My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones is a dark and twisted story of revenge, trauma, and survival. Jade Daniels is not your typical protagonist, but her encyclopedic knowledge of horror films and her love for slashers is what sets her apart and makes this story unforgettable.
Jade Daniels is a half-Indian outcast living in a rural lake town. With an abusive father, absent mother, and a town that shuns her, Jade lives in her own world, one where protection comes from horror movies, especially those where masked killers seek revenge. As the story unfolds, Jade narrates the quirky history of her town in the style of a horror movie, but when blood actually starts to spill into the waters of Indian Lake, she pulls us into her dizzying, encyclopedic mind of blood and masked murderers and predicts exactly how the plot will unfold.
In My Heart Is a Chainsaw, Stephen Graham Jones teaches us about slasher history while also showcasing his talent for writing a gripping and suspenseful story. This book is for both longtime fans of the slasher genre and those new to it. Jones’ extensive knowledge of the genre shines through in the homages he pays to iconic slasher films, as well as in the subtle nods he gives to fans. But, this story is not just about the genre, it’s about the characters that inhabit it.
Gory, raw, disturbing, and bleak are all words that come to mind when describing this book. Jones does not hold back when it comes to the violence and gore, which might be a turn-off for some readers. However, for those who enjoy a good slasher flick, My Heart Is a Chainsaw delivers everything you could want and more.
My Heart Is a Chainsaw is a must-read, period. It’s a powerful story that not only showcases the best of the genre but also an intimate portrait of a traumatized girl trying to survive in a world that doesn’t understand her. Stephen Graham Jones’ talent as a writer and his knowledge of the slasher genre are on full display in this book, making it a delightful and entertaining read.
My Heart is a Chainsaw is the first book of The Indian Lake Trilogy and is available at bookstores everywhere. The audiobook narrated by Cara Gee is highly recommended.
