Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology – Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.
Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology – Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.
Over the last few years, Indigenous horror has become one of my favorite subgenres. There’s something about the nature-based revenge themes that is both compelling and oddly satisfying, as they tend to convey lessons alongside the entertainment. While “Never Whistle at Night” may lean more into dark fiction than pure horror, there were enough unsettling elements and body gore surprises to keep things interesting.
With 26 stories in the collection, it's unsurprising that not all of them resonated. I enjoyed about half, while others felt flat, somewhat confusing or a bit derivative of stronger stories in the mix. Still, this anthology serves as an excellent entry point to the world of Indigenous writers who are making waves in literature right now.
Well-known names like Stephen Graham Jones, Waubgeshig Rice and Tommy Orange headline the collection, but it was the new (to me) voices that made even the less engaging stories worth the time.
I appreciated that each story was short (about 15-40 pages each), but the audiobook — although beautifully narrated by an all-Indigenous cast — can make the stories blend together, especially if listening to several in one sitting. This collection is best savored in smaller doses.
Emphasizing psychological horror with a mix of mysticism, mythology and a deep sense of cultural resonance, readers will explore themes like the lingering effects of colonialism, generational trauma and erasure of culture while at the same time having it appropriated.
Here are a few highlights:
"White Hills" by Rebecca Roanhorse — The protagonist is tempted by the opportunities of a wealthy community, provided she suppresses her Native identity. With shades of “The Stepford Wives” and themes of white nationalism, this clever story explores code-switching and assimilation.
"Navajos Don’t Wear Elk Teeth" by Conley Lyons — A standout early on, this story follows Jay’s summer encounter with a man fetishizing Indigenous men and their cultural symbols. It takes bad hookups to a chilling new level.
"Hunger" by Phoenix Boudreau — An Indigenous college student realizes a fraternity brother is possessed by a harmful spirit that drives him toward sexual assault. She cleanses him without his knowledge, but he remains ungrateful. A fascinating exploration of power imbalance and a fresh take on a familiar theme.
"Snakes Are Born in the Dark" by D.H. Trujillo — Despite some annoying characters, this body gore story about meddling with Native artifacts provides a satisfying twist.
"Scariest. Story. Ever." by Richard Van Camp — This story sets up well with an intriguing theme around stolen stories and atonement. While not especially frightening, it thoughtfully addresses cultural respect.
"The Prepper" by Morgan Talty — Following a mentally ill character convinced the zombie apocalypse is imminent, this story takes a darker turn as he goes on a killing spree when confronted. It delivers a sense of epic scope that mostly pays off.
"Sundays" by David Heska Wanbli Weiden — A man, mourning his wife’s death, seeks revenge on a priest who abused him in a boarding school. Realizing the statute of limitations has expired, he takes justice into his own hands. This chilling narrative is one of the collection's best.
"Night Moves" by Andrea L. Rogers — Centered on a werewolf stalking American soldiers in Germany, this short, intense story is one of the few true horror tales in the collection. Strong pacing and vivid settings make it memorable.
"The Scientist’s Horror Story" by Darcie Little Badger — In “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” style, a group of geologists share chilling stories at a conference. One recounts mysterious deaths in a ghost town, blending scientific curiosity with the supernatural.
"Collections" by Amber Blaeser-Wardzala — A working-class BIPOC student visits her professor’s house and is horrified to find human heads mounted like trophies. This story offers a disturbing glimpse into academia’s darker sides and the quest for success.
Surprisingly, the stories by the more mainstream authors felt surprisingly weak, but for readers new to Indigenous fiction, this anthology is a fantastic introduction, and with each story concluding with an author bio, it’s easy to find more work from voices that resonate.
Rating (story): 3.5/5 stars
Rating (narration): 3/5 stars
Format: Audiobook (library loan)
Dates read: October 26 – October 31, 2024
Multi-tasking: Good to go. Some stories require a bit more attention than others, but the voice actors do a good job of keeping you entertained so your mind shouldn’t wander too much.
