Jonny Appleseed is the first novel by Two-Spirit/Indigenous Queer writer Joshua Whitehead. Whitehead’s protagonist, Jonny, is also Two-Spirit/Indigenous Queer, and the novel is about Jonny ruminating on his upbringing on “the rez”. Jonny Appleseed is an introspective novel; if you prefer novels that are plot-focused, then you will probably not like it. However, if you enjoy immersing yourself in other people’s lives and experiences, then I think you should definitely give Jonny Appleseed a read.

Jonny is a sex worker (he does mainly webcam sex work) living in Winnipeg when he finds out that his stepfather has died, and his mother wants him to come home for the funeral. The novel takes place over the few days Jonny needs to fit in as many of his cam clients as he can so that he can make enough money to get a ride back to the rez, and Jonny spends much of this time thinking about life on the rez and his late kokum (grandmother) who made him feel loved and who made the rez feel like home.

At the same time, Jonny is dealing with his relationship with Tias, his best friend growing up, who he also has a sexual relationship with. The novel is also a very honest depiction of two boys figuring out their sexuality. Jonny and Tias are not a couple; while Jonny is out, and lives with the consequences of being out, Tias is closeted because of the homophobia on the rez.

Jonny Appleseed reflects on the trauma that Indigenous people experience when they have their lands stolen from them by white people, are forced onto reservations and then have generations of their children forced to assimilate with white society through the residential school system, and how this trauma manifests itself in poverty, alcoholism, drug use, and homophobia. The novel also reflects on the racism that Indigenous people face and how they have internalized this racism so that they are ashamed of their own culture. Jonny’s kokum was obsessed with white culture while his mother has more pride in being Indigenous. Jonny’s identity is more conflicted; he embraces being Two-Spirit, but at the same time he commodifies his Indigenous identity for his white clients who want him to play at being an Indian.

Reading Jonny Appleseed at times made me feel sad for people who contend with being both Indigenous and queer in our society. Since his kokum died, Jonny wonders if anyone really loves him. Jonny is a complicated character, but not an unlovable one. Thankfully, this novel ends with some hope for Jonny.