Review of Black Apple by Joan Crate

I absolutely loved this book and it made me want it learn more about the direction Rose Marie’s life would take and who would influence it. Through the intense coverage by the media most Canadians are quite aware of the indignities children experienced at the residential schools at the hands of adult men and women who knew better. As the author states, this is a dark era in Canadian history and I was expecting this novel to have my stomach turning with revulsion and bringing me to tears. Indeed that did happen in some instances. but I also was delighted by the relationship Rose Marie (Sinopaki) had with her friend Anne (Anataki) and intrigued by the mystery revolving around the “shadow spirit” Rose Marie would see in the dormitory and elsewhere in the school.

The author did a great job of portraying life in the residential school along with the heart breaking feelings of loss and confusion experienced by the girls. She also gave some of her adult characters a conscience.

As the author indicated in the afterword, she wanted to explore the psychology of those who worked at the schools, and I feel she accomplished this without it being overkill.

Unfortunately what took place during this part of Canadian history was, I believe, a sign of the times. Belief in the superiority of the Caucasian race and the Catholic Church.

Reviewed by Petra Mandock