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A review by maisierosereads
Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Jonny Appleseed was on my TBR for at least a year, but yesterday I ended up listening to the whole audiobook! I'm so glad that it was available on Scribd.
If you like reflective, character-driven, slice-of-life queer literary fiction? You will love this book. If you aren't sure if that sounds like your kind of book, you will probably still enjoy it.
Both the author and main character are Oji-Cree Two-Spirit/Indigiqueer individuals, and this book showcases the power in own voices writing. I loved that Joshua Whitehead narrated the audiobook and would wholeheartedly recommend listening to it if you are able.
Jonny Appleseed shows a week in the life of the main character, Jonny, as he prepares to go back to his family's reservation for his step-father's funeral. Rather than being told in a straight-forward chronological way, the narrative feels much more organic, interspersed with the memories he is reflecting on. There are stories from his childhood, his teen years, his life since leaving the reservation, his relationships, his family, his cybersex work, and more. It also explores many of the issues faced by Indigenous (especially Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer) people.
As well as revolving around queer and Two-Spirit Indigenous people, this book (very intentionally) centres Indigenous women too; the relationship between Jonny and his kookum was particularly beautiful, making his memories of her all the more moving.
I'll definitely be reading more of Joshua Whitehead's work when I get the opportunity!
If you like reflective, character-driven, slice-of-life queer literary fiction? You will love this book. If you aren't sure if that sounds like your kind of book, you will probably still enjoy it.
Both the author and main character are Oji-Cree Two-Spirit/Indigiqueer individuals, and this book showcases the power in own voices writing. I loved that Joshua Whitehead narrated the audiobook and would wholeheartedly recommend listening to it if you are able.
Jonny Appleseed shows a week in the life of the main character, Jonny, as he prepares to go back to his family's reservation for his step-father's funeral. Rather than being told in a straight-forward chronological way, the narrative feels much more organic, interspersed with the memories he is reflecting on. There are stories from his childhood, his teen years, his life since leaving the reservation, his relationships, his family, his cybersex work, and more. It also explores many of the issues faced by Indigenous (especially Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer) people.
As well as revolving around queer and Two-Spirit Indigenous people, this book (very intentionally) centres Indigenous women too; the relationship between Jonny and his kookum was particularly beautiful, making his memories of her all the more moving.
I'll definitely be reading more of Joshua Whitehead's work when I get the opportunity!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Grief, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Vomit