Status
Available
Call number
Call number
FIC WHI c.5
Collections
Description
"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)
Publication
Arsenal Pulp Press (2018), 224 pages
Original publication date
2018-05-15
Original language
English
Language
User reviews
LibraryThing member greeniezona
I was hooked by this book as soon as I saw the beadwork bison on the cover -- then when I read the description I ordered it immediately. I mean, who doesn't need a book about an NDN glitter princess?
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.
This book was easily the highlight of my readathon reading. Even at a distance of a few weeks, I'm
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still crushing on this book too hard to feel like I have very coherent things to say. So I'll just list some thoughts and feels about this book:* 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.
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LibraryThing member librorumamans
There's some beautiful writing here about love and loss and who really matters.
LibraryThing member LynnB
Jonny Appleseed is a Two Spirited Aboriginal growing up on a Manitoba reserve. He is loved and accepted by his mother and grandmother, and by his best friend -- a boy named Tias. Other people are less accepting, especially men. Jonny moves to Winnipeg after high school where he works as a cyber-sex
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.
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worker. 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.
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LibraryThing member Dreesie
Jonny Appleseed is an Indiqueer native who grew up on a reservation and now lives mostly in Winnipeg, where he makes money as needed as a Cam Guy.
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.
The story shifts backward and forward--Jonny growing up on the reservation, his close relationship with his kokum, his best friend/love interest Tias,
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his mother, his stepfather Roger. His coming to terms with his sexuality and those that accepted it (kokum, Tias) and those that did not (Roger, boys at school). Then we have Jonny in Winnipeg, working, struggling with being native in Winnipeg, his friends Tias and Jordan. No matter where he is, he does not quite fit in. On the res, he is teased and harassed for being queer. In Winnipeg his is teased and harassed for being native. Now, he is trying to make enough cash to get home for his stepfather's funeral.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.
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LibraryThing member gypsysmom
This book won the 2021 Canada Reads debate and I think it was the right book to choose for that accolade. It is well written, it has an interesting story and it is a book that will make everyone who reads it think about what it means to be indigenous in this country and particularly what it means
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.
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to be LGBTQ+. This summer which has shown us how many children who went to residential schools didn't make it out of them is, I believe, a watershed in settler/indigenous reconciliation. However, those people who are survivors of the residential school system had a profound impact on how their descendants exist in this country and reconciliation with them has to be a primary goal for every Canadian.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.
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LibraryThing member stevesbookstuff
I can see why Joshua Whitehead has had the success he's had as a published poet - he has a beautiful way with words. This story, of a Canadian First Nation two-spirited boy and his life journey so far - up to the point of the death of his step-father, is in parts humorous, touching, beautiful and
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.
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explicit. 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.
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LibraryThing member MaggieFlo
I did not like this book although the story itself is compelling. My problem with the book is that it’s not very well written and could have used a lot of editing.
The story is about Jonny a two spirit Cree youth from the Peguis nation near Selkirk Manitoba. He leaves the rez for Winnipeg and
The story is about Jonny a two spirit Cree youth from the Peguis nation near Selkirk Manitoba. He leaves the rez for Winnipeg and
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becomes a cyber sex worker. His best friend Tias is already there so that helps with his urban integration. His life is difficult but he scrapes by. The most important person in his life aside from Tias life is his grandmother or Kokum who loves him unconditionally. Her personality and stories make up for the other problems with the book. Jonny’s tales of life on the Rez are hard, sad, discouraging but also hopeful when families come together and look after one another. Show Less
LibraryThing member fionaanne
Cannot cope with this much sex and sexuality right now when my health is sh*t and libido nonexistent so I'm abandoning this after chapter 2. The writing isn't bad and if Joshua Whitehead had some escapist lit to offer I'd be very down with that. (Oh look! Joshua's got some speculative fiction in a
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short story anthology available from the library. Bring it!) Show Less
LibraryThing member LibraryCin
Not really much of a story to this – Jonny is a gay indigenous boy growing up on the rez, and he moves to Winnipeg when he gets older, where he becomes a prostitute (my mistake – apparently not a prostitute, but a cybersex worker).
It was not in chronological order, and it was quite sexually
It was not in chronological order, and it was quite sexually
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graphic at times. The author narrated the audio – I rarely lost focus, but he did have a monotone voice. Turns out there might have been more of a “plot” than I thought (although, still kind of flimsy, I think), so maybe I did miss more than I thought. For some reason, I had it in my head that indigenous 2-spirit people were more accepted in indigenous cultures than gay people in white cultures, but (at least in this book) that doesn’t appear to be the case. Show Less
ISBN
1551527251 / 9781551527253