Classism, Toxic friendship, Alcoholism, Colonisation, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Racial slurs
Minor: Vomit and Infertility
elkboy23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Violence, Death of parent, Suicide, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Child death, Gun violence, Murder, Pregnancy, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Alcohol, and Gore
Moderate: Colonisation, Domestic abuse, Racism, Stalking, Police brutality, Cursing, Toxic relationship, and Hate crime
Minor: Classism, Grief, Racial slurs, and Fire/Fire injury
thetallestbird's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I also really appreciate being able to read a story with such a heavy influence from the Blackfeet culture. Not just for an understanding of the scarcity and injustice, but for the richness of their traditions, legends, lore, etc.
In short, I'm very glad I read this book and will be thinking of it for a while.
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Gore, Grief, Racism, Violence, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Classism, Colonisation, Death of parent, Cursing, and Death
Moderate: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Vomit
justaddwater's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Police brutality, Gore, Death, Animal death, Body horror, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Stalking, Racism, Murder, Blood, Cursing, and Violence
thebearnest's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Animal death, Racism, Violence, Racial slurs, and Death
Moderate: Colonisation, Alcohol, Pregnancy, Gore, Gun violence, and Cursing
shysheepys's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Cursing, Abortion, Colonisation, Death, Child death, Animal death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Blood
momogajo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
At times it was hard to track what was happening. The author would suddenly have the characters think back to past events with little or no transitions. It does remind me of how some Elders tell stories by telling around the story.
Even with the at times disjointed way of telling the story the ending is just perfect.
Graphic: Animal death, Alcohol, Racism, Racial slurs, Violence, Murder, Cursing, Colonisation, Gun violence, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, and Animal cruelty
sleepyshelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Animal death, Suicide, Blood, Body horror, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Murder, Alcohol, and Violence
Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, Colonisation, Cursing, and Grief
Minor: Vomit