Jonny Appleseed is written by Joshua Whitehouse and is on the long list for the Giller Prize at this time. The short list will be announced tomorrow, September 30th, 2018. I have only read three of the long listed books, but I am rooting for Whitehouse. This book is important.
I just finished reading it and almost started reading it again right away.
I really like books that are written in this sort of free-verse writtentimeline. I love feeling the emotion of characters and it seeming like I was getting inside the inner chambers of Jonny, our “Two-spirit/Indigiqueer and ND glitter princess” narrator’s head.
Jonny’s stepfather has died and he must get back to the rez to be with is mother and is trying to earn enough money in the next seven days to get there. What follows are seven days of heartbreaking reflection, yearning, giving and working to earn the money. We are visited by the haunting memories of his kokum (grandmother), his lover and best friend Tias, and his mother.
Excellent and beautiful prose, a viewpoint that needs to be seen and a bold and courageous homecoming.
Books Always In My Bag 