Black Apple

Black Apple follows Rose Marie, a young Blackfoot girl in 1940s Canada who is taken from her family and placed in a residential school run by Catholic nuns. At the school, she receives the new name Ruth, and must navigate strict rules, harsh discipline, and the erasure of her Indigenous identity. The narrative alternates between Ruth's perspective and that of Mother Grace, an ambitious nun who believes in the school's mission to "civilize" Indigenous children. Their complex relationship forms the core of the story as Ruth grows from child to teenager within the institutional walls. Through parallel storylines, the novel examines the residential school system's impact on both the children forced to attend and the religious women who operated these institutions. The exploration of memory, cultural identity, and institutional power provides context for a dark chapter in Canadian history.

Readers highlight the authentic portrayal of Indigenous children's experiences in Canadian residential schools, with many praising the balanced depiction of both cruel and compassionate nuns. Several reviewers noted the book helps them understand this dark period of history through a personal lens. Liked: - Strong character development of Rose and Mother Grace - Historical accuracy and attention to detail - Effective dual narrative structure Disliked: - Pacing drags in middle sections - Some found the ending unsatisfying - A few readers wanted more depth to supporting characters Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (419 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (31 ratings) "The interweaving of Mother Grace and Rose's perspectives adds complexity to what could have been a one-dimensional story," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Others criticized "long stretches where not much happens" and "rushed resolution of major plot points." Multiple readers mentioned struggling with the heavy subject matter but appreciating the educational value.

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🍎 Author Joan Crate drew from her mother's experiences at residential school to craft authentic details for "Black Apple," though the story itself is fictional. 🏫 The book is set at St. Mark's Residential School in rural Alberta during the 1940s and 1950s, reflecting a dark period in Canadian history when Indigenous children were forcibly separated from their families. ✍️ Joan Crate is herself of mixed Métis heritage and has published several poetry collections before writing this novel, including "Pale as Real Ladies: Poems for Pauline Johnson." 🗣️ The novel employs dual narratives - one from young Rose Marie, and another from Mother Grace, the nun who runs the school - offering contrasting perspectives on the residential school experience. 🎓 While many residential school stories end within the institution, "Black Apple" follows Rose Marie's journey beyond the school walls, showing her struggles to reconcile her Indigenous identity with her Catholic education.