Mapping the Interior

by Stephen Graham Jones
Mapping the Interior cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Horror
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Paperback • £11.99
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Technical
  • ID: 9307
  • Added: 2025-12-23
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9780765395092
  • Publisher: Tordotcom
  • Published: 2017-06-20
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

In 'Mapping the Interior,' Stephen Graham Jones crafts a chilling tale of a young boy who believes he sees his long-dead father haunting their home. The boy's attempts to map out the increasingly labyrinthine house put his younger brother in grave danger and force him to confront the dark truths hidden within its walls. The story is a gripping exploration of grief, memory, and the supernatural, set against the backdrop of a reservation and a family's unresolved past. Jones's prose is haunting and atmospheric, drawing readers into a world where the boundaries between reality and the supernatural blur. The novel won the 2017 Bram Stoker Award for Long Fiction, highlighting its mastery of the horror genre.

Reviews
Books, Bones, Buffy · Tammy · 2025-04-17
emotional 4.50

This short, bleak, and violent coming-of-age story is full of heartbreak and emotion, told in a unique style. The reviewer highlights the emotional depth and the distinctive narrative voice.

Tammy describes 'Mapping the Interior' as a short, bleak, and violent coming-of-age story that is full of heartbreak and emotion. They praise the author's particular style, which adds a unique layer to the narrative. The reviewer appreciates the emotional depth of the story and the way it delves into the complexities of the characters. They also mention that the book's bleakness and violence contribute to its overall impact, making it a memorable read.

Quick quotes

    This is a short, bleak and violent coming-of-age story, full of heartbreak and emotion.

    Told in Stephen Graham Jones' particular style.

    The book's bleakness and violence contribute to its overall impact.

FanFiAddict · 2025-04-11
harrowing 4.50

The book is described as beautiful and harrowing, a distinctive piece of grief horror. It is considered a must-read for fans of the author.

The reviewer finds 'Mapping the Interior' to be a beautiful and harrowing piece of grief horror. They highlight the book's distinctive style and the way it delves into themes of loss and grief. The reviewer considers it a must-read for even casual fans of the author, praising its emotional depth and the way it explores complex themes. They also mention that the book's unique narrative voice adds to its overall impact.

Quick quotes

    Mapping the Interior is beautiful and harrowing, a bloody bit of grief horror.

    Absolutely distinctive.

    A must-read for even casual fans of the author.

Tarvolon · 2022-12-21
respectable 3.00

The book is respected more than enjoyed, with elements that keep the reader invested despite not fully resonating. The writing style is distinctive and engaging.

The reviewer found 'Mapping the Interior' to be a book they respected more than enjoyed. They appreciated the unique writing style and the way the story kept them invested throughout. However, it didn't fully resonate with them on a personal level. The reviewer acknowledges the book's strengths, particularly in its distinctive style and the way it delves into complex themes. They also mention that the book's bleak and violent nature adds to its overall impact.

Quick quotes

    Overall, it led to a book that I respected more than I enjoyed.

    Make no mistake—there was plenty here to keep me invested, even if I didn't always love it.

    The writing style is distinctive and engaging.

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