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"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 life 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 First Nations life, full of grit, glitter, and dreams.… (more)
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This book was easily the highlight of my readathon reading. Even at a distance of a few weeks, I'm
* Whitehead's matter-of-fact description of sex work reminds me of Michelle Tea -- if Tea had had the internet.
* rez life is like tiny rural town life only more so.
* Most of this book feels like it could be anytime, anywhere, but then there is some Queer as Folk or X-Men reference.
Whitehead's writing is witty and vulnerable, and despite being about someone so different from me -- somehow so open and familiar -- so easy to slide into and empathize with. I am grateful that this book exists and for all the tiny little decisions and happenstances that led it to appearing in my path.
Highly recommended.
We learn Jonny's story in a non-linear fashion -- and this is a case where that kind of timeline really works. It built my understanding of Jonny layer by layer and I was able to see him as a whole person. I started this book with some trepidation, wondering if I'd find any connection to the characters. And I ended it being really moved by Jonny's story.
Joshua Whitehead is a great writer -- and he's just gained a new fan.
The story shifts backward and forward--Jonny growing up on the reservation, his close relationship with his kokum, his best friend/love interest Tias,
I listened on audio, and the author narrated. This book is told in first person, and it was odd to listen to, to try to separate the character from the author. It is very much bittersweet--Jonny was a happy kid, and he could be a happy adult if he could find a place he fits. He struggles with his identities (queer and native). His larger circle of friends and best clients in Winnipeg are native, Indian (from India), and Filipino--and none quite fit in to mainstream society due to their color and accents. On the res, it is his queer identity that is not fully accepted. As he shifts back and forth, I felt his despair at possibly losing Tias, at wanting to be home but not having fully found home.
Jonny Appleseed grew up on the Peguis First Nation in Manitoba. It is the largest First Nation community in Manitoba and consists of people of Ojibway and Cree descent. Jonny knew from a young age that he was gay. Some people teased him about his behaviour but those who were important to him, his mother and his grandmother (Kokum), supported him. His best friend and occasional lover, Tias, was also an important source of support but Tias denied he was gay and had a girlfriend as well. When his Kokum died Jonny was deeply depressed for days and Tias helped him get back on his feet. When Jonny decided to move to Winnipeg Tias and his girlfriend helped him move. Jonny earns his living in Winnipeg by arranging (mostly virtual) sex encounters with other men. His earnings don't give him an elaborate lifestyle but he does manage to pay his rent, buy food and get the occasional bottle of liquor or hit of drugs. He hasn't been home to Peguis for some time but he has just received word that his stepfather has died and he needs to get home to support his mother. So he needs to earn extra money fast which he does by scheduling back to back sexual encounters. As he does this we learn about his past in Peguis and his present in Winnipeg. It couldn't be considered an ideal life but it is what works for Jonny. He is a survivor and by the end of the book we know he will be okay.
I am looking forward to seeing more from Joshua Whitehead. This book has the feel of a memoir but the moments of grace of poetry. I'll bet he has more to show us.
Johnny Appleseed discovers his queerness early on, and finds that his grandma (his Kokum) and his mother are already well aware of his two-spiritedness and deal with it matter of factly. His stepfather and many of the others on the "rez" are not so accepting. Johnny develops a relationship with another boy, Tias, who he remains close to throughout the book. Tias has his own story that also comes out in the book as he reveals himself to Johnny. Eventually Johnny moves away from the reservation into the city and begins working as a cybersex worker. He returns home as the book ends to take part in his step-father's funeral. The story is told as several smaller stories, not strung together chronologically but more or less thematically.
The book is frank in its depiction of sex, which may be a turn-off for some, but the way Joshua writes, even about the sex, is fantastic. It's as if your close friend is sitting you down and honestly telling you all about themself and how they got where they are today. You really do feel that you've come to know Johnny that well by the time the book ends.
This book was suggested to me through the Libby app as a Librarian's Choice for Pride Month.
I listened to the audiobook, read by the author. He did a great job narrating too.
The story is about Jonny a two spirit Cree youth from the Peguis nation near Selkirk Manitoba. He leaves the rez for Winnipeg and
It was not in chronological order, and it was quite sexually