76 pages • 2 hours read
The Only Good Indians
A 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.
Book Brief
310
Novel • Fiction
Montana • 2010s
2020
Adult
18+ years
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.
Dark
Unnerving
Mysterious
Melancholic
Suspenseful
Reviews & Readership
95,134 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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.
95,134 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
GABRIEL “GABE” CROSS GUNS
GABRIEL “GABE” CROSS GUNS
Gabriel Cross Guns battles alcohol issues, which affect his relationship with his daughter Denorah and his reputation on the reservation. Despite his struggles, he holds pride in Denorah's potential to succeed and leave the reservation.
CASSIDY “CASS” SEES ELK
CASSIDY “CASS” SEES ELK
Cassidy Sees Elk transforms his life with Jolene, embraces Blackfoot traditions, and seeks a fresh start. His path conflicts with his best friend Gabe, as he tries to preserve his newfound stability.
DENORAH
DENORAH
Denorah, driven by her passion for basketball, faces pressure to succeed as her father's salvation. She embodies the Final Girl trope, showing capability and compassion, and aims to honor her Blackfoot heritage.
310
Novel • Fiction
Montana • 2010s
2020
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.