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papertraildiary's review
3.0
A haunting, poetic novel about a Blackfoot girl in a residential school. Here is my full review: http://papertraildiary.com/book-review-black-apple-by-joan-crate/
amn028's review
4.0
This was a great book. Despite the topic, most of the character were well developed and complex. There was no truly evil characters and none of them were overly saintly either. The ending was my favourite part. It went against the standard trend and allowed the main character to follow through with what seemed right and true.
canadianbookaddict's review
3.0
It took me a while to reading this book. Not because it isn't good but because of not having the time to read as much as I wanted and then I just didn't feel like reading for a few days.
This isn't the kind of historical fiction I usually read but it sounded interesting so I decided to give it a shot. It started off slow but the story does pick up.
I give this 3 of of 5.
This isn't the kind of historical fiction I usually read but it sounded interesting so I decided to give it a shot. It started off slow but the story does pick up.
I give this 3 of of 5.
julie2377's review
1.0
I don't want to read about the priests and nuns' stories; of some of the "well intentioned". There are gothic elements that don't belong. And part three reads like a soap opera.
kmvan's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dysgraceless's review
4.0
Like many others who have reviewed this book, I found Black Apple to be a very sombre and slow read. Joan Crate takes on the fictional story of a Blackfoot girl and daughter of a Blackfoot medicine man, Sinopaki or also Rose Marie, who is ripped from her family and sent to residential school in mid 20th century in Alberta. The story is told through her perspective but also the perspective of Mother Grace, the nun running Rose Marie's residential school.
Black Apple provides good historical context for a still sorely under-written time of Canadian history while also providing a richer angle through the mystical abilities of Rosie Marie as she lives in the veil between the worlds of the living and dead, the physical and the metaphysical. It's both a humble story and a humbling story. Like some of the other reviewers, I was rather puzzled by why it took me so long to finish Black Apple. There is something not quite conventional about how the story is told -- admittedly, the flow was sometimes frustrating. It is, however, as others have also concluded, an important read, particularly for anyone living in Alberta. The context and setting of "Black Apple" is after all ulimately not a fictional world. The reality of such a cultural genocidal environment as 20th century Alberta, hallmarked by the residential school, is carefuly incised by Crate in a way that shows the complex nuances of motivations of their staff (Mother Grace) and reactions of those subjected to it (Rose Marie.)
Black Apple provides good historical context for a still sorely under-written time of Canadian history while also providing a richer angle through the mystical abilities of Rosie Marie as she lives in the veil between the worlds of the living and dead, the physical and the metaphysical. It's both a humble story and a humbling story. Like some of the other reviewers, I was rather puzzled by why it took me so long to finish Black Apple. There is something not quite conventional about how the story is told -- admittedly, the flow was sometimes frustrating. It is, however, as others have also concluded, an important read, particularly for anyone living in Alberta. The context and setting of "Black Apple" is after all ulimately not a fictional world. The reality of such a cultural genocidal environment as 20th century Alberta, hallmarked by the residential school, is carefuly incised by Crate in a way that shows the complex nuances of motivations of their staff (Mother Grace) and reactions of those subjected to it (Rose Marie.)
tarynor's review
4.0
Part history, part character study, this book was a perfect blend. Rich in culture, religion, and the disturbing elements of Canada's recent past, this was an interesting exploration of residential schools, family, relationships, destiny, and faith.
afalse's review
5.0
I won this ARC from an Indigo/Plum Rewards contest.
A coming of age story set in a residential school in Alberta. Black Apple covers a lot of tough subjects from Sinopaki's experiences. Mother Grace runs St. Mark's and gives a point of view of someone well intentioned, but ultimately doing more harm by taking children away from their families.
Good pacing, enjoyable writing. Crate's poetry background shows up in very nice phrasing and beautiful descriptions.
A coming of age story set in a residential school in Alberta. Black Apple covers a lot of tough subjects from Sinopaki's experiences. Mother Grace runs St. Mark's and gives a point of view of someone well intentioned, but ultimately doing more harm by taking children away from their families.
Good pacing, enjoyable writing. Crate's poetry background shows up in very nice phrasing and beautiful descriptions.
panichistory's review
3.0
This would be 4 stars but I just don't think it did enough to portray the negative aspects of the residential schools and the impact that had on people.
cmoo053's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this, but on the whole I didn't. Two stars because it could have been an important text about residential schools and their impact on indigenous culture. Only two stars because the characters were flat, plot was weak and it failed to realise its significant potential.