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Madapple

by Christina Meldrum (Goodreads Author)

3.35 · rating details · 1,279 ratings · 385 reviews

THE SECRETS OF the past meet the shocks of the present.
Aslaug is an unusual young woman. Her mother has brought her up in near isolation, teaching her about plants and nature and language—but not about life. Especially not how she came to have her own life, and who her father might be.

When Aslaug’s mother dies unexpectedly, everything changes. For Aslaug is a suspect in he...more

Hardcover, 410 pages

Published May 13th 2008 by Knopf Books for Young Readers

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Jan 30, 2012

Maja rated it

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...moreWow. 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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Jan 26, 2011

Jillian -always aspiring- rated it

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, books-that-made-me-cry, books-that-challenge-me, couldn-t-stop-reading-it, books-that-soared-above-and-beyond, glad-i-gave-it-a-chance, wowed-me, left-me-feeling-conflicted, fab-writing, writing-to-which-i-aspire, favorite-books, exceeded-my-expectations, ultimate-favorites, amazing-storytelling, i-am-not-worthy, very-nearly-heartbreaking, left-me-feeling-drained, thought-provoking, prose-envy

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 Kn...moreLove. 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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Oct 14, 2010

Tatiana rated it

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 ar...more

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Jun 07, 2008

Heather rated it

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...more

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Jun 11, 2011

Isamlq rated it

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 hel...moreI 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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Jul 26, 2008

Jennifer Wardrip rated it

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 experienc...moreReviewed 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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May 22, 2008

Megan rated it

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...more

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Feb 07, 2009

Tahleen rated it

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

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

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Feb 07, 2009

Cornmaven rated it

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...moreI 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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Feb 06, 2009

Barky rated it

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 ...moreWhen 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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Jan 19, 2009

Wendy rated it

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 a...more

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Aug 29, 2008

Molly rated it

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

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

AMAMAM rated it

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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Jan 06, 2009

Ryan rated it

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...more

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Jul 31, 2011

Verlysia rated it

Shelves: best-twisting-truth, cried, not-fair

*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.
People wouldn't understand why i dare, cried, and loved this book*.

I love and hate 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 ...more

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Apr 02, 2011

Paul rated it

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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Mar 30, 2011

Dana rated it

Shelves: youngadult

This is the story of a woman named Aslaug, daughter of a Danish immigrant, who grows up isolated from the world. Her mother keeps her separate from neighbors, schools, people in town, and as much of modern culture as possible. They have no electricity or running water (though they do have a car) and Aslaug has no opportunities to meet other children. Her mother homeschools her in ancient languages, botany, and religious studies, and they use only what they need. Suddenly, Aslaug's mother dies of...moreThis is the story of a woman named Aslaug, daughter of a Danish immigrant, who grows up isolated from the world. Her mother keeps her separate from neighbors, schools, people in town, and as much of modern culture as possible. They have no electricity or running water (though they do have a car) and Aslaug has no opportunities to meet other children. Her mother homeschools her in ancient languages, botany, and religious studies, and they use only what they need. Suddenly, Aslaug's mother dies of cancer, and the world is burst open.
Most of the book is a repartee between Aslaug's descriptions of events several years in the past, and court transcripts from a trial in which Aslaug is accused of murder.
We follow the narration through Aslaug's hours, weeks, and months following her mother's death. The trial transcripts interspersed between chapters are often jarring, but (and?) build suspense and increase the pace of the book.
I was intrigued by the premise of the story. The first half, for me, was slow going, but I eventualyl hit a point of no return and wanted to find the answers to the obvious questions. What, if anything, is Aslaug guilty of? How many pieces of the events outlined in the trial could she actually have prevented?
The biggest fault I see in the book is the overexplaining of religious ihstory and doctrine. While it did, to an extent, increase my understanding of Aslaug's mindset and the whole family's worldview, I felt it bogged down the storyline. It felt as if there were many pages when character engaged in a Socratic dialogue about mysterious Christian offshoots, Gnostic gospels, and little-known historical-religious tangents. It distracted me from the characters themselves and the story that was there; it felt like sitting in on someone's religious history lesson. I was not surprised to see that the author has a degree in religious studies; I was only surprised that it was Bachelor's and not a Master's or Doctorate.
Overall, I don't think I can get past "It was ok" on the five-point scale. My pace of reading certainly increased in the last third of the book, but I spent a great deal of the book reaidng it mostly to be able to report back to the person who recommended the book. (less)

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Nov 30, 2010

Savannah rated it

Madapple- Christina Meldrum

An addictive, shocking mystery novel, Madapple certainly keeps you on your toes. Every twist and turn is unexpected, and leaves you wanting more.
Aslaug Datter, daughter of Maren, has lived isolated her whole life. When tragedy strikes, she is met by her Aunt and cousins. She learns more and more about her past, her mothers past. The more the web untangles, the more confused Aslaug becomes. The book follows her journey from complete isolation to living i...more

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Oct 20, 2010

Sandra rated it

I really liked how it alternates between the court room scene and Aslaug's perspective, and I feel that each of the main characters has more depth than many other novels. However, I felt the ending was too abrupt. There weren't many main events in the story (appropriately so), and I felt the author has developed them rather well, so the ending came especially as a surprise to me.

Suddenly, someone appears and a simple solution which doesn't wrap up the all the previous events is present...more

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Jul 03, 2010

Erin rated it

Shelves: adult, award, death, teen, realistic-fiction

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Meldrum, Christina. (2008). Madapple. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
• 404 pages
• Intended audience: Upper High School, grades 9-12
• Awards:
WINNER 2008 - Booklist Children's Editors' Choice
WINNER 2008 - Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Books
WINNER 2008 - Amazon Best of the Year So Far
• Reviews:
Cooper, Ilene. (2008, April). Madapple. Review of book Madapple. The Booklist, 104(15), 48-49. Retrieved June 23, 2009, from Research Library database. ...more

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May 18, 2010

Precious rated it

Meldrum takes readers into an unusual life injected with chunks of nature and mythology. As someone who loves reading about mythology, this was something that I thoroughly enjoyed. The unfolding of the story and of the truth with alternating chapters of Aslaug’s narration and of the court trial was extremely smooth and well-written.

Her relationship with her cousin Rune is a wild concoction of passion, connection and longing smeared onto the pages. Naturally sweet and talented, he gi...more

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Feb 20, 2010

santina rated it

I can't explain this book properly. It's part immigration story, part murder mystery, part botany lesson, and part religious text. The main character is a teenage girl who lives with her mother in isolation in rural Maine feeding on whatever they find in the forest. One of the first things we learn about these two is her mother's claim that the girl was conceived of a virgin birth. The first real contact this girl has with society is when her mother dies of a disease that's crippling her wit...more

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Jan 29, 2010

Maggie Desmond-O'Brien rated it

http://maggiesbookshelf.blogspot.com/201...

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 ter...morehttp://maggiesbookshelf.blogspot.com/201...

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 uncanny sway over her future.

Boy, was this book worth a second read! I was blown away by everything about this novel—its spare, dark style, the pages and pages of scientific, religious and herbal lore that somehow weave their way seamlessly into the story, and most of all, the haunting and startlingly realistic characters.

It’s rare that I find a book that I can’t find anything wrong with. And even with those books, I still tend to find something wrong. For example, with this one, the end of the story was a little less than satisfying. But even so, with all of the books upon books upon books that I’ve read, I still think I’ve found a new favorite. Luscious description, hypnotic prose, and achingly real dialogue made for a book I couldn’t put down. And I mean quite literally couldn’t put down.

It’s even rarer that I find a book that I want to cash in my savings account on and buy a copy for absolutely everybody I know. But Madapple is that book! So in lieu of an extra thousand dollars or so, I’m begging you to pick this one up at your local (indie!) bookstore, or at least go to the library for it. After this roller coaster ride of emotions, revelations and a 101 course in pretty much every subject I can think of, I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

One thing I’ve never found? A debut author that delivers quite as thoroughly as Christina Meldrum has done here!

The Final Verdict: Read it, right now, and be utterly transformed. Lyrical and heartbreaking and utterly unforgettable!(less)

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Nov 30, 2009

Tana rated it

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 pl...moreMadapple 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.
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Aug 29, 2009

Amanda rated it

I am shaking - really. The last 100 pages of this book are like a hurricane that refuses to quit slamming and pummeling and drenching you in confusion, fever, and chaos that muddles your brain until you can't help but cry out or fall out of your chair. I did.

But first things first; 'madapple', to be bluntly honest, scared the shit out of me. There are a lot of, I don't want to say 'grown up', but yes, 'grown up' and mature ideas surrounding this book, including the challenge of relig...moreI am shaking - really. The last 100 pages of this book are like a hurricane that refuses to quit slamming and pummeling and drenching you in confusion, fever, and chaos that muddles your brain until you can't help but cry out or fall out of your chair. I did.

But first things first; 'madapple', to be bluntly honest, scared the shit out of me. There are a lot of, I don't want to say 'grown up', but yes, 'grown up' and mature ideas surrounding this book, including the challenge of religion (Christianity), sex, drinking, smoking, etc. It is just one of those books that really makes you rethink life and what the heck everyone is doing in it. I was trembling out of rage, fear, joy, and just the swirl of emotions this book leaves you with. Mostly shock at its audacity. So a warning to anyone who reads this - strap yourself down for a plummet you cannot even imagine coming...

Though slow in the beginning and middle, and at one part not smoothly written, 'madapple' nevertheless caught my interest in its unorthodox subject matter, first of all, and the format and pattern of writing. Each chapter is followed by a scene from a trial, Aslaug Datter's trial, the main character (is she a protagonist or not? read to find out:)), so that before a given seen actually happens in the book, you already know the future from the trial. One would think that would be confusing, completely ruin the suspense of the novel, and therefore make the book seem dull and lackadaisical, but it actually has the opposite effect. Meldrum uses the reader's foreknowledge of the events to stir their minds and have them stew about the possibilities of what could happen. What really makes this book brilliant though, (again in a reckless and terrifying way) are the abrupt turns and twists and near accidents that litter the plot like roadkill on the highway. You either go 0-60 miles an hour or 60-0 and sometimes you really do need an air bag to cushion your fall. Because you will land on your ass. I guarantee it.

This was an unusually good read and I recommend it to teens especially, because through Aslaug's life and ignorance in some cases, I, at least, really got to know myself a little better...and how scary the world can be. Sometimes we all need to confront that unknown part of ourselves though, the grown-up part, the Madapple part, in order to prepare us for the future. Because if we don't - who knows what cage* (hem) we'll end up in.

["'It's time to open the curtains, let in the sun, let these mad apples grow'"...(Meldrum, 404).:]

In this case, if you look at the cover of Madapple - the girl's ghostly shocking hair, her shadowed eyes, the storm clouds of the background, the gloom that seems imminent, and the unnerving sense that she is about to eat a buttlerfly...you've pretty much summed up the haunting feeling of this book in one picture. If you think you can handle the assault of 'Madapple', move your piece to 'go' and start a terrifying game of life...

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Nov 25, 2009

Morgan F rated it

Shelves: nfa-library, 2000s, young-adult, goodreads-author, religion, pretty-covers

The thing that originally attracted me to this book was the cover. Look at it! So dark and mysterious...and the description only added to the appeal. It seemed like an intriguing read.
And it was, but not exactly what I was expecting. From the way it sounded, I thought it would be further back in time, and possibly with some magic involved. Instead what I got was botany, incest, religion, philosophy, murder, and mythology. This story was very complex, with too parallel story lines real...more

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Jul 26, 2008

Karlan rated it

Recommends it for: Teens and adults

16 year old Aslaug grew up alone with her mother, a Danish immigrant, in Maine. A brilliant girl who was homeschooled, she did not know where to turn when her mother died. Her story alternates with short chapters depicting her trial for murder.This is one of the most original stories I've read. It is longer than most novels for older teens but the story is so fascinating that the reader does not mind. It is a mature story which would appeal to many adult readers.

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May 02, 2009

Miriam rated it

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

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About Christina Meldrum

Christina Meldrum is the author of MADAPPLE, a finalist for the PEN USA Literary Award and the William C. Morris Award, an ALA Best Book, a Booklist Editor's Choice and a Kirkus Reviews Best Book. Her second novel, AMARYLLIS IN BLUEBERRY, is forthcoming in February 2011 from Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. http://www.christinameldrum.com/

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“Life was a revolving mystery, sometimes terrifying, sometimes maddening. But always provocative. Interesting. And although its meaning seemed beyond my grasp, it never seemed meaningless.” — 7 people liked it

“From within this chrysalis, the universe outside is the aberration; if I exit, the aberration will be me.” — 6 people liked it

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