Rating: 
Summary: Birds of a Feather
Review: As I read the first half of Indian Killer, I found that I was not that interested in the story. Maybe it was the soap-opera-like writing style, switching from person to person and setting to setting, that caused me to have a mild dislike for the novel. Never once was I able to fully experience things through the mind of one of the characters, because the next chapter would undoubtedly switch characters and settings in an attempt to portray things from another perspective. But, in the end, I think that this is one of the most endearing aspects of the novel. The novel could be said to be an exploration of how racial perceptions would play themselves out in a particularly trying circumstance. In order to show how different groups of people would react, Sherman Alexie switches from character to character. The usefulness of this approach is that one immediately sees how a person's setting, history, and ethnicity impacts his or her perception of reality. Perhaps Alexie wrote the novel to explore, in his own mind, the motivations and perceptions of different people. In fact, while Alexie does paint people in fairly broad brushstrokes, he does consistently add fine touches and nuances to give characters more depth. Depth is very important because, in real life, people are multi-faceted and can often see things from different points of view. This is especially true for people who are torn between two different worlds, i.e. American Indians who must decide between being materially successful in a white dominated world and devoting themselves to preserving their cultural heritage. This leads me to another aspect of the novel. That is that choices do not always present themselves in an objective manner. Each person perceives events differently depending on his or her background. As a result, decisions are based, not on objectivity, but on a subjective set of beliefs, experiences, observations, and morals. The only things that prevent total chaos are mutually shared traits between people. However, when there are two groups of people who do not share the same set of values, then distance, which gives rise to precariousness--a strange sort of potential energy--can often erupt into outright tumult. Therefore, while individuals view things from a unique perspective, a larger trend is set by groups of people sharing what would otherwise be subjective points of view. Alexie understands that both of these forces are at work in the world, and he shows them both in his book Indian Killer. When I came to terms with his approach, I was then able to develop an appreciation for the book, and then I could not put the book down. I wholeheartedly agree with the reviewer who stated that the book is NOT a murder mystery. While the book does draw you into suspecting different people, the end of the book takes a different turn. I urge anyone interested in modern Indian culture or who appreciates a good suspense novel to give this book a read.
Rating:
Summary: Birds of a Feather
Review: As I read the first half of Indian Killer, I found that I was not that interested in the story. Maybe it was the soap-opera-like writing style, switching from person to person and setting to setting, that caused me to have a mild dislike for the novel. Never once was I able to fully experience things through the mind of one of the characters, because the next chapter would undoubtedly switch characters and settings in an attempt to portray things from another perspective. But, in the end, I think that this is one of the most endearing aspects of the novel. The novel could be said to be an exploration of how racial perceptions would play themselves out in a particularly trying circumstance. In order to show how different groups of people would react, Sherman Alexie switches from character to character. The usefulness of this approach is that one immediately sees how a person's setting, history, and ethnicity impacts his or her perception of reality. Perhaps Alexie wrote the novel to explore, in his own mind, the motivations and perceptions of different people. In fact, while Alexie does paint people in fairly broad brushstrokes, he does consistently add fine touches and nuances to give characters more depth. Depth is very important because, in real life, people are multi-faceted and can often see things from different points of view. This is especially true for people who are torn between two different worlds, i.e. American Indians who must decide between being materially successful in a white dominated world and devoting themselves to preserving their cultural heritage. This leads me to another aspect of the novel. That is that choices do not always present themselves in an objective manner. Each person perceives events differently depending on his or her background. As a result, decisions are based, not on objectivity, but on a subjective set of beliefs, experiences, observations, and morals. The only things that prevent total chaos are mutually shared traits between people. However, when there are two groups of people who do not share the same set of values, then distance, which gives rise to precariousness--a strange sort of potential energy--can often erupt into outright tumult. Therefore, while individuals view things from a unique perspective, a larger trend is set by groups of people sharing what would otherwise be subjective points of view. Alexie understands that both of these forces are at work in the world, and he shows them both in his book Indian Killer. When I came to terms with his approach, I was then able to develop an appreciation for the book, and then I could not put the book down. I wholeheartedly agree with the reviewer who stated that the book is NOT a murder mystery. While the book does draw you into suspecting different people, the end of the book takes a different turn. I urge anyone interested in modern Indian culture or who appreciates a good suspense novel to give this book a read.
Rating:
Summary: sharp, devastating and engagingly written.....
Review: I think it is more than fair to say the Sherman Alexie has succeeded in writing one of the greatest contemporary Urban Aboriginal mystery/murder novels on the bookshelves today. Mr. Alexie has a great talent for challenging all the lies we have accepted as reality in the "Indigenous experience" and knocks us over with his own vision of the hardships and pain of contemporary Native life with a twist of Stephen King thrown into the mix.
John Smith is a young aboriginal man who was raised by White adoptive parents and has no knowledge of his tribe or any other specifics tied to his heritage. John is in the depths of a traumatic identity crisis that spirals into mental illness and psychotic, murderous episodes. His goal is to avenge the death and misery of every Indigenous person by systematically stalking and then murdering affluent Caucasian men. This series of killings becomes the hot topic of Seattle as more and more race-related fights take place between White and Native residents.
This is such an important novel and I am so glad that Sherman Alexie wrote it. I felt as though we, as the readers, were taking a glimpse inside the many facets of his writer's mind and all of the depths of his personality as a storyteller. It is a cautionary tale of what happens when someone is so far removed from themselves (example being John Smith) that they are driven to the depths of despair, due to their isolation and lack of confidence. I once took a course with Sherman Alexie at the University of Washington where he stated that living on the Rez (where many indigenous people still reside in North America) is like living in an Edith Warton novel. Authenticity is measured to the most minute degree. Everything from your behavior to the pigment of your skin is considered a potential flaw. from which you can fall from grace at any given moment. Imagine growing up a young indigenous man, surrounded by loving, adoptive parents who know nothing of your specific tribe, but are greatly divided from you by their race and their ignorance. Instead of being taught about your specific tribal practices, you are bombarded with information about every tribe (as if that would make up for your lack of self awareness).
Though this is definitely a murder mystery novel, Sherman Alexie manages to balance horror scenes with humorous bits, as well as intellectual criticism on the state of contemporary race relations and really forces us to examine our own stereotypes and prejudices. Great book and definitely a fast read!
Rating: 
Summary: A good, and obviously misunderstood book
Review: Let me start out by getting the spoiler-free portion of my review out of the way. This is a dark take on modern city Indian life that I strongly recommend to anyone interested in the subject. And it is a huge departure from Alexie's earlier work. He has always dealt with the harsh realities of Indian life, but he used humour that Indians use to survive to great affect... and it was comforting for readers as well. That is largely absent here, and readers should expect an unsettling work. The least successful part of the book were the murder scenes, as they basically resorted to thriller cliches... however the rest of this book is not a cliched thriller by any means. Nor is it a whodunnit, as many people, who have apparently read the book, seem to think... DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE BOOK... I am surprised that so many people think that John Smith is the killer. Sure Alexie seems to be drawing paralells between the two, but that is a common literary device and it doesn't mean that he is the killer. It serves the thematic material as well as providing a whodunnit red-herring. I think by the end of the book it perfectly obvious that in fact, he's NOT the killer. Alexie is not trying to make a mystery here, and he's perfectly happy leaving it up to the audience to decide, but the killer appears again at the end of the book, after John Smiths death. You could argue, I suppose, that it's John Smith's ghost, except that the killer bared the traits of a spirit during several of the murders (how do you think John Smith would have the ability to make himself invisible?). Alexie is hinting, I believe, that the killer is a vengeful spirit warrior, which is a very real part of Indian mythology... it's not all dream catchers and friendly spiritual stuff. But he doesn't draw any clear lines. If anyone really thinks that John Smith is the killer I suggest they reread the book.
Rating:
Summary: Indian Killer-Cultural Killer
Review: On a surface, a great who dunnit centered in Seattle with a Indigenous twist. Complex characters. You have John who is adopted by white people and wants to know of his culture but cannot. You have Marie, the Indian activist college student who challenges her white professor at every turn. The white professor Dr. Mather who through his education thinks that he knows more of Indian culture than Indians that grew up on the reservation. Reggie is Marie's half Indian cousin that hates white people. Truck is a sensationlist radio broadcaster that is terrorizing the city of Seattle with his constant updates on the "Indian Killer" The novelist Jack Wilson, the wannabe Indian that claimed the little bit of Native blood that he had and held on so tightly. The common thread I saw in each character was that at some level each had the Indian killed out of them or they were killing the culture by their ignorance and upbringing.I Think Sherman Alexie's message is profound and is a statement of what is taking place in Indian country today! You will be assismalated....I think not!
Rating:
Summary: well-worth reading & more complicated than has been noted
Review: One of the aspects I really enjoy about this novel is Alexie's questioning of "evidence." Throughout the book, characters interpret each other and offer different solutions to the central mystery--who is it that is committing the murders and what is his/her motive? The kick is that Alexie maintains the suspense all the way through the book. I have to respectfully add that the Booklist & Amazon reviewers of this book have jumped to a conclusion that they can't prove. It is never clear that John Smith, the Indian adopted by white parents, is the same person as the killer. Since Alexie writes about identity so extensively and carefully, I'd have to say that the lack of evidence equating Smith to the killer is itself the point.
Rating:
Summary: Red Matters
Review: Sherman Alexie is an excellent author, whos books touch those who have read them. Alexie's way of writing is a unique and uninhabitabal island, in which only he has the key. Indians are illisrtated in this book as people who have been mistakened as bums and unlawful individuals. On the otherhand indians are also demonstrated as racially targeted individuals who have been put out into the sparring ring of an up and coming bull fight. Indian Killer is an excellent book Alexie's writing techniques allow him to place pictures directly into your mind while leaving you breathless.
Rating:
Summary: Indian Killer
Review: Sherman Alexie's mystery novel "Indian Killer" grabs the readers attention from page one. One finds themselve looking over their shoulder while reading thinking that they may just be the next victim. The title of the book itself conveys a dual message to the reader making one reconsider who is commiting the horrible crimes inside the book. This Native American novel appeals to both male and female readers of all ages because it deals with controversial issues that are very much prevelant in today's society.
John Smith, an Indian raised white, yearns desperately for his lost heritage as he seeks to find his true identity. In Seattle John meets Marie, an Indian rights activist at the local university, who together grow inraged at the local people who try to act Indian such as writer Jack Wilson. Murders throughout the city are taking place which appears to be committed by an outraged Indian who leaves behind two owl feathers. The local bigoted disc-jockey creates a division amongst the whites and Indians. His programs incite violence and before long...the Indian Killer strikes again.
"The killer saw the fear in the white man's blue eyes. The man's fear inspired the killer's confidence. The killer slid a hand beneath the jacket and felt for the knife."
This novel will keep you on the edge of your seat just wondering who is murdering these innocent people. This is a great novel that not only stimulates the mind but also educates. I give it a big thumbs up.
Rating:
Summary: Indian Killer
Review: Sherman Alexie's mystery novel "Indian Killer" grabs the readers attention from page one. One finds themselve looking over their shoulder while reading thinking that they may just be the next victim. The title of the book itself conveys a dual message to the reader making one reconsider who is commiting the horrible crimes inside the book. This Native American novel appeals to both male and female readers of all ages because it deals with controversial issues that are very much prevelant in today's society.
John Smith, an Indian raised white, yearns desperately for his lost heritage as he seeks to find his true identity. In Seattle John meets Marie, an Indian rights activist at the local university, who together grow inraged at the local people who try to act Indian such as writer Jack Wilson. Murders throughout the city are taking place which appears to be committed by an outraged Indian who leaves behind two owl feathers. The local bigoted disc-jockey creates a division amongst the whites and Indians. His programs incite violence and before long...the Indian Killer strikes again.
"The killer saw the fear in the white man's blue eyes. The man's fear inspired the killer's confidence. The killer slid a hand beneath the jacket and felt for the knife."
This novel will keep you on the edge of your seat just wondering who is murdering these innocent people. This is a great novel that not only stimulates the mind but also educates. I give it a big thumbs up.
Rating: 
Summary: This one's a dud...
Review: Sherman Alexie's thriller "Indian Killer" has many glaring weaknesses, and only a few strengths. Firstly, many characters are unrepentingly racist. A ex-football player and a Rush wannabe represent the white racists, while Marie, a Native American activist represents the Indian racist. Marie is so racist, she makes an argument that goes like this: only Indians should teach Indian studies, only african-americans should teach African studies. of course, if you finish that foul thought to its logical conclusion, then only white people should teach western civilization. So, this is Alexie's biggest flaw: Aaron and Marie are two sides of the same coin, and he doesn't seem to realize this. Secondly, there are no heroic characters to root for, everyone is either victim or victimizer. You pity Mather, John Smith, and Wilson, all for different reasons, and you find yourself loathing Reggie, Marie, Truck and Aaron. The book's sole strength is its realistic portrayal of alienation with John as the Indian without a tribe, and with his worsening schizophrenia. Note, schizophrenics are most harmful to themselves, and to those who try to help them the most. As for the killer, it's not John, as some reviewers have said. I don't think Alexie would stoop to having an archtypical killer(that's a cheap copout, and would merit only 1 star if he really pulled that stunt). Personally, I feel Reggie is the killer.
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