Madapple by Christina Meldrum
First things first. I LOVE the cover of Madapple by Christina Meldrum. And then after reading Madapple, I love the cover even more because it matches the story perfectly. I keep looking at it. It’s simply great.
Christina Meldrum is going to be an author to watch. Madapple, her debut book, is already garnering amazing reviews and awards, and for good reason. In Madapple, 15 year old Aslaug lives in isolation with her overbearing mother. Her upbringing is strange to say the least. They don’t use electricity, they rarely venture out, she’s never viewed herself in a mirror, they never speak of any family, she doesn’t even know what her last name is and they survive by foraging off of the land. Aslaug’s mother teaches her about botany, theology, and among other things, that Aslaug was born of a virgin birth.
After Aslaug’s mother dies, Asluag goes to live with an aunt and two cousins that she never knew she had. While there, Aslaug delves into her past searching for answers about her mother and herself. The story is told in alternating chapters between a courtroom trial four years in the future and between Aslaug’s present. 
Mary at Blog Stop Book Tours interviewed Christina and I enjoyed Christina’s insight and want to share them with you. Of Madapple, Christina says:
I wanted to explore the dichotomy between science and religion. Having studied religion, I’d come to believe this dichotomy was a human construct. As Aslaug, the protagonist of Madapple, says, “Science describes the world, it doesn’t explain it: it can describe the universe’s formation, but it can’t explain…how something can come from nothing. That’s the miracle.” Yet religion absent science also seems insufficient. If God exists, would not nature be a means by which to understand God? The more I researched the natural world in my writing of Madapple, the more convinced of this I became.
Ultimately, I hoped Madapple would be a contemplation on faith: faith in God; faith in science; and the way in which faith can both open the mind and confine it. And I hoped Aslaug, the protagonist of Madapple, would be an embodiment of this contemplation on faith. An isolated girl whose daily existence is utterly dependent on the natural world—on foraging—and who interprets the world through this lens; but whose emotional life, due to extraordinary circumstances, becomes fueled by religion and mythology. When these two ways of seeing the world collide in Aslaug’s trial for murder, the reader must ask: Is the devil in the details, or is it God? In the end, the categories fail: the answer is both.
Although a page turner, I did feel that at times I was getting more of a botany or a theology lesson, but both play such a large part into the story that I didn’t mind. Plus, gardening is a huge hobby of mine (I’m actually a Master Gardener) so I found the botany descriptions and parallels interesting. Madapple also touched upon some dark subjects including abuse, death, rape, and incest. Published as a young adult novel, Madapple is a crossover book. Christina talks about the “crossover” effect on her blog.
I’m definitely checking out what Christina Meldrum comes up with next. This was one heck of a debut.
I received Madapple as a part of Christina’s blog tour through Blog Stop Book Tours. Head on over to check out what other reviewers are saying. Also visit Christina Meldrum’s website.
The cover is indeed cool! I’ll have to check this one out. I’m intrigued by books that take on science and religion. Sounds like this book gives you a lot to think about. Thanks for the great review!
on June 23rd, 2008 at 7:00 amI heard a little about this book and didn’t think it sounded that interesting, but I think your review changed my mind.
on June 23rd, 2008 at 8:36 amI loved this book also! I agree the cover is mesmerizing especially when you start to understand the meaning of the butterfly. I can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next.
on June 23rd, 2008 at 9:29 amThis is sounds so interesting. I’m going to have to track this down. I wish you had told us what the court case was about but maybe that gives too much away. Great review!
on June 23rd, 2008 at 11:21 amThis sounds good! I will have to pick up a copy.
on June 23rd, 2008 at 3:35 pmHmm sounds interesting, another for my TBR pile.
on June 23rd, 2008 at 8:51 pmSounds really interesting, I’ll check it out. It seems like some of the best writing is coming from the young adult writers. Has it always been this way?
on June 24th, 2008 at 12:11 pmLooks like a fascinating book. I’m putting it on my TBR right now!
on June 24th, 2008 at 5:19 pmI reviewed this book and really liked it too!
on June 24th, 2008 at 6:27 pmAnna - Yes, a lot of science and religion in this one!
Liviana - I love changing people’s mind. Yay!
Nicole - I always wondered what the butterfly meant and then I got to that part and thought the cover was even cooler!
Janet - Our main character is up for trial for a double homicide. So there is some mystery in there.
Rebecca - Can’t wait to hear what you think.
Kathleen - Ah, the always growing TBR.
Mrs. B. Roth - It’s true. I’ve only started reading YA this year but it’s been some of the best reads recently. I hear that YA is the one genre that is steadily growing compared to the others.
Jeane - Yay!
Tracy - I’ll have to make my way over and see what you thought.
on June 27th, 2008 at 5:06 pmGreat review…this was one the best books I’ve read this year. I loved Meldrum’s approach with the format of the book as well as the dark and twisted plot. Hmmm..it is weird that I like dark and twisted plots?
on June 28th, 2008 at 5:58 pmI have this on my TBR list and look forward to reading it. I’m so happy to read that you really enjoyed it.
on June 29th, 2008 at 11:46 am[...] at the end. It’s definitely in my favorites of the year so far. Other reviews: at Reading Rants, at Maw Books, on NPR. Posted by Carlie Webber in books 2008 at 10:11 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks [...]
on July 23rd, 2008 at 8:19 am[...] young adult novel Madapple, who is guest posting today. I really enjoyed Madapple and you may read my full book review. And check out her recipe for blueberry pancakes. I don’t know about you but I’ve [...]
on September 16th, 2008 at 8:51 amI reviewed this also and have an interview of Christina Meldrum posted. I was blown away by the book. The writing is beautiful and insightful. The topic is so different. There is so much going on in the story. I did an interview, because halfway through the book I had several questions I wanted to ask her. I don’t tend to react that way. It struck me as being written like an adult book. I was surprised to learn it was YA. The main character is a teen, but it certainly would appeal to the adult audience as well.
review - http://www.bookadvice.net/dbaxis.php?cat=madapple
interview - http://www.bookadvice.net/2008/06/15/interview-of-christina-meldrum/
on November 29th, 2008 at 9:58 pm