📖 Overview
Joan Crate is a Canadian poet and novelist known for works exploring Indigenous themes, family relationships, and identity. Her writing frequently draws from her mixed Métis heritage and experiences growing up in the Canadian prairies.
As a poet, Crate has published collections including "Pale as Real Ladies: Poems for Pauline Johnson" and "Foreign Homes." Her poetry often examines historical and contemporary Indigenous experiences while incorporating elements of both traditional and experimental forms.
Crate's 2016 novel "Black Apple" brought her wider recognition, telling the story of a young Blackfoot girl's experiences in a residential school during the 1940s. The novel draws on extensive historical research and addresses the impacts of Canada's residential school system on Indigenous communities.
Beyond her creative work, Crate has served as an English and Creative Writing instructor at Red Deer College in Alberta. Her writing has appeared in numerous literary journals and anthologies, and she has received recognition from organizations including the Writer's Guild of Alberta.
👀 Reviews
Readers connect strongly with Crate's honest portrayal of residential school experiences in "Black Apple," noting its balance of harsh realities with moments of human connection. Many reviews praise her careful handling of difficult subject matter and the depth of historical research evident in the narrative.
What readers liked:
- Authentic character voices and relationships
- Incorporation of Indigenous cultural elements
- Clear, accessible writing style
- Educational value about residential schools
What readers disliked:
- Some found the pacing slow in middle sections
- A few readers wanted more historical context
- Several noted emotional difficulty reading about trauma
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: 3.9/5 (400+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.2/5 (50+ ratings)
49th Shelf: 4/5 (25+ ratings)
One reader on Goodreads noted: "Crate manages to show both the institutional cruelty and the small acts of kindness that existed within residential schools." Multiple reviews mention the book's impact on their understanding of Canadian history.
Her poetry collections receive fewer but positive reviews, with readers noting her skillful blending of Indigenous and Western poetic traditions.
📚 Books by Joan Crate
Foreign Homes (1988)
A poetry collection exploring themes of isolation and identity through the lens of immigrant experiences in Canada.
Pale as Real Ladies: Poems for Pauline Johnson (1991) Poetry collection examining and reimagining the life of Mohawk poet Pauline Johnson through various personas and voices.
Breathing Water (1989) Poetry focused on relationships between humans and nature, with emphasis on water imagery and environmental themes.
Why I Sing the Blues (2001) Novel following a young woman's journey through mental illness and her relationship with blues music.
Black Apple (2016) Historical fiction novel depicting life in a residential school through the story of a young Indigenous girl in the 1940s and 1950s.
Pale as Real Ladies: Poems for Pauline Johnson (1991) Poetry collection examining and reimagining the life of Mohawk poet Pauline Johnson through various personas and voices.
Breathing Water (1989) Poetry focused on relationships between humans and nature, with emphasis on water imagery and environmental themes.
Why I Sing the Blues (2001) Novel following a young woman's journey through mental illness and her relationship with blues music.
Black Apple (2016) Historical fiction novel depicting life in a residential school through the story of a young Indigenous girl in the 1940s and 1950s.
👥 Similar authors
Louise Erdrich writes about Indigenous family experiences and intergenerational relationships in North America. Her work combines elements of Native American tradition with contemporary settings, similar to Crate's exploration of cultural identity.
Eden Robinson focuses on First Nations characters in British Columbia and incorporates supernatural elements into modern narratives. Her books examine family dynamics and cultural displacement in Indigenous communities.
Beatrice Culleton Mosionier writes about Métis experiences and systemic issues affecting Indigenous people in Canada. Her work addresses themes of identity, loss, and reconciliation through personal narratives.
Richard Wagamese tells stories about Indigenous characters navigating between traditional and modern worlds in Canada. His work explores themes of healing and reconnection to cultural roots.
Lee Maracle writes about Coast Salish experiences and Indigenous women's perspectives in Canada. Her work addresses colonialism's impact on Indigenous communities while weaving together traditional storytelling elements with contemporary issues.
Eden Robinson focuses on First Nations characters in British Columbia and incorporates supernatural elements into modern narratives. Her books examine family dynamics and cultural displacement in Indigenous communities.
Beatrice Culleton Mosionier writes about Métis experiences and systemic issues affecting Indigenous people in Canada. Her work addresses themes of identity, loss, and reconciliation through personal narratives.
Richard Wagamese tells stories about Indigenous characters navigating between traditional and modern worlds in Canada. His work explores themes of healing and reconnection to cultural roots.
Lee Maracle writes about Coast Salish experiences and Indigenous women's perspectives in Canada. Her work addresses colonialism's impact on Indigenous communities while weaving together traditional storytelling elements with contemporary issues.