annewalk reviewed Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead
Visceral
5 stars
A beautiful gut punch of a read.
Paperback, 224 pages
English language
Published by Arsenal Pulp Press.
Jonny Appleseed
- ISBN:
- 978-1-55152-725-3
Copied ISBN!
4 stars
(5 reviews)
"You're gonna need a rock and a whole lotta medicine" is a mantra that Jonny Appleseed, a young Two-Spirit/Indigiqueer, repeats to himself in this vivid and utterly compelling novel. Off the reserve and trying to find ways to live and love in the big city, Jonny becomes a cybersex worker who fetishizes himself in order to make a living. Self-ordained as an NDN glitter princess, Jonny has one week before he must return to the "rez," and his former life, to attend the funeral of his stepfather. The next seven days are like a fevered dream: stories of love, trauma, sex, kinship, ambition, and the heartbreaking recollection of his beloved kokum (grandmother). Jonny's world is a series of breakages, appendages, and linkages--and as he goes through the motions of preparing to return home, he learns how to put together the pieces of his life. Jonny Appleseed is a unique, shattering …
"You're gonna need a rock and a whole lotta medicine" is a mantra that Jonny Appleseed, a young Two-Spirit/Indigiqueer, repeats to himself in this vivid and utterly compelling novel. Off the reserve and trying to find ways to live and love in the big city, Jonny becomes a cybersex worker who fetishizes himself in order to make a living. Self-ordained as an NDN glitter princess, Jonny has one week before he must return to the "rez," and his former life, to attend the funeral of his stepfather. The next seven days are like a fevered dream: stories of love, trauma, sex, kinship, ambition, and the heartbreaking recollection of his beloved kokum (grandmother). Jonny's world is a series of breakages, appendages, and linkages--and as he goes through the motions of preparing to return home, he learns how to put together the pieces of his life. Jonny Appleseed is a unique, shattering vision of Indigenous life, full of grit, glitter, and dreams.
Erin reviewed Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead
Review of 'Jonny Appleseed' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
This is maybe 3.5 stars. It started out a great experience, and the audiobook was a great way to go with this one. The author narrates and his style was wonderful to listen to.
It’s a short book, but even so, as it goes on it starts to feel repetitive. Similar scenes play out again and again. I’d also say be warned: there are a lot of erections and bodily fluids.
