Book Review: Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead
Rating: ★★★★
In Summary
Genre: Literary fiction, new adult fiction
Publication Date: 20th September 2018
No. of Pages: 224
Keywords: Indigenous, two-spirit, LGBTQIA+, coming-of-age, gender, sexuality, powerful, vulnerable, incisive, modern.
Content Warnings: Alcoholism, drug use, sexual assault, graphic sex, homophobia, death of a loved one, colonialism and generational trauma.
Review
Jonny Appleseed follows the central character, Jonny, an Indigiqueer youth trying to pull together enough money to return to the reservation for his stepfather’s funeral. In these heady few days of nostalgia, reminiscence and self-examination, Jonny is forced to confront how hard it can be to grow away from your roots.
This novel was one of our recent Bristol Girl Book Group picks and it certainly proved popular! We all found Jonny to be such a magnetic character. The first person narrative from his perspective feels very intimate, as though he is inviting readers into his life, his memories, and his deepest thoughts.
As you can probably tell from the synopsis, the plot of the novel is quite loose. Lack of a well-defined plotline would usually put me off, making me think the story might wander and fail to engage me throughout. Yet in this book, it really works!
Although the non-chronological flashbacks could be confusing (this is not a book to read when you’re tired!) I relished piecing together different fragments of Jonny’s story. The final portrait was messy, unfinished, and achingly human.
The novel is unapologetically sensual, exploring what it means to have a body as a two-spirit and genderfluid individual.
Sometimes the graphic sex could be a bit ‘too much information’, but on the other hand, positive representation of sex between queer individuals is much-needed. At book club, we also agreed that Joshua Whitehead writes sex scenes much better than a lot of straight, cis male writers portraying male/female sex!
The writing style is effortless and almost poetic, managing a strange beauty even in the story’s grimiest moments.
Every chapter is rich in indigenous Canadian cultures. This meant that, as a white woman, I experienced a sense of defamiliarisation while reading. I found myself Googling things or asking fellow book club members.
This slight off-balancing was not an unpleasant feeling but helped me to feel immersed in the story. At the same time, the rare experience of unfamiliarity, with no pandering cues or explanations, made me realise how many books cater to the white gaze - something which Jonny Appleseed steadfastly refuses to do.
The Round Up
Standout Quote or Moment: “We all got thick skin, but we still gotta let people in.”
Read If: You’re interested in learning about Indigiqueer culture through a beautifully vulnerable protagonist.
Similar Books: Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender and My Name is Why by Lemn Sissay.
Last Impressions:
To be honest, I don’t usually pay much attention to book awards, but I couldn’t help but be impressed by the accolades this novel has picked up, from the Lambda Literary Awards to the Canada Reads.
It’s easy to see why, as everything about the book oozes individuality. Jonny’s story transcends categories and genres - it can be poetic and crude, humorous and heartbreaking, observant or introspective. Jonny Appleseed is a truly unique novel, unlike anything I have read before.
Written by Florence Edwards
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