David Bridges
In 2012, a dedicated worker unearthed a deteriorating journal from the walls of a church house, revealing a remarkable and haunting confession by a Blackfeet man named Good Stab, recorded a century earlier. This gripping narrative, transcribed by Lutheran pastor Arthur Beaucarne, delves into Good Stab’s formative years and offers a harrowing perspective on the atrocities inflicted by U.S. troops. Among these is the tragic 1870 massacre, where approximately 200 Blackfeet individuals lost their lives. Good Stab’s tale becomes even more chilling as it recounts his dramatic and supernatural metamorphosis into a blood-drinking creature, driven by an insatiable thirst for revenge.
This powerful work of historical fiction compellingly confronts some of the darkest horrors of American history, all while revitalizing the vampire mythos and presenting it as an authentically terrifying folk monster. Author Stephen Graham Jones provides a fresh and thought-provoking twist on this timeless creature of the night, intertwining Good Stab’s identity with his predatory instincts in a way that deepens the tragedy of his existence and enhances the emotional resonance of his story.
I cannot overstate the significance of this novel; it firmly deserves a place among the vampire masterworks, standing shoulder to shoulder with classics such as Dracula. This iconic novel is one I have revisited countless times, able to recite sections from memory. The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is undoubtedly a book that will draw me back repeatedly, captivating me with its unique blend of horror and historical reflection.
