Jonny Appleseed

Jonny Appleseed follows a week in the life of a Two-Spirit Indigiqueer young man living in Winnipeg. When Jonny receives news about his stepfather's death, he must find a way to return to his reserve for the funeral while navigating both financial constraints and complex emotions. Through a non-linear narrative structure, the story moves between Jonny's present circumstances and his memories of growing up on the reserve. His relationships with his mother, his kokum (grandmother), and his first love form the core experiences that shaped his identity and current reality. The narrative chronicles Jonny's work as a cybersex performer, his friendships in the city, and his attempts to reconcile his Indigenous identity with urban life. As he prepares for his return home, he must confront the intersections of his sexuality, culture, and family bonds. The novel presents an uncompromising examination of contemporary Indigenous experience, queerness, and the bonds between family members - both chosen and biological. Through Jonny's voice, the story explores survival, transformation, and the ways traditional culture can exist within modern life.

Readers describe Jonny Appleseed as a raw, intimate portrait of Two-Spirit and queer Indigenous life. The lyrical prose style and non-linear narrative structure resonate with many readers who connect with the authentic voice and emotional depth. Readers appreciated: - Honest depiction of sexuality and relationships - Cultural insights into modern Indigenous experience - Complex mother-son dynamics - Blend of humor with serious themes Common criticisms: - Challenging to follow the timeline jumps - Explicit sexual content uncomfortable for some readers - Plot feels fragmented and unresolved Ratings: Goodreads: 4.19/5 (5,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (300+ ratings) "Beautiful and heartbreaking storytelling that doesn't shy away from difficult truths" - Goodreads reviewer "The non-linear structure made it hard to stay engaged" - Amazon reviewer "A vulnerable look at identity that made me both laugh and cry" - LibraryThing review

Love After the End by Joshua Whitehead This anthology presents Indigenous Two-Spirit and queer characters navigating future worlds through stories that echo themes of identity, tradition, and survival.

A Minor Chorus by Billy-Ray Belcourt A queer Indigenous doctoral student returns to northern Alberta to write a novel about his community, weaving together stories of family, sexuality, and belonging.

Little Fish by Casey Plett A trans woman in Winnipeg discovers her Mennonite grandfather might have been trans, leading her through a journey of self-discovery and intergenerational connection.

This Town Sleeps by Dennis E. Staples An Ojibwe man returns to his reservation and begins a relationship with a closeted white man while uncovering buried histories of his community.

Fire Song by Adam Garnet Jones A Two-Spirit teenager on a northern Ontario reserve struggles with loss and identity while making decisions about his future between tradition and urban life.

🍎 The author, Joshua Whitehead, identifies as Two-Spirit—a term used by some Indigenous North Americans to describe a person who embodies both masculine and feminine spirits—and deliberately wrote Jonny's character to explore and celebrate this identity. 📚 The novel won the Amazon Canada First Novel Award in 2019 and was also a finalist for the Governor General's Literary Award for Fiction. 🌟 The story takes place over one week but weaves through past and present, mixing traditional Indigenous storytelling techniques with contemporary narrative styles. 🏔️ Set in Winnipeg and a nearby reservation, the novel reflects Whitehead's own experiences growing up as an Indigiqueer person in Treaty 1 territory. 💻 The protagonist, Jonny, works as a cybersex worker—a modern occupation that contrasts with and complicates traditional Indigenous narratives, creating a unique intersection of ancient and contemporary cultures.