Madapple

Jan 30, 2012 Maja rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: are-you-kidding-me, cover-lust, contemporary-fiction, never-saw-it-coming, tbr-pile-challenge, ya, reviewed-in-2012

Wow. When I started Madapple yesterday, I had no idea what I was signing up for. Had I known what was ahead of me, I don’t think I would have picked it up. You see, I expected it to be paranormal (although I’m not sure why), and it wasn’t. I never expected it to be about child abuse, kidnapping, drugs and incest, but it was. I certainly never thought it would delve so deep into the connections between paganism and Christianity. Finally, I expected it to be forgettable, but I doubt I’ll forget th...more Wow. When I started Madapple yesterday, I had no idea what I was signing up for. Had I known what was ahead of me, I don’t think I would have picked it up. You see, I expected it to be paranormal (although I’m not sure why), and it wasn’t. I never expected it to be about child abuse, kidnapping, drugs and incest, but it was. I certainly never thought it would delve so deep into the connections between paganism and Christianity. Finally, I expected it to be forgettable, but I doubt I’ll forget this for the rest of my life. The last book that upset me this much, that caused me many sleepless nights, was Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee. The difference between Disgrace and Madapple, however, is that in the end, I felt like a better person for having read Disgrace, while Madapple left me feeling…contaminated. I have the craziest urge to wash my brain with soap.

Aslaug was raised in complete isolation by her Danish mother. She was homeschooled, she never saw a doctor in her life nor did she ever have contact with other people her age. She never even had a father or a proper last name. Her mother taught her ancient and obscure languages, but prevented her from finding out most things about modern society. Their house in Maine didn’t have electricity or running water. So when Aslaug woke up one morning to find her mother dead, she did the only thing she could think of: she washed her, painted the Solomon’s seal on her chest to ward off evil spirits and started digging a grave in her back yard. A nosy neighbor saw what Aslaug was doing and called the police and they quickly came to arrest her for murder.
Having been proven innocent of her mother’s death, Aslaug manages to find an aunt and her two children and moves in with them. You’d think an aunt who is also a preacher and who runs her own church would be more stable than an abusive mother, but you’d be horribly wrong. Soon questions are raised that nobody wants to answer: who is Aslaug’s father? Does she even have one? Can she be a product of immaculate conception or is the truth much more disturbing? At the same time, faced with the first teenage boy she’s seen in her life, Aslaug starts having inappropriate feelings for her cousin, and what’s worse, those feelings are mutual.

Aslaug’s story, however disgusting, is masterfully told and there is no denying Christina Meldrum’s skill. It is divided into two alternating parts: Aslaug’s murky and confusing first person POV, and court transcripts from her trial, occurring four years later. The reader gets to hear about the events from various witnesses in 2007 and then goes back to 2003 to see them through Aslaug’s eyes. But Aslaug is far from a reliable narrator and as the story progressed, I became more and more convinced that she’s lost touch with reality, as I’m sure the author intended.

I can’t bring myself to recommend a book that made me sick to my stomach. The ending especially made me want to cry, or throw up, or both. I’m not exaggerating: I hated myself for reading certain parts of this. But if you ever feel the need to push your boundaries, Madapple is the book to do it with. Just please spare me the details. I think I’ve had all I can handle.

Also, please take my rating with a grain of salt. I still have no idea how to rate this book.

For this review and more, please visit The Nocturnal Library
(less)

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Jun 04, 2012 karen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: why-yes-i-ya

i fully intended to like this more than i did. because my four here should be interpreted as three-and-a-half with four-star potential.

the things i liked:

structure. i love books like this, with a dual narrative approaching each other like tiny trains. the present-day storyline running along and getting interrupted by the four-years future courtroom transcripts and you are like "wooooah - how did we ever get to this point??"

religion/mythology. loved this. so few YA novels these days deal with th...more

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Mar 30, 2012 Emily May rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-na, 2012, coverly-love

Apart from a few annoyingly unanswered questions, this book was simply fantastic. I had been misinformed about Madapple and believed it to be a book mostly about teen pregnancy, but though the book does contain this, it is actually about much more exciting stuff. It's realistic fiction and yet there's this beauty to the writing that makes it read like a fantasy - a modern day United States setting that still manages to seem completely out of this world.

I'm disappointed that more people don't lo...more

Apart from a few annoyingly unanswered questions, this book was simply fantastic. I had been misinformed about Madapple and believed it to be a book mostly about teen pregnancy, but though the book does contain this, it is actually about much more exciting stuff. It's realistic fiction and yet there's this beauty to the writing that makes it read like a fantasy - a modern day United States setting that still manages to seem completely out of this world.

I'm disappointed that more people don't love this, but I suppose I can see why the lengthy herbology lessons make it an unlikely crowd-pleaser. I actually felt it really added something to Madapple and wasn't dull at all, it seemed to increase the sense that I was reading a book about magic. The story alternates between the past and a present day trial in a courtroom where Aslaug is being accused of murder and arson. I really enjoyed this unique format and found it made the mystery all the more interesting.

However, the best things about Madapple - in my opinion - are the discussions about mythology and religion that I found fascinating. Both those subjects interest me and I liked how the characters explored ways in which science and religion can live alongside one another without being mutually exclusive. Did any of you read The Da Vinci Code or Angels and Demons and find yourselves secretly (or not so secretly) enjoying the tales about religion and how it has developed over the centuries with the aid of popular myths... and then remember that you're not supposed to like this because Dan Brown is a pretty terrible writer?

This novel is like that only without the poor writing. Things like this really had me intrigued:

"Dionysus was a god-man, he was worshipped in Greece six centuries before Christ. His mother was a mortal - and a virgin. His father was the god Zeus. He was born around the time of the winter solstice. Late December. Many of the stories about him describe him sleeping in a manger after his birth. As an adult, he was a teacher who performed miracles. He encouraged his followers to liberate themselves from society's rules and promised them new life. Dionysus also rose from the dead and was called the 'Only Bergotten Son', 'King of Kings', 'Alpha and Omega' and 'Savior'. Sound familiar?"

I adore this kind of stuff. I also like how Christina Meldrum does not force any one belief on the reader with her novel, she explores, studies, opens the mind and straddles the line between scepticism and belief. Madapple is a beautiful, interesting, moving, sad and captivating novel that deserves far more love than it's been getting, IMO anyway.(less)

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Nov 17, 2012 Jennifer Wardrip rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: trt-gold-star-award-winner, trt-posted-reviews

Reviewed by Harmony for TeensReadToo.com

I finished reading MADAPPLE last night and, for the first time ever, I sat staring at the book in shock. For fifteen minutes. I was ready to laugh, to cry, and to scream in frustration. Never before have I read a book that left me feeling that way after finishing it. Sure, there have been books where I've laughed, cried, and been frustrated at different points as I read it (HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS comes to mind) -- but to experience them all a...more Reviewed by Harmony for TeensReadToo.com

I finished reading MADAPPLE last night and, for the first time ever, I sat staring at the book in shock. For fifteen minutes. I was ready to laugh, to cry, and to scream in frustration. Never before have I read a book that left me feeling that way after finishing it. Sure, there have been books where I've laughed, cried, and been frustrated at different points as I read it (HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS comes to mind) -- but to experience them all at once at the end of a book? Never.

Once the shock wore off, I began wondering how I was ever going to write a review of this book. Because a book that can cause emotions like that definitely can NOT be summed up in one paragraph, no matter how long. I could say that MADAPPLE was about flowers and plants. I could also say that it's about a girl who's a prisoner in her own life. I could also say that it challenges the religion of Christianity. I could say all of those things and so many more, but none of them would be correct. Yes, MADAPPLE is about flowers and plants. It's also about being a prisoner in your own life and it's even about Christianity. But it's also about so much more than that. More than even my mind can comprehend.

But I must warn you - MADAPPLE is NOT for everyone

Told in alternating chapters of the present and of testimonies being held at Aslaug's trial, MADAPPLE challenges the reader. It informs the reader. I, myself, though not a strong Christian, know by now that most Christians are offended when their religion is challenged. MADAPPLE does that. But I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing, for it never states that Christianity is wrong, and every single character has their own opinion on it. Heck, one of them even runs a church. But what it does do is explain how the birth and story of Jesus that the Christians follow is not the first in history. I'm not going to say more on that subject in fear of giving too much away, but I'll say this - if you're a Christian who is easily offended, I wouldn't read this. If you're a Christian who can handle a reasonable amount of things, pick up the book.

My feelings about MADAPPLE changed throughout the entire book. At first, I was intrigued, then confused, and then bored. Actually, I think I was confused up until the last page and then some. Even at this moment, I can't say whether I love or hate MADAPPLE. But I'm going to say that I love it because it's left me speechless, and the only other books to have done that are my favorites. The one thing, however, this book didn't do was make my stomach hurt. The character emotions just weren't there to make my heart break. All other aspects, besides that, which I love in books were there.

So do I recommend MADAPPLE? Definitely yes! But only if you're up for a challenging read. Only if you're mature enough to handle speculations about virgin and premarital birth. Only if you're ready to be blown away, because you will be, whether it's in a good or bad way. Only you can make that decision. (less)

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Jan 26, 2011 Jillian -always aspiring- rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Readers willing to step out of the box and embrace the great mystery of the unknown

Shelves: out-of-the-box-ideas, titles-i-love, covers-i-love, 2011-reads, made-me-cry, stories-that-challenge-me, couldn-t-stop-reading-it, soared-above-and-beyond, glad-i-gave-it-a-chance, wowed-me, left-me-feeling-conflicted, fab-writing, writing-to-which-i-aspire, exceeded-my-expectations, ultimate-favorites, amazing-storytelling, i-am-not-worthy, very-nearly-heartbreaking, left-me-feeling-drained, thought-provoking, prose-envy, reviewed

Love. Disgust. Conflict. Despair. Indecision.

I felt all those emotions while reading this book -- and, even though the story twisted and turned so very much that it was a bit frustrating, I have no doubt of one thing: Madapple was utterly haunting.

The main character of a novel can tell you a lot about its story and what you can hope to expect. Aslaug, the teenage heroine of Madapple, is a bit of a quandary just like the novel itself: she can best be described as Knowledge without Experience, hav...more Love. Disgust. Conflict. Despair. Indecision.

I felt all those emotions while reading this book -- and, even though the story twisted and turned so very much that it was a bit frustrating, I have no doubt of one thing: Madapple was utterly haunting.

The main character of a novel can tell you a lot about its story and what you can hope to expect. Aslaug, the teenage heroine of Madapple, is a bit of a quandary just like the novel itself: she can best be described as Knowledge without Experience, having read numerous books and learned various languages under the strict guidance of her strange hermit-like, plant-obsessed mother Maren, without venturing much beyond the small world of her house. Aslaug is a dutiful daughter even though her mother's moods are as changing as the winds. When sudden events turn Aslaug's life on its head, however, she finds herself in mystifying circumstances that get stranger and stranger as the book progresses. . .

This book snagged me from the start since I adored how it at first seemed almost a modern-day fairy tale -- the Grimm Brothers kind, not the Disney kind -- and Aslaug seemed more like a victim of circumstances and others' actions than a deranged, homicidal girl. (The truth behind her, however, is one you slowly have to realize throughout the book.) The plant lore, while not wholly interesting or fascinating to me at first, fit into the story and actually became rather intriguing as the story progressed. Also added into the mix were many mentions of various mythologies and religious beliefs throughout the world (none of which are presented in a preachy respect -- but more like a commentary style), which gave the plot more depth than a simple mystery and suspense novel. What really made me love this book, though -- beyond the twisty-turny plot -- was the writing style that read more like an adult novel than a young adult novel. Very refreshing! Basically -- I was very impressed by this entire book (especially when I hated it only to come back and love it a few minutes later; that's a mark of masterful storytelling right there).

As much as I was taken by the book, I won't lie: the story isn't for everyone. It might take a while to get into the book itself, and even then the tale has its moments of being unlikable and quite despicable. The issues and conflicts here might make many readers uncomfortable or uneasy. Some people may become bored or frustrated by it, put it down, and then never pick it back up again. In my opinion, they would be missing out on a very engrossing tale about truth and deceit, illusion and reality, love and hate. What is real? What is not? Can a life become so convoluted that even truth seems fantasy or vice-versa?

You must read it and find out for yourself.(less)

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Feb 26, 2012 Sarah rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: zz-2012, reviewed, reviewed-snarky, grammatical-yodeling, zz-swapped-ya

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. As I sit down to review this book, I can't help thinking of Star Trek V. Okay, sure -- MADAPPLE has absolutely nothing to do with Trek, whether old-school or TNG. But it's human nature to retreat into The Known when traumatized by The Unknown, & I make no apologies for the resulting picspam.

The nature of Christianity & faith (religious faith, not so much Christian-centric) is a key player in the undercurrents of MADAPPLE...or so I've decided, since it's a murky post-modern exercise of li...more

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Oct 14, 2010 Tatiana rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: those who liked Nancy Werlin's "Impossible"

Shelves: 2010, ya, ala-ya-2009, only-i-will-like

"Madapple" is definitely a fascinating and unconventional story. Part courtroom drama, part a dream-like narration of a sheltered and (maybe) delusional girl, it's certainly a book unlike anything I've read before.

Reading some of the book's reviews, I've noticed how hard it is to give an idea what this book is about. In a few words, the story comes down to this: Aslaug is on trial for the murder of her mother, aunt and cousin. As the trial progresses, more and more people are called to testify....more

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Jun 07, 2008 Heather rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The plot of this book was unusual, but slightly unrealistic. The main character lives in seclusion with her mother. She doesn't know anything about the outside world and a good bit about science. While the home schooled seclusion was odd but not too weird, I found myself wondering how her mother, a teen herself when she was pregnant, knew all that stuff about plants and other things. I did find the interactions with the mother the most interesting part of the book.
But then the mother dies and t...more

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Sep 30, 2012 April rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, library, own

Madapple alternates between the narration of Aslaug, the protagonist and a court trial. Aslaug is on trial for the murder of her aunt and cousin. This book blends religion, science, mythology and botany.
Read the rest of my review here

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Apr 08, 2013 Cassi aka Snow White Haggard rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2013, audio-books

I'm glad I listened to Madapple. However I'm not sure if I can say I actually liked it. It's a disturbing read about a girl named Aslaug who's sequestered away from the world by an overprotective mother. Because of her isolation, Aslaug both loves and hates her mother, which skews her understanding of family and love for the whole book. When her mother unexpectedly dies, Aslaug has to face a world she does not understand and is not prepared for.

This book asks a lot of questions without ever answ...more I'm glad I listened to Madapple. However I'm not sure if I can say I actually liked it. It's a disturbing read about a girl named Aslaug who's sequestered away from the world by an overprotective mother. Because of her isolation, Aslaug both loves and hates her mother, which skews her understanding of family and love for the whole book. When her mother unexpectedly dies, Aslaug has to face a world she does not understand and is not prepared for.

This book asks a lot of questions without ever answering them. But the way it asks them, the struggles Aslaug has, are interesting to read. Aslaug's story and her mother's story are very interwoven. The more she learns about herself the more she understands her mother and why she abandoned the world for isolation on their small farm.

One of the most disturbing elements was mutual crush between two cousins (who may or may not be half-siblings as well). Because Aslaug has been isolated and never known a boy her own age, it's understandable to an extent. But being understandable does not make it any less gross.

The biggest problem with this book is the pacing. I appreciate discussions of theology (probably more than most people do) but there's a point where rehashing those conversation drags down the book. There a whole section where this book is almost 90% theological discussion while nothing else happens. As a writer it's good to know all that information and to do all that research. However, the readers don't need all that information, only the sliver that is most relevant.

What this book did was very interesting. The story jumps between a murder trial and Aslaug's story. You never quite understand the timeline, what is happening or what has happened until the very end. Even though my feelings about this book are very mixed and muddled, I think it's worth reading to see what you think about it. The story is different enough to be compelling despite it's flaws.

Narration
Actually the narration really worked for me. I think this is the type of book I would've been tempted to abandon. But there it was every time I climbed into my car there it was, well-narrated and it was too much effort to go to library to search for a new audiobooks. The narration captured Aslaug's otherworldly feel, her isolation and separation from the world quite well. At times I did get confused because the way the book is structured and started passages over to figure out where I was. I think this would've been a better audiobook for a longer car trip where I was forced to focus on the story for more than 15 minute intervals. But like I said, for me this worked and I think it was a good way to get through a difficult book.

For book reviews and more check out my blog Galavanting Girl Books.(less)

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Jun 11, 2011 Isamlq rated it 4 of 5 stars

I knew this was going to be dark, but I wasn't expecting this: Aslaug's story is dark, twisted, confusing, sad and frustrating.. but through all of it, I was stuck. I wanted, no, needed, to know how it would all turn out.

Is this YA? I think not. She's young but her story takes things to a whole other level. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone anyone expecting a typical YA "dark" romance. Unless they want to think. Unless they want to be confused. Unless they want one hell of a story. It had me...more I knew this was going to be dark, but I wasn't expecting this: Aslaug's story is dark, twisted, confusing, sad and frustrating.. but through all of it, I was stuck. I wanted, no, needed, to know how it would all turn out.

Is this YA? I think not. She's young but her story takes things to a whole other level. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone anyone expecting a typical YA "dark" romance. Unless they want to think. Unless they want to be confused. Unless they want one hell of a story. It had me sitting up. It had me going, "What the..!" And the thing is, hers isn't an easy one -never an easy one- because hers moves her from one unfortunate, confusing, angering situation to another. Plus, there's courtroom drama.

Aslaug, her innocence both fascinated and frustrated me. You know that voice in your head that tells you what's up? I wanted to tell her to listen to it. And yet she went along, or got swept along. So maybe all that happened wasn't her fault because things were set up the way they were. She grew up isolated with what probably was a crazy (abusive) mother. So she didn't know. But she always ended up regretting how things turned out. Her experience with her mother should have prepared her for Sara and Sanne, but no! She stayed... and later regreted. She's left to deal with boat load of crap that wasn't her fault. God, she frustrated me, she confused me. And I felt sorry for her.

Rune. Was he a victim too? Or was he simply a guy with no impulse control? Or was he the hero she saw in the end? Or perhaps all three? One thing is for sure, he wasn't one dimensional. He too frustrated me, and yes, digusted me a little. But who am I too judge? I am a firm believer that you can feel what you want, want what you do and act accordingly as long as you don't hurt anyone. So the question is did he hurt anyone? Aslaug? Did she know what she was getting herself into? Keeping in mind how she grew up, what she knew, and the circumstances being as they were? There is no right or wrong when it comes to feeling ~unless the same is coupled with act; that's when right or wrong come in. So victim, wrong-doer or "hero," what was he exactly? Maren, Sara and Sanne and were all damaged. And Rebekka was too. Could I blame them for how things progressed, you bet your ass!

Frightening but fascinating...

4/5(less)

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Jan 19, 2009 Wendy rated it 2 of 5 stars

A disappointing read for me; it came so highly recommended. I was caught up briefly in the beginning, but soon started to think that this was maybe not so different from typical vaguely exploitative (but enjoyable) popular adult fiction--Oprah books, like White Oleander and Midwives. Then it started to get increasingly dry and repetitive; I lost any connection I'd had with the protagonist. I felt like I could see where the story was going, and I wanted to get on with it.

I wish authors would und...more

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May 22, 2008 Megan rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-fiction

Hmmmm....this book was recommended to me by a friend who loved this book and who's recommended great books before. This one I couldn't really get into. It was all over the place - death, abandonement, isolation, botany, poisoning, incest, rape (?), virgin births, murder. All these themes were touched upon but in a very muddied way. It all came together in the end but I found it creepy and weird and not in a good way. This is what I think of as a "special" book - it will have very limited appeal...more

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Feb 07, 2009 Tahleen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: teen

This is technically a teen book, though I think any adult can read it and still be swept away. Aslaug stand on trial for two counts of murder. With chapters alternating between a courtroom scene and young Aslaug's perspective, the story of the teenage girl unfolds with many unexpected twists and turns. There is what I saw as elements of the uncanny throughout; it is not clear until the very end what has happened. Yet Meldrum does a great job at tying up most of the loose ends by the last page. T...more

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Apr 05, 2009 CD rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 07, 2009 Cornmaven rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: hs-adult

I was very disappointed with this book,and it got two stars not because the writing was bad, but because it was way too weird and jumbled in its thought process and unfolding of the tale. Plus, it got great, starred reviews and is marketed to young adults, but I really don't think too many teenagers would be able to plod through it, understand the points, and like it.

A lot of the time I couldn't figure out the author's point/purpose for spending enormous amounts of words and space on certain th...more I was very disappointed with this book,and it got two stars not because the writing was bad, but because it was way too weird and jumbled in its thought process and unfolding of the tale. Plus, it got great, starred reviews and is marketed to young adults, but I really don't think too many teenagers would be able to plod through it, understand the points, and like it.

A lot of the time I couldn't figure out the author's point/purpose for spending enormous amounts of words and space on certain things. The chapters alternate mostly between events during 2003 and the trial for murder of the protagonist/narrator occurring in 2007. This now 19 year old girl has been isolated her entire life in rural Maine by her mother, who had claimed she (the girl) was the product of a virgin birth. The mother is this girl's entire world. The mother homeschools her in mystic religious societies like the Essenes and Gnostics, along with extremely detailed knowledge of plants and herbs, their names and uses. The mother dies in 2003 of cancer, and the girl is found trying to bury her in the backyard. She leaves for another Maine town where she knows she has relatives (her aunt and cousins) before social services can place her with a family. And then it gets more weird.

2003 unfolds with the aunt and cousins, who are just as dysfunctional as the girl. One of the problems with the novel is the author's attempt to inject some kind of cultural cuteness, so that the characters (whose family originates from Denmark), have Danish sounding or new agey names. However, this just makes it more confusing because the aunt ends up with no less than FOUR monikers - her real name Sara, Mor (Danish for mother), a sarcastic name her kids call her, and her identity as "the preacher", as she has founded a charismatic church. I couldn't keep anything straight - who was who, etc. because of that. I also did not like the fact that some of the characters had 'normal' names like Sara and Susanne, but some had Danish or New Agey names like Aslaug (the main character) and Rune (the boy cousin). It was stupid to do that, just confused things. One or the other, please.

I think the book was supposed to be about one's identity, which is clearly a teen/young adult hot topic, but it totally got lost in the pages and pages of herbal information, and the pages and pages of details about the similarities between societal myths and Christian myths. I didn't get the point of the latter at all, within this story, other than perhaps the fascination with it fueled the relationshp fire. And I don't think most teens would necessarily care enough to read all that stuff; perhaps one teen who is fascinated with cultural myths might like it. The herbal information figures into the story, but personally I could have done without about 90% of it - it was just overdone in my opinion.

At the end I found myself skimming just to find the connections between the 2003 events and what was coming out in the trial. The trial chapters were straight forward and my favorites. I did like the juxtaposition of what really happened versus appearances, but it got too tangled up in the herbal/mythology stuff. Aslaug of course becomes pregnant in 2003, and there's a whole storyline about how that happened, what outsiders believed, what her aunt believes, what she believes. We have the virgin birth story repeating itself, but also reality intruding, along with the reality of Aslaug's origins revealed as well. Then, Meldrum messes it up with more weirdness - the aunt thinks Aslaug's baby is the messiah returning, designs to take control of it and 'prepare' it for its future, etc. There's imprisonment, deception, abuse, power and control, but it was all handled too weirdly. The only character I really liked was Rune,who despite his learning differences (caused of course by mother Sara drinking schnapps and doing herbal drugs during his gestation), seemed the most grounded. Aslaug was a sympathetic character, but because she narrated the story, she had to say all the weirdness, and that diminished her in my opinion.

All in all, a big let down. I can't see why this got a starred review. The reviews mention a theme of whether miracles can happen, and the place of divine intervention in life. Now, I have read a lot of fiction that treats those same themes, and this one just does not pass muster on those topics. And really, it should be shelved in adult.

It was just not a satisfying read to me.(less)

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Kalane I think you have the wrong idea about naming. The Hellig family is from Denmark, so Mor is a name used for all mothers, not just Sara. The name "the p...more
Jan 07, 2010 07:30pm

Cornmaven Kalane wrote: "I think you have the wrong idea about naming. The Hellig family is from Denmark, so Mor is a name used for all mothers, not just Sara....more
Jan 08, 2010 07:05am

Feb 06, 2009 Karin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: alcoholism, coming-of-age, families, mystery, outsider, realistic, religion, sex, spirituality, suicide, young-adult-fiction, strange, herb-plant-lore, immaculate-conception, legal-process, borrowed-from-the-library

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. When we meet Aslaug, she is on trial for the murders of her mother, her aunt, and her cousin. As her trial proceeds, the story of her life unfolds. Aslaug never knew her father and she was raised in isolation by her mother, who taught her ancient languages and the uses of plants and herbs. When her mother dies suddenly, Aslaug tries to bury her body in the backyard. A concerned neighbor calls the police, and Aslaug runs away. She discovers her relatives in nearby Bethan (a place she’s only been...more When we meet Aslaug, she is on trial for the murders of her mother, her aunt, and her cousin. As her trial proceeds, the story of her life unfolds. Aslaug never knew her father and she was raised in isolation by her mother, who taught her ancient languages and the uses of plants and herbs. When her mother dies suddenly, Aslaug tries to bury her body in the backyard. A concerned neighbor calls the police, and Aslaug runs away. She discovers her relatives in nearby Bethan (a place she’s only been once before) and they take her in. There she learns some shocking things about her mother and the rest of her family that she’s never heard before. Aslaug’s cousin Sanne uses her to get back at her own mother, and Aslaug somehow becomes pregnant under mysterious circumstances. When her aunt finds out, she locks her up in the basement of the church, and when the child is born, Sanne and her mother treat the baby as if she is the next great prophet, or Messiah. Feeling that the environment isn’t healthy for the baby, Aslaug’s other cousin Rune steals away with the baby and Sanne and her mother commit suicide by overdosing with jimsonweed. Aslaug attempts to burn down the church and authorities take her into custody.

This was a strange, but oddly mesmerizing story. It’s hard to tell in the beginning where or when it’s taking place – modern or older times, in another world or here in this one? Gradually we discover that the strangeness comes from Aslaug’s mother, who has kept so many things from her daughter. But the place that Aslaug escapes to once her mother is gone, is equally bizarre – steeped in religious mysteries that, likewise, fail to give her satisfying answers. History appears to be repeating itself when Aslaug becomes pregnant – she can’t remember ever having had sex with anyone. But it turns out that these mysteries have their roots in the real world and that there are actual “causal” explanations for what’s happened to her. The mixture of courtroom drama and flashbacks to Aslaug’s actual experiences was just right, and her eventual vindication was very satisfying. Because it’s a bit strange and dark, it might not be everyteen’s favorite book, but some will really love it for those very reasons. In flavor/atmosphere, it reminded me a bit of The White Darkness, by Geraldine McCaughrean, which I did not enjoy reading as much as this, but which grew on me as I thought about it in the aftermath.(less)

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Oct 13, 2012 Verlysia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: twisted-truth, heartbreaking

*sighed* I wondered why i give it 5 stars. I didn't even understand the epilog. But this book hypnotized me*. One thing for sure, one thing that i would never realized until i read this.

Its hard to be a mature kid.

I loved and hated this, I love Aslaug, and i hate every character from the book.
Such as Rune, i thought he was the 'kind' one and would be a promising character. But, i know every YA books that i read, those teenage, and their problem, was always because of that**.
description

Fuck those peoples...more

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Nov 30, 2009 Tana rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: crime, drama, mystery, psychological

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Madapple by Christina Meldrum is a novel which focuses on the psychological aspects of things. It explores the slightly darker side of humans and how fantasy plays with reality. The reader follows the protagonist, Aslaug, as she becomes ensnared in the web of lies her mother and relatives weaved around her. As the story goes on, the truth is revealed bit by bit, both trapping her and freeing her.

This novel is an interesting read, even though the plot is unrealistic. The main story takes place fr...more Madapple by Christina Meldrum is a novel which focuses on the psychological aspects of things. It explores the slightly darker side of humans and how fantasy plays with reality. The reader follows the protagonist, Aslaug, as she becomes ensnared in the web of lies her mother and relatives weaved around her. As the story goes on, the truth is revealed bit by bit, both trapping her and freeing her.

This novel is an interesting read, even though the plot is unrealistic. The main story takes place from 2003 to 2007 in America. Aslaug lived with her mother, Maren, far away from society. “She was always alone” (Meldrum 20). The only education she has received is from her mother. Maren always blackens passages out from the books the government provides, leaving Aslaug with very limited knowledge. After Maren dies, Aslaug escaped from her social worker and somehow finds her way to a building she hardly has any recognition of to her relatives, whom she has never met before.

Also, Maren claims Aslaug is of virgin birth. This ‘virgin birth’ idea continues on in Aslaug’s life as she gives birth to a child seemingly of virgin birth. Her relatives encourage that thinking, saying that her daughter is not hers.

It is unrealistic that in that time and place people could live like that and think like that for so long. The police don’t even try to find Aslaug when she escapes. Also, Aslaug carried her baby for nine months and allows her realtive to take her away and feed her lies about her never giving birth.

However, the way Meldrum wrote it makes the book interesting. Every other chapter, starting from chapter one, is Aslaug’s story. The other chapters, conversely, are written in plain dialogue and takes place during Aslaug’s trial. The trial gives away certain aspects layered with assumptions while the story reveals the truth. It keeps the reader in suspense, making continue on reading to know the truth.

Meldrum has done a lot of research and placed it into her book.

Nevertheless, there are just too many information and it is hard to process it all.(less)

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Aug 29, 2008 Molly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, thought-provoking

Writing about madness--or possible madness--is ambitious, to put it lightly. Add in all the other stuff that was in here--religion, obscure biology and plant lore, mystery, legal proceedings--and it's really impressive that she even conceived a story that could work this way. It's beautifully written and creepy-eerie in a way that only a good writer can pull off. And absolutely thought-provoking about the things it was exploring. But...it was more dense than I tend to find satisfying. And the en...more

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Mar 25, 2010 Leah rated it 3 of 5 stars

Hmm. Well, for the most part I thought this book was interesting and well-written, but then it was also disturbing and upsetting for approximately the first 99.9999% of the book, so I can't say I enjoyed reading it. There are lots of YA books out there with this tone these days, so I guess this is what the kids want....? I think I'd still have a hard time handing it to a teenager, though. I did like the descriptions of medicinal plants and such, I just wish the main character wasn't treated so p...more

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Jan 06, 2009 Anda Marie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2009

This book is extra special. There are only a few books that I wish I had written. Madapple is one of them. Every page yields gorgeous details -- which somehow makes the prose light and not bogged-down. I appreciate the research that must have gone into such a novel and Meldrum's storytelling and plot pacing are spot-on. I highly recommend this book.

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Sep 22, 2012 Naima rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Natura e teologia, scienza e religione, sogno e veglia, realt�� e immaginazione, luce e oscurit��, bene e male: i confini sono labili e gli estremi paradossalmente si confondono in questo libro. L'autrice ci narra la vita di Aslaug, sedicenne vissuta con la misteriosa figura di una madre un p�� strega un p�� scienziata. Il suo passato ma anche il suo presente (spesso filtrato dalla sua confusione e dalle pressioni esterne) ci appaiono enigmatici ed inquietanti e ci fanno divorare le pagine con u...more

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Jan 06, 2009 Ryan rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is a tough book to review. On the one hand, its very well written and the story is compelling, the book is put together well. On the other...the material is distressing and disturbing. I would NOT recommend it to anyone I know and would discourage them from reading it.
I was disappointed in the end, until I thought about it more and realized it was a valid ending.

The book is about a lot of things. Perspective and reality - how hard it is to accept the realities of another lifestyle, faith,...more

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May 01, 2013 justablondemoment rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2010, miracles, mothers-and-daughters, alternative-medicine, death-of-parents, dysfunctional-families, false-imprisionment, murder, myths-and-legends, young-adult, thriller-religious, arson, incest, mental-illness

Aslaug is kept very isolated from society by her mother who claims she is a miracle brought into this life from a 'virgin birth'. As the story makes progress Aslaug's mother dies from illness, and she is thrown into an unknown world to her. A world where she is believed to have committed arson and murder. She begins to question her sanity as her own miracle is put up to trial.

Weird book!! Well written but, in a way that is hard for me to review. While a lot of the parts of the book I could have...more

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Jan 24, 2013 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"Bittere Wunder" von Christina Meldrum ist ein Jugendroman, von dem ich eigentlich einen anderen Inhalt erwartet hatte. Dennoch hat mich die Mischung aus Religion, Pflanzenkunde, Mythologie und menschlichen Abgründen nach kurzen Startschwierigkeiten überzeugen können.

Inhalt: Die 15-Jährige Aslaug lebt allein mit ihrer Mutter in einem entlegenen Haus, wo sich die beiden Frauen hauptsächlich mit dem versorgen, was sie in der Natur finden können. Als Aslaugs Mutter stirbt, muss Aslaug ihre isoliert...more "Bittere Wunder" von Christina Meldrum ist ein Jugendroman, von dem ich eigentlich einen anderen Inhalt erwartet hatte. Dennoch hat mich die Mischung aus Religion, Pflanzenkunde, Mythologie und menschlichen Abgründen nach kurzen Startschwierigkeiten überzeugen können.

Inhalt: Die 15-Jährige Aslaug lebt allein mit ihrer Mutter in einem entlegenen Haus, wo sich die beiden Frauen hauptsächlich mit dem versorgen, was sie in der Natur finden können. Als Aslaugs Mutter stirbt, muss Aslaug ihre isolierte Welt verlassen und zieht zu ihrer Tante und deren beiden Kindern, die sie bisher nicht kannte. Dort lernt Aslaug ein streng religiöses Leben kennen und muss sich mit ihrer eigenen Herkunft auseinandersetzen. Unerwartete Ereignisse machen das Leben dort jedoch schwer für Aslaug und vier Jahre später ist sie wegen Mordes angeklagt...

"Bittere Wunder" ist ein Roman, der in der realen Welt, in den USA zwischen den Jahren 2003 und 2007, spielt, sich aber mit einem, eigentlich sogar mit zwei sehr extremen Lebensmodellen befasst, die auf mich so fremd wirkten, wie ein Fantasyroman, und dadurch eine große Faszination auf mich ausübten. Zum Einen ist da das Leben von Aslaug und ihrer Mutter, am Rande der modernen Zivilisation in einer fast autarken, eigenen kleinen Welt. Aslaug wird von ihrer Mutter zu Hause unterrichtet, lernt alte Sprache und alles über die verschiedenen Pflanzen in ihrer Umgebung. Später wechselt sie in die zweite Fast-Parallelwelt, eine streng religiöse, beinahe fanatische Gemeinschaft, die ihre Tante als Pastorin anführt. Auf beiden Stationen in Aslaugs Leben gibt es Abgründe, die kaum vorstellbar sind und mich beim Lesen teilweise sehr mitgenommen haben.

Durchsetzt ist der Roman neben den Kapiteln, in denen Aslaugs Geschichte mit ihr als Ich-Erzählerin wiedergegeben wird, von schlichten Kapiteln in reiner Dialogform von den Vernehmungen der Zeugen während Aslaugs Gerichtsverhandlung 2007. Der radikale Wechsel von Erzählstil und Perspektive ist gut gelungen, verleit der Geschichte insbesondere durch die Gerichtsverhandlung ein gewisses Tempo und erhöht die ansonsten eher weniger vorhandene Spannung, indem der Leser zunächst rätseln muss, worin Aslaugs Vergehen überhaupt besteht. Wer ist gestorben? Wen soll Aslaug ermordet haben, vier Jahre nach dem Tod ihrer Mutter? Hier überschlagen sich vor allem am Ende des Romans noch die Ereignisse, was mir dann, während ich zu Beginn doch erhebliche Startschwierigkeiten hatte, sehr gut gefallen hat, denn die Geschichte ist tiefgehender als zunächst vermutet.

Meine Startschwierigkeiten mit "Bittere Wunder" lagen sicherlich zunächst an der Ich-Erzählerin Aslaug. Nach rationalen Gesichtspunkten lassen sich die Gedanken und Taten des Mädchens oft nicht erklären, was aber im Zusammenhang mit Aslaugs isoliertem Leben mit einer kranken Mutter und deren ausgeprägten Gemütsschwankungen mit der Zeit tatsächlich einen sehr stimmigen Charakter ergab. Insbesondere ihre symbolträchtige Auslegung vieler Situationen mit Verbindungen zur Natur und den Eigenschaften von Pflanzen war manchmal ein wenig trocken, gefiel mir allerdings mit der Zeit als wiederkehrendes Merkmal immer besser. Später werden diese gedanklichen Ausflüge in die Pflanzenwelt noch ergänzt durch oft sehr, manchmal zu ausladenden Diskussionen über Religion und Mythologie, die ich persönlich zwar interessant fand, aber für ein Jugendbuch doch recht langatmig.

Die Altersempfehlung des Verlags, der das Buch für eine Zielgruppe ab 12 Jahren angesetzt hat, kann ich daher nur bedingt unterstützen. Weder im Schreibstil noch in der Geschichte selbst habe ich diese Altersgruppe erkennen können, denn beides ist insgesamt doch recht anspruchsvoll, zumal sich hinter der sehr symbolhaften Ausdrucksweise und der religiösen Interpretation eine sehr handfeste, dunkle Familiengeschichte verbirgt, mit einer von den Protagonisten größtenteils verdrängten Realität, die meistens nur nebenbei ans Licht kommt. Bei sehr jungen Lesern hätte ich mir hier vielleicht eine direktere Auseinandersetzung mit der Thematik gewünscht, da die Wirklichkeit, mit der Aslaug als Ich-Erzählerin ohnehin schon Probleme hat, sonst untergehen könnte. Als Erwachsene vermutet man bei Lesen natürlich schon so einiges, sodass auch aus Andeutungen heraus verstanden werden kann, was sich in dieser Familie tatsächlich ereignete. Ich weiß jedoch nicht, ob auch 12jährige schon eine solche Sensibilität für die Thematik haben und würde das Buch daher eher für über 14jährige empfehlen.

Der Schreibstil ist wie gesagt ohnehin eher anspruchsvoll, ebenso wie der Inhalt insbesondere durch die Verbindung von Mythologie, Natur, Religion und Wirklichkeit mit sehr vielen bildhaften Vergleichen nicht immer leicht nachzuvollziehen ist. Oft haben diese Vergleiche und Diskussionen, die sich wohl vor allem auch aus dem persönlichen Leben der Autorin erklären lassen, ein wenig den Fokus von der sehr mitreißenden Hintergrundgeschichte genommen, was mir für die Emotionalität wiederum nicht ganz so gut gefiel. Allerdings punktet hier besonders das Ende, das sicherlich auch einige Fragen offen lässt - so etwa, ob Aslaug den Teufelskreis ihrer Familiengeschichte nun durchbrechen konnte oder doch eher fortsetzen wird?

Fazit: Sehr symbolhafte Aufarbeitung einer schrecklichen Familiengeschichte mit Natur, Religion und Mythologie. Insgesamt sehr interessant, wenn ich mir auch gerade für ein Jugendbuch manchmal eine etwas direktere Auseinandersetzung gewünscht hätte. Vieles bleibt offen und der Roman noch eine ganze Weile in Erinnerung. Keine leichte, aber doch eine lesenswerte Lektüre. 4 Sterne(less)

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Jul 31, 2012 Rachel Brown rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, mainstream

Last year I kept pulling this novel from the YA shelves, glancing at it, and putting it back. It has an eye-catchingly moody cover and an intriguing title, but no cover or inside flap copy. The first few pages, in which two pregnant Danish sisters in America have an elliptical discussion with many references to wild plants, were well-written but did not reveal the genre or even general subject matter. I wondered, based on the title and cover, if it was Genesis retold as a paranormal romance, wit...more Last year I kept pulling this novel from the YA shelves, glancing at it, and putting it back. It has an eye-catchingly moody cover and an intriguing title, but no cover or inside flap copy. The first few pages, in which two pregnant Danish sisters in America have an elliptical discussion with many references to wild plants, were well-written but did not reveal the genre or even general subject matter. I wondered, based on the title and cover, if it was Genesis retold as a paranormal romance, with Adam, Eve, and Lucifer reincarnated as high schoolers. I hadn’t seen that one yet.

I finally bought the book for a dollar, as a library discard. It was both more and less original than I had thought – not a paranormal romance at all, but a mainstream novel about religious obsession and family dysfunction, with a somewhat unreliable narrator and a plot that kept promising to become more interesting than it ever did.

Aslaug, the narrator, is a girl raised in almost complete isolation in Maine, living off the land with her strange mother, Maren, who gives her a sort of multicultural classical education. When Maren dies, Aslaug flees to relatives she never met before, where she learns that Maren believed that Aslaug was a virgin birth. Aslaug’s religiously obsessed aunt begins to get obsessed with Aslaug, and Aslaug gets obsessed with her hot male cousin, Rune.

Aslaug’s narration, as befits her peculiar education, is dreamy, philosophical, mystical, mythical, and absolutely crammed full of botanical references. But though her frame of reference is odd, she never comes alive as a character apart from that, and other than running away at the beginning, she’s very passive. The main interest in having an isolated character come into contact with society is in examining her culture shock, but since Aslaug only ever interacts with a few people, and those mostly family members, that’s a very minor part of the book.

Alternating chapters are a court transcript of Aslaug’s trial, several years later, for the murders of her mother, aunt, and female cousin. At first suspenseful, these quickly become thuddingly predictable, as each one brings up some reason to suspect Aslaug which her own chapter immediately provides an innocent explanation for. (“I was writing the runes H, C, T, I, and B on my mother’s tombstone, not “bitch” spelled backwards. The symbol I drew in sap on her body was a protective seal of Solomon, not an inverted pentagram.”)

In case anyone’s wondering, I didn’t think the book was preachily pro or anti religion. The religious characters are mostly nutbars, true, but they’re explicitly members of an small, fringey cult, and I don’t recall any anti-religious people appearing at all. My problem with the depiction of religion was that it wasn’t very interesting.

A huge amount of ambition and research, and a reasonable amount of skill went into this book, but the result is uneven. While the early chapters in which Maren is still alive are gripping and strange, the novel deflates when Aslaug leaves her tainted garden of Eden. The excruciatingly detailed realism of the botany got to be a bit much even for me, and I normally love nature descriptions and explanations of how to forage in the wilderness.

A number of events are quite implausible and melodramatic: for instance, the outcome of the court case ends up hinging on the proof of an issue which has little relevance to whether or not Aslaug murdered anyone. Aslaug’s abstract, dreamy narration makes her family and the cult-like church seem insubstantial and vague. As for the virgin birth, I knew what was up with that from the prologue, and it never gets any more complicated.

That being said, others adored this book: “Filled with herbal imagery and nomenclature, the descriptions, both beautiful and surprising, paired with the expert control of pacing, make for a riveting and mind-opening experience.” – School Library Journal. “Plot summary does little justice to this haunting book, which is as much mysticism as it is story.” – Booklist.
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Mar 18, 2012 Elisabeth rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

I bought this book after reading Maja's review on The Nocturnal Library Blog.
I was looking forward to reading this book for two reasons. I needed a break from my dystopian book marathon, and I wanted to read something deeply psychological and disturbing. I love Stephen King and other authors that are not afraid to explore the deepest and darkest corners of the human soul. I love reading scary and shocking books every once in a while.
Well, Madapple was exactly what I needed. It blew my mind, lite...more I bought this book after reading Maja's review on The Nocturnal Library Blog.
I was looking forward to reading this book for two reasons. I needed a break from my dystopian book marathon, and I wanted to read something deeply psychological and disturbing. I love Stephen King and other authors that are not afraid to explore the deepest and darkest corners of the human soul. I love reading scary and shocking books every once in a while.
Well, Madapple was exactly what I needed. It blew my mind, literally.
Christina Meldrum wrote a book that is very unique and thought-provoking. Madapple is a brilliantly written blend of mystery, semiconscious story, and botanical thesis with elements from Celtic mythology, Christianity and other religions.
Madapple is divided into two parts. One part is interviews from a courtroom where Aslaug, our main character, and other witnesses are being cross-examined. The second part is written from Aslaug's point of view. Those parts are divided into chapters which are alternating throughout the book.
The atmosphere and writing styles in the courtroom chapters and the chapters written from Aslaug's point of view are totally different, but they complement each other perfectly.
Aslaug's chapters are written in esoteric, almost dream-like state. It is a beautiful botany encyclopedia mixed with a wide variety of emotions, and cruel, disturbing reality. I love how Aslaug compares people and situations to different herbs, trees and other plants. Her references to flowers, berries and other plants made me feel as if I was reading a poem. I was shocked how something so beautifully poetic turned into something so disturbing quickly.
Aslaug experienced a sheltered, naive childhood in a house with no running water, electricity and with a controlling, mentally unstable and sick mother. She lived a life without friends, regular school or visits to a doctor, like normal kids.
Plants, nature, books, languages, magic and her mother, that was her whole world. When her mother died and she moved in with her aunt and cousins, it was like moving from one madness into another. All the horrible things that happened to her slowly made her open her eyes to see a world that she probably never thought existed.
I was surprised that the scene with a butterfly on page 18 shocked me more than other scenes in this book even though they were much more disturbing and painful. The butterfly scene made my stomach turn, but it might be just because I am a vegan.....
I was a little upset with the ending. It was cut short in my opinion and even thought I found a conclusion, I have a lot of questions!
I could not stop reading this book and I am a bit ashamed that I liked it so much since the book was violent in some ways and touched the subject of incest, and plant-based drug abuse.
I would not recommend this book to anyone who has a weak stomach.
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Feb 19, 2012 Maggie Desmond-O'Brien rated it 5 of 5 stars

Aslaug’s mother may have taught about science and religion, plants and animals and the rest of the natural world—but what she’s never been taught about is life. Especially about her life, or who her father could be. But when Aslaug’s mother dies, and Aslaug is a suspect in her death, her world is torn to pieces. She escapes to the only tie to the outside world she’s ever known—a monastery turned church that houses her aunt, cousins and terrifying secrets about Aslaug’s past…a past that holds unc...more

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Apr 02, 2011 Paul rated it 4 of 5 stars

Madapple by Christina Meldrum – Off the beaten path coming of age story involving an odd young woman and a trial involving multiple murders. Aslaug Hellig has been raised and home schooled in isolation by her Danish mother Maren. She grows remarkably knowledgeable about the natural world and literature. She has only the views of her mother about the outside world. Her mother dies of cancer. A neighbor witnesses Aslaug digging a grave for the body in her back yard and notifies the police. “They’v...more

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topics	posts	views	last activity
YA & Fantasy ...: Part 7 // Kapitel 61 - Ende	15	17	Mar 08, 2013 07:08pm
YA & Fantasy ...: Part 3 // Kapitel 21 - 30	5	10	Feb 27, 2013 05:25am
YA & Fantasy ...: Part 5 // Kapitel 41 - 50	2	8	Feb 25, 2013 12:26pm
YA & Fantasy ...: Part 6 // Kapitel 51 - 60	1	6	Feb 25, 2013 08:27am
YA & Fantasy ...: Part 4 // Kapitel 31 - 40	1	4	Feb 25, 2013 08:26am
YA & Fantasy ...: Part 2 // Kapitel 11 - 20	1	4	Feb 25, 2013 08:25am
YA & Fantasy ...: Part 1 // Kapitel 1 - 10	1	10	Feb 25, 2013 08:23am

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