Thank you so much @tornightfire for this reissue of Mapping the Interior. 12 year old Junior wakes to see his dead father crossing the room of their mobile home. Trying to be the man of the house for his mother and brother he tries to conjure his father into a solid being until he realizes something much worse is happening to make it true. SGJ is an amazing writer and this novella was no exception. Haunting 4 stars.

It's Stephen Graham Jones. I have yet to read a book from him that I didn't like and this creepily fantastic novella is no exception.

It starts out like a standard enough ghost story. A sleepwalking boy sees his father walking down a hallway one night. But his father's been dead for years. At first, he believes his father has come back to "heal" his younger brother who suffers from a learning disability and is the target of bullies at school.

But, wow, it turns into something much more terrifying and, by the end, you'll want to sleep with covers over your head!

Much like an arguably more famous horror author named Stephen, this one has consistently written characters that resonate with the reader. He writes them so well that you're completely engaged with the narrative and wishing desperately that they can overcome the terrors unleashed upon them.

I loved it and highly recommend it.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Mapping the Interior was a very interesting experience. Stephen Graham Jones is kind of the king of stream of consciousness (yes I know other authors do it too). From the parts I understood, I did enjoy this book. I will echo other reviewers in that there was also a lot that went right over my head. Some parts of the stream of consciousness felt like maybe only the author would fully understand that's okay. There is some heavy hitting commentary on grief, growing up with a single Mom, poverty, bullying and the unfair treatment of indigenous natives. As always, I enjoy hearing Stephen Graham Jones perspective on these topics, I just wish I understood it more.

stephen graham jones is an all time favorite author and this is no exception. this was beautiful, devastating, emotional, dark, and so so moving. short but packs an insane punch. i really, really loved this one.

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I must admit I was a bit annoyed by the marketing for this book, it wasn't obvious at all to me that it was a re-release of a new edition for a 2017 work. I wouldn't have requested it if I had known; I should have looked more carefully for that, I just saw ooh, new Stephen Graham Jones and hit request. I loved Stephen Graham Jones's writing in the Indian Lake Trilogy though so I was interested to try his earlier work, and the new cover really is beautiful.

This is a very different style than his later work, reminding me more of Nick Medina, more psychological thriller with supernatural elements, more literary than horror, very character-driven with not much of a plot. It's a story of grief and generational trauma more than dread. The writing was beautiful and the length was exactly perfect for a novella. I wasn't left wanting more or feeling like it was too short.

Junior is 12, and his developmentally delayed younger brother Dino has something mysterious progressively wrong with him. Junior keeps seeing visions of the ghost of his dad, who died when he was 4 after having led a sad, selfish life. Junior has built up his dad in his head to a figure that he never was in life, and the grief in this family is palpable until they make it a real thing. Junior's dad was always up to something and never got his act together or showed any curiosity about Indian culture, but Junior thinks he always wanted to be a fancydance dancer because that's what the ghost creature wants. This is a story about dreams and regrets more than anything else.

This is a story that goes deep into their family relationships, the heartbreaking love between brothers and a family struggling to maintain their stolen cultural identity as they try to survive, and that's really what they're haunted by. But the monster in the shape of their dad really is real. Or is it?

The characters in this were strong and the writing style was languid and beautiful.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

12-year-old Junior and his mother have left the reservation following the death of his father. But when Junior begins seeing his father’s ghost late at night, he becomes determined to bring him back to life and into their home.

Join Junior as he navigates the haunting corridors of grief and memory, exploring his heritage and its deep connection to the afterlife. Through his journey, he discovers the power of tradition, the weight of loss, and the fragile boundary between the living and the dead.

Stephen Graham Jones crafts a chilling emotional tale that lingers long after the final page. Mapping the Interior is a masterful short story that is both haunting and heartfelt—a perfect read for fans of The Only Good Indians or anyone looking for a thought-provoking ghost story.

Sure to win awards, this is a must-read for 2025!
#Tor #TorPublishing #MappingTheInterior #StephenGrahamJones #TheOnlyGoodIndians

This is a favorite novella of mine and a top read of 2023. I am thrilled to see its new lease on life at Tor.

A wonderful, heartbreaking horror novella that combines my two favorite subgenres: Coming-of-age horror and grief horror.

Junior lost his father when he was 4 years old. Now, at 12, Junior is trying his best to care for his little brother Dino and help out his mom. But one night, he glimpses the shadow of his father in full dance regalia.

Junior’s efforts in conjuring his dad and discovering his motivations for returning are terrifying and violent.

Breathless and disturbing, Junior’s despair and bravery grabbed hold and did not let go.

I loved it as much as I loved The Only Good Indians, which was a top read for me, and a favorite of SGJ’s work.

And that ending just slaughtered me. Shocking, desperate, pitch perfect.

Stephen Graham Jones has done it again with Mapping the Interior! This novella is like being hugged and then immediately drop-kicked into emotional chaos. It’s haunting, heartfelt, and somehow manages to make you laugh nervously while clutching your blanket for dear life.

The story dives into grief, family, and identity with a supernatural twist that’s equal parts eerie and deeply moving. The writing is so vivid it’s like you’re there—in the house, in the dark, absolutely regretting every life decision that led you to this book (in the best way).

My only gripe? It’s a little too fast-paced in spots. I wanted to linger in the creepy, emotional vibes just a bit longer. But honestly, it’s such a wild and beautiful ride that I didn’t mind too much.

If you’re into books that make you feel all the feelings while also freaking you out, this is your jam. Just…maybe don’t read it at night unless you enjoy side-eyeing every shadow in your house.

This is a pretty good short story that I had already read before. I was hoping for a bit more if it was being reprinted or rerelased or being put in a bigger collection but I guess not. Still pretty good.

Stephen Graham Jones is a master at crafting horror that uses its monsters and heroes to carry a deeper meaning, a stronger emotion than just fear or sorrow. Mapping the Interior is a story of loss, of “what could have beens”, and what it means to grow up to find out the truth. This may be the most heartbreaking of his works that I’ve read so far and can’t wait to inflict that onto my friends and community when it releases next April.

Novellas are often a tricky length for me as a reader because I’m greedy, always wanting more. And I’ve learned that’s an extremely “me” issue. But with this book, I didn’t struggle or feel as though I was robbed of more. The length of the novella utilized intelligently and felt just right.

New York Times bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones, known for his gripping horror stories and authentic portrayal of Native American culture, delivers another fantastic tale with Mapping the Interior. A novella first released in 2017, but heading back for a new printing in Spring 2025.

Walking through his own house at night, a young boy thinks he sees another person stepping through a doorway. The figure reminds him of his long-dead father, who drowned mysteriously before his family left the reservation. When he follows, it he discovers his house is bigger and deeper than he ever knew.

The house is the kind of wrong place where you can lose yourself and find things you'd rather not have. Over the course of a few nights, the boy tries to map out his house in an effort that puts his younger brother in the worst danger, and puts him in the position to save them...at a terrible cost.

Stephen Graham Jones has truly established himself as a key author in the horror genre. His ability to craft stories that are deeply personal and unrelentingly horrifying. With Mapping the Interior, Jones' uses Native American speech patterns, authentically capturing characters voices he creates. This unique style of writing may be off-putting to some, but ultimately adds the understanding of cultural significance often overlooked. His depiction of Native American culture is not just for show, but an integral part of the characters' motivations and struggles.

It would be a shame to discuss this novella and not acknowledging Jones' exploration of grief and trauma. These key elements drive the plot and character development throughout this short tale. The protagonist's attempt to connect with his father's spirit symbolizes a quest for closure, yet the pursuit comes at great risk with profound consequences.

Jones has a keen ability to craft literature that somehow blends horror with heartfelt stories about identity seemlessly—particularly Indigenous peoples grappling with tradition–as seen vividly in Mapping the Interior. By doing this in Mapping the Interior, he ensures we are fully invested until the very last page and leaving a mark long after the book has finished.

Mapping the Interior by Stephen Graham Jones is yet another great tale crafted by one of horror greats. In this novella, Jones uses emotional depth, cultural authenticity, and an unflinching look into the complexities of family ties and personal loss to tell an unsettling horror story. He expertly crafts a story that is as poignant as it is terrifying. For those who missed it's initial release in 2017 have another chance to read this fantastic novella in 2025 with a new printing.

This is one of the most emotional and gripping books I've ever read.
I'm new to Stephen Graham Jones and won't be turning back after this one.

Family trauma, ghosts, haunting, and hell it's already hard enough growing up as is.

Following a mystery figure though a doors opens more doors than he expected, how does your house suddenly double or triple in size, doors you have never seen and questions you don't know how to ask..

This is a ghost story but one that resonates through time as you see what family trauma really does through the generations..

A deeply interior, thought-provoking ghost story about familial trauma and legacy.

Twelve-year-old Junior's family is just trying to get by. Their mother took him and his younger brother, Dino, off the reservation in order to give them a better life, but all they got was a little modular house, a scary neighbor, and bullies at school. When Junior glimpses the ghost of his father in their house, he begins a quest to connect with this man he barely knew, and understand why he's chosen to return. But things aren't as straightforward as they seem. As Junior delves further into his late father's past, his brother Dino begins having frequent seizures. As these two elements escalate, Junior must contend with the dark realities of his father's return, and what kind of legacy Junior himself is carrying forward.

I read this novella in one day in two sittings. The writing is lovely, the story stark but moving. I would certainly class this as a horror-adjacent novel--and an excellent ghost story, for sure--and while I know some true horror enthusiasts might find that element light, I enjoyed Jones' take on the tropes. There were certainly numerous haunting images and, perhaps more importantly to this story, even more haunting truths and thoughts. I suspect this is the kind of book I will have to read over and over again in order to pull back the layers. Like the house at the story's center, there is much more happening under the surface that I realize on first read.

While I don't think at this point I would class this book among my horror or supernatural favorites, I hope I will read it again someday and continue to unearth its layers. Certainly, if anything, it's made me excited to read more of Jones' books -- this was my first!

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was another great read from Stephen Graham Jones that revolves around family, community and culture. I think I tend to gravitate more towards SGJ's shorter works. They pack a punch and the storytelling is always well done and engaging. I would highly recommend this!

Stephen Graham Jones does it again! Big thanks to Tor Publishing Group for this advanced ecopy of the re-release of Mapping the Interior. While this is a novella, I was stilly wholly entranced by the story and finished it in only a few hours one evening. It's a great little twisty novella with some gore & shock sprinkled in, as is SGJ's prerogative. Truthfully I didn't see the ending coming, This short book manages to captive your feelings, hold them, and then absolutely crush them in only 112 pages. This tale also speaks to mother's intuition & fierce love, and the lacking that can come from a father not around. SGJ weaves family ties in so eloquently you feel them as your own and I think a big part of this novella was just that; family ties, and childish imagination and how that can spin fully out of control.

This one’s short but packs a punch. It mixes eerie, unsettling moments with some real emotional depth. The way it blends family, memory, and the supernatural keeps you hooked from start to finish. It’s the kind of story that stays with you even after you close the book.

“Mapping the interior” is a short novella / horror story with elements of family, grief, loss, hardships, a boys journey to growing into a man and taking on responsibilities within the home, and of course elements of the creepy eery paranormal.

Putting it simply if you like these elements you’ll enjoy the short read.

The plot is formatted in first person narration where the main character is telling you his story blending in his past memories with the present goings on. This was a little off putting to me at first as I felt like I was having a conversation with the character, but eventually I got into the flow and absorbed myself into the story.

Thank you to the author and Tor publishing group for the EARC.

Publish date: April 29th 2025

In such a short time the author really puts us into the psyche of an adolescent Indian boy and his struggle with the early death of his father. It’s incredibly moving and visceral in a way that has to be experienced and says so much in so little time.

This is the kind of story I love. The first person POV, just telling the story, filling in the details so perfectly you can hear the dogs beyond the fence next door. You can see the bullies, sense the bond between brothers, and the wistful memories of a lost childhood... you can feel a boy's wish that his father's dreams could have come true, but also the realization of who and what that father was.

This is a story about family, and ghosts. It's a story about love and loss, hope and action figures. It's a story with heart. I can't recommend this story enough.

“I'm all right," I told her. This is a lie, when you're twelve. And all the other years, too.”
― Stephen Graham Jones, Mapping the Interior

“You never tell your mom anything that might worry her. Moms have enough to worry about already.”
― Stephen Graham Jones, Mapping the Interior

Updated for a new edition coming from Tor.com
This book is the first book by Stephen Graham Jones that I read and it will forever stand as my favorite. It cemented Jones as a favorite author. If you're new to reading his work, this is quintessential reading and if I had it my way, this would be every reader's introduction. It perfectly captures the essence of who he is as a storyteller.

I'm going to attempt to write this review after *just* finishing this story but just know, it killed me. I'm dead.
This is what I like to lovingly call a "gut punch".
SGJ pulls you into this 12-year-old boy's head space effortlessly. Being an avid reader of the horror genre, my particular sweet spot is for stories narrated by young boys on the cusp of manhood. There's a layer of emotional investment for me.
Junior is being raised by his mother, a widow, who lives outside of the Indian reservation to "save her boys from drowning"<--- just read it to get that. Junior's brother, Dino, has special needs.
I mean, KILL ME NOW.
I was already in tears by the time the story got rolling 20ish pages into this short novella.
The world stopped at least twice while I was reading and I don't think I was breathing.
Now that it's over and I'm digesting everything I just read, I can still feel SGJ pulling on my heartstrings and it HURTS.
It hurts BAAAAD.
I loved these 50-some-odd pages as much as I love just about anything. It's full of everything that makes me tick as a reader. Symbolism, foreshadowing, suspense, tension, fear, concern, and an emotional tidal wave that sucks you out to sea and spits you out.
I'm thankful for my little journey today, even though I'm a little worse for wear. And I'm *really* thankful for the ending. That redemption was hoped for.