Play Book Tag discussion

What a bonkers ride this is. I say that with the utmost respect.

My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones is a loving homage to the slasher genre, first and foremost. All the over-the-top characterizations, hardly logical plot twists, and red herrings show up with gusto. Don't try to apply too much logic to what's going on in this book. You're in the hands of an unreliable narrator with a questionable reality, and even objective reality seems a bit off in the town of Proofrock, Idaho. That's fine. I had a good time anyway.

But while I enjoyed the slasher story, where this book shines is in its protagonist and her personal journey. Jade Daniels is a nearly eighteen-year-old punk rock, rebel without a cause, "horror girl" outcast. But it's very clear from the start she's dealing with some deep trauma she's keeping hidden, even from herself. The journey she takes in revealing this trauma to others is what makes this book so memorable. Jade is in turns hilarious and infuriating as a narrator, burying her pain so deep into the slasher films she uses to cope that she at times truly seems to believe at times she's living in a film – dissociation at its finest. Her trauma is so vividly, heartbreakingly depicted as simmering just below the surface at every turn. She pushes away all the people who try so hard to help her. You want to hug her and shake her at the same time. She's wonderful.

This book has some seriously dark themes, although it is in turns absurdist, gross-out, and genuinely scary. I'm not sure it's a perfect novel - there's still a lot of hanging plot threads swirling about in my brain - but I enjoyed myself so much I don't care. Goodreads seems to indicate this is the first of a trilogy, and I'd be happy to return to Proofrock and Jade's disastrous exploits any time.

Great review! I really enjoyed this as well. I was so engaged and loved Jade! The second in the series is really good too. I "enjoy" SGJ's writing.

Jen K wrote: "Great review! I really enjoyed this as well. I was so engaged and loved Jade! The second in the series is really good too. I "enjoy" SGJ's writing."

Right! Jade is a real show-stopper. My heart broke for her. I clocked pretty early that her insistence she was not "pure" enough to be a final girl was probably due to (view spoiler)[sexual assault (hide spoiler)] on top of her being of mixed race. I appreciated that the narrative threw that idea on its head and she got put in that role anyway. I think that was some clever subtle commentary on the racism/sexism inherent in those old slasher films.

I cannot wait to read this and the follow-up, especially since I am a huge slasher fan.

Glad you enjoyed it!

Meli wrote: "I cannot wait to read this and the follow-up, especially since I am a huge slasher fan.

Glad you enjoyed it!"

Oh, if you're into slashers I think you'll have a blast! I am not as knowledgable as Jade but the references I got I was pleased to recognize. 🙂

Yay! Looking forward to it :)
And I already love Stephen Graham Jones, so should be a good fit.