Madapple

Reader reviewed by Misty

Let me start by saying that in some weird way, this book blew me away.



Madapple is the story of Aslaug Hellig, a bright girl who was
raised in near isolation by her genius -- but disturbed -- mother. When
Aslaug's mother dies, Aslaug goes to the only place she can remember
her mother having taken her. The place, it turns out, is a former
monastery-turned-church, run by an aunt she never knew she had. Aslaug
moves into the church with her aunt Sara and her children, Sanne and
Rune, and gets caught up in the distrubing world they have created for
themselves.



Madapple mixes religion, mythology, psychology and (of all things)
botany to create a very captivating and disturbing world for Aslaug to
live in. Told through chapters set alternately in the present and in
the past, Aslaug's story is revealed slowly and cryptically, making the
book a potentially challenging read for some. Also, some themes and
subject matter may be too adult and/or inappropriate for some readers,
but for those who persevere and can handle the dark subject matter,
Madapple is a strange little gem. It is little wonder that Meldrum, a
first time author, was a finalist for the Morris Award.

Reader reviewed by Liz C.

 Madapple is about a
girl named Aslaug. She grows up extremely isolated with her ill mother who only
teaches her about plants, languages, and religions. She has believed her whole
life that she has no father- she was born of a virgin. When her mother, the only
person shes ever known suddenly dies, she is plummeted into the real world.
She finds her way to her Aunt Saras house, which is also a church, and finally
meets the people her mother has tried so hard to keep her away from all those
years. Her cousin Sanne holds important journals kept by Aslaugs mother,
reassuring Aslaug that she was indeed born of a virgin. She quickly falls in
love with her other cousin, Rune, who does not believe in his sisters
theories. When Aslaug mysteriously becomes pregnant, her first instinct is to
accuse Rune of rape. To protect her child, Sara confines Aslaug to a locked
room, while Sanne tries to convince her cousin that she will soon be having a
virgin birth, like her mother, and Aslaug eventually begins to believe. When
Aslaug gives birth, Rune and his girlfriend Rebecca run away with the baby, in
hopes that they can live a normal life together. Sometime after Rune and
Rebecca run away, Aslaug ends up in court, where she is being tried for murder.
The book goes back and forth between the courtroom, and Aslaugs time at Saras
church. Slowly the story begins to unravel, until we finally know the truth
about Aslaugs birth, her daughters birth, and why shes in court.

 

 

Madapple is a tragically beautiful book. While the story may
seem unbelievable at first, it feels sickeningly real. Aslaug was a character
filled with strength and pride even after all she went through. Even when she
felt like she hated her mother, she honored her when she died. The other characters
each had unique personalities, and weaknesses. Sanne and Sara were in a way
pathetic, they believed in Aslaugs baby so much that it killed them. Rebecca
and Rune were the minds of reason, willing to do anything to protect Aslaugs
baby, even if they had to run away. Madapple is a story of deceit, Aslaugs
entire life is a lie, but it is also a story of hope, as Aslaug could not have
had the ending she did without that lie. The ending was not predictable at all,
but it was perfect. It was truly the definition of a happy ending. I cried
when I was done with the book, and wished that it hadnt ended. Madapple is
hands-down one of the best books Ive read.

Reader reviewed by Bookluver-Carol

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 languagebut not about life. Especially not how she came to have her own life, and who her father might be.

When Aslaugs mother dies unexpectedly, everything changes. For Aslaug is a suspect in her mothers death. And the more her story unravels, the more questions unfold. About the nature of Aslaugs birth. About what she should do next.

Madapple is NOT for everyone.

I've never read a book like this. It keep me reading and wondering what happen. The alternate chapters one in the past and the other in the present was pure genius and the let us know more about Aslaug and what happened to her. I found this book to be amazing, heart breaking, and interesting. The religion ,language,and botany parts of the book were so well written you know that the author knew what she was talking about. The book refused to leave your head even after you finished reading it. Aslaug was a unique character and you felt bad for her because of everything that she went through. This was an amazing debut for Christina Meldrum. The plot was really great and I can't believe that this was Christina Meldrum's YA debut. It was just so amazing.

Reader reviewed by Kayla (Midnight Twilight)

Aslaug has spent her whole life in a small house with her mother. She feels trapped but there is nowhere for her to go. When her mother dies she gets the chance to leave, but where does she have to go to?

Aslaug is then put on trial for two murders. But can she distinguish what is the truth and what is derived from the "mad apple".


I was pulled in very quickly to Madapple. The writing style is very interesting and very original. I read somewhere Christina Meldrum did a lot of research while writing Madapple and it shows. This book contains a wealth of knowledge that just adds more intrigue. This is a book you will definitely want to read again and again.

Reader reviewed by Khy

Aslaug is a strange young woman. Her mother has brought her up in a highly unusual way, teaching her about plant's abilities and languages. But when Aslaug's mother grows sick and dies, Aslaug is blamed for her death. As she goes off to live with relatives, her life becomes more complicated and eventually becomes blamed for more deaths. She is put on trial and the story is revealed.

Madapple was beautifully and cleverly written. The chapters alternate between Aslaug's story and the trial that follows Aslaug's story. Because of this, the story is revealed in pieces, keeping things suspenseful and making you want more.

The chapter's of Aslaug's story were poetic, while the trial chapters were really intense. The intensity showed how big of a deal finding out the truth was. The difference in chapter writing made the book interesting to read.

This book deals with fascinating subject matter and I highly recommend it.

Reader reviewed by Sena

Amazing book. A page-turner, but best for sophisticated/mature teens (and adults). Definitely thought-provoking. It delves into topics ranging from religion and mythology to physics and herbology to incest. It's a bit controversial in its subject matter, but the mature themes are handled with sensitivity. And it has a compelling mystery that makes it a page-turner. The chapters oscillate between sixteen-year old Aslaug's telling of the story and her trial for murder. The shifting perspectives kept me guessing. And I didn't figure out the mystery until the last page or two. (And I usually do figure out the mysteries!) That said, this book is not for teens under fourteen. It's probably best for sixteen and up. I think many adults would love this book, too. It's a good book for people who enjoy thoughtful, provocative mysteries. Regarding the characters, they all are imperfect people, yet I found myself caring about them deeply. I really loved this book and I highly recommend it. It is one of those books that I will go back to and read again, knowing that I will get more out of each read. I sense there is a lot of symbolism in the book, much of which I didn't fully appreciate on the first read. But if you like books with layered meanings, this book is for you!