I Was A Teenage Slasher: A Novel BY Stephen Graham Jones

In Stephen Graham Jones' chilling novel set in 1989 Lamesa, Texas, "My Heart Is a Chainsaw," the narrative unfolds in the quintessential small-town atmosphere driven by industries like oil and cotton. Tolly Driver, a seventeen-year-old grappling with untapped potential and simmering resentment, finds himself drawn into a chilling trajectory of vengeance and violence.

Jones, known for his mastery of horror, presents a slasher story with a unique twist: it's told from the perspective of the killer himself, Tolly. As the protagonist and antagonist of his own tale, Tolly becomes a complex figure navigating the unfairness and isolation of life on the fringes of society. Through his eyes, readers witness the stark contrasts of small-town dynamics, where everyone knows each other's business and secrets can fester like wounds.

Tolly's journey is not just about the bloodshed and horror he inflicts but also an exploration of his own identity and place in a world that seems determined to keep him on the outside. As he writes his own autobiography, the narrative delves deep into themes of revenge, alienation, and the dark undercurrents of adolescence.

"My Heart Is a Chainsaw" promises a blend of nostalgia for 1980s teen horror movies with Jones' trademark flair for psychological depth and visceral terror. Readers are invited to empathize with Tolly's plight even as he embarks on a path that leads inexorably towards tragedy and chilling consequences.

With its evocative setting, nuanced characters, and gripping narrative, Jones crafts a story that resonates beyond its horror elements, offering a poignant exploration of human nature and the haunting legacy of violence.