Mapping the Interior (2017) is the latest short novel by the prolific Stephen Graham Jones. It is pretty safe to assume that unless the reader is well-versed in Jones’ work, it will be unlike anything else they have likely read in quite some time. The protagonist of the novel begins his story when he is twelve-years-old, a sleep-walker, and who sees the silhouette of his dead father in the house where the boy, his younger brother who suffers from seizures, and their mother live. There are unknowns about the father’s death and unknowns about what the boy sees that fateful night because he doesn’t see his father as he was, but as what he might have become.
Mapping the Interior is a unique piece of fiction in many ways. For one, Jones’ prose is unbelievably beautiful; almost lyrical. It has a deceptive flow to it which lulls the reader into appreciation of Jones’ story-telling without at first noticing that the story’s narrator is totally unreliable. In some ways, Mapping the Interior is reminiscent of what now may be an almost forgotten, albeit brilliant novel, The Kryptonite Kid (1979) by Joseph Torchia in which the reader is forced to evaluate and try to detect fantasy from reality. Jones’ narrator, however, makes it even more difficult than does Torchia’s.
There is no doubt that by time Jones’ narrator sees his father’s ghost that the boy is haunted; but by exactly what? Determined to see his father again, the boy tries to trigger more sleep-walking episodes and he goes so far as to draw a map of the family’s floor plan to their inadequate modular house—including under it—to try to find evidence of his father’s presence. The book’s title, thus, becomes a wonderful metaphor for the boy’s internal search of the house as well as himself.
During all of Mapping the Interior there are moments of realist family drama and interactions between the two brothers and between the brothers and their mother. Some scenes reflect great love. Some reflect tragedy and fear. Growing up for those that are considered different and who do not have much of any luxury to fall back upon is difficult. However, in Mapping the Interior there are also genuinely frightening events—made all the more alarming by the fact that the line between reality and fantasy is a blur throughout and the narrator’s citing of events is filled with misleading contradictions. The ground upon which the reader stands is ever uncertain and shifting.
By time readers reach the end of the novel they will most likely have gained some greater appreciation of modern American Indian life and the trials many of those individuals face without having been preached to by Jones. As per the plot and story, readers who must have everything spelled out for them in black and white with every loose end neatly tied up are likely to be disappointed. Mapping the Interior will best be appreciated by readers who revel in superb writing and who enjoy experiencing a wonderful literary experience and a small glimpse of the terrors of the unknown and the confusion that can be wrought by the human psyche. Because of its length, readers will be tempted to consume all of Mapping the Interior in a single sitting, but that would be like chugging a fine wine meant to be sipped and would not do justice to this short, but phenomenal work of art.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle Cloud Reader.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
![Mapping the Interior: A Tor.com Original by [Stephen Graham Jones]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51FQ-S61upL._SY346_.jpg)
Follow the Author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
| Price | New from | Used from |
|
Audible Audiobook, Unabridged
"Please retry" |
$0.00
| Free with your Audible trial | |
Serving low prices with virtual cooking lessons
Amazon Explore Browse now
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Customer reviews
Mapping the Interior walks a line between quiet horror and magical realism, and I'm here for it. Some authors can play on your emotions with their stories, but Jones plays you like a Stradivarius with his taut prose. It's raw and sometimes feels like you're reading something you shouldn't, like peeking through entries from a stolen journal or listening in on someone else's confession.There are a lot of layers, despite the POV character being a kid. It is a profound meditation on grief and loss, on running both away and toward becoming like one's own parents, on poverty, on family traditions and heritage, and on navigating cultural differences and otherness. Heavy stuff, but Jones handles it masterfully through the lens of childhood.I confess the ending left me rattled. I wasn't (still am not) sure how to process the way Jones closed the circle of this ghost story. It's the sort of powerful conclusion that will stay with you long after you reach for the next book on your TBR list.
Images in this review
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 18, 2017
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 13, 2021
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 4, 2020
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 22, 2021
Top reviews from other countries
Stephen Howard
An intriguing, slow burn of a novella
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on August 23, 2022Thomas Joyce
Mapping the interior of the human heart
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 19, 2022Enrico
Probably unlike anything else you've read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 19, 2017screamingdaisies
A short novelette, clever but not riveting
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 13, 2018Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
