The powerful and moving life stories of two Métis sisters who suffer the breakdown of their family relations and the injustices of the social services system. Ten critical essays accompany one of the best-known texts by a Canadian Aboriginal author.
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About the Author
Beatrice (Culleton) Mosionier was born in the St. Boniface area of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The youngest of four children, she grew up in foster homes, but says she had a “reasonably happy childhood.” When she was 17, Beatrice moved to Toronto where she attended George Brown College. Her sister Vivian committed suicide in 1964; after a second sister, Kathy, committed suicide in 1980, Beatrice decided to write a book. In Search of April Raintree, based loosely on her own experiences, was published in 1983, and has become a Canadian classic. A revised version, April Raintree, is taught in schools around the world. In 1999, In Search of April Raintree, Critical Edition, was published by Peguis Publishers (now Portage & Main Press). Beatrice is the author of several children’s book including: Spirit of the White Bison, Christopher’s Folly, and Unusual Friendships: A Little Black Cat and a Little White Rat. Her second novel, In the Shadow of Evil, was published in 2000. Beatrice has travelled nationally and internationallyb to speak to organizations, schools, and universities. In her spare time, she pursues her other long-time interest—designing and building woodworking projects
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More About the Author
Beatrice Mosionier was born in St. Boniface, Manitoba in 1949, and was the youngest of four children. When she was three, she was separated from her parents and she and her siblings were placed in different foster homes.
Following the suicides of her sisters, Vivian in 1964 and Kathy in 1980, Beatrice, who had no desire to be a writer, decided to write a book to understand why her sisters committed suicide, and why her family had lived with poverty, alcoholism and racism.
She wrote about a young Metis woman trying to survive in two worlds, one she rejected and one that rejected her. "In Search of April Raintree" was published in 1983, under Beatrice Culleton, her married name at the time. The novel had such impact that subsequent editions were published for high schools and for universities. This book remains one of Canada's most popular works of Aboriginal literature. The 25th Anniversary Edition launched the Manitoba literacy initiative, On the Same Page: Manitoba Reads, in 2008.
Beatrice previously worked as publisher of Pemmican Publications, has written more works of fiction, a play and a short film. She now writes under her maiden name. Her most recent book, "Come Walk With Me, A Memoir", was released in October 2009. She now lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba with her husband.
Following the suicides of her sisters, Vivian in 1964 and Kathy in 1980, Beatrice, who had no desire to be a writer, decided to write a book to understand why her sisters committed suicide, and why her family had lived with poverty, alcoholism and racism.
She wrote about a young Metis woman trying to survive in two worlds, one she rejected and one that rejected her. "In Search of April Raintree" was published in 1983, under Beatrice Culleton, her married name at the time. The novel had such impact that subsequent editions were published for high schools and for universities. This book remains one of Canada's most popular works of Aboriginal literature. The 25th Anniversary Edition launched the Manitoba literacy initiative, On the Same Page: Manitoba Reads, in 2008.
Beatrice previously worked as publisher of Pemmican Publications, has written more works of fiction, a play and a short film. She now writes under her maiden name. Her most recent book, "Come Walk With Me, A Memoir", was released in October 2009. She now lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba with her husband.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Canadian novel that should be required reading.,
By Illyria Fey (Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: In Search of April Raintree: Critical Edition (Paperback)
This story was written and set in my hometown of Winnipeg. I'm writing a review not because I feel the need to examine or analyse, but rather because this book had a major impact on me when I was around 13 and I think its incredible that it has not gained greater recognition/appreciation.To summarize in brief, this book is a told through the eyes of April, a young Metis girl whose parents are caring but neglectful alcoholics. The story follows April and her sister, Cheryl, as they are taken from their parents and enter the foster care system. Passed from white family to white family, their lives are comfortable at best, hell at the worst; never are they truly at home, rarely do they see their parents. Their experiences differ because they are split up almost immediately. Their difference in experience lead them down divided paths - one of them extremely tragic. As a teenage white girl, this book shocked and horrified me. Out of all the books I read during that time period, I think this one drew the most empathy and the most lasting reaction. I can still recall the nightmarish rape scene from this book and cringe at the memory. Culleton is an amazing writer. She draws you into the story and the hearts of the characters. Its impossible to put the book down and simply forget about what you've read. I believe Culleton based the book on her own experiences, but I'm not certain. What I do know for a fact is that this book is realistic. I live in this city, I grew up in the neigbourhood written about, and friends of mine work for CFS (Child & Family Services). This book is not an exaggeration and knowing that for a fact when you read it makes for even more of an impact. The story is dramatic and touching. I reread it a number of times - first the "censored" version and then In Search of April Raintree (uncensored) after my school librarian told me about it. I'm almost tempted to say its not a book for kids, but then I don't think it did me any harm. It woke me up a bit, definitely. I remember sobbing in an armchair after finishing it. The characters stay with you. Like all well-written books, this one is literally mood-altering. The writing is so well done that you become the main character and feel almost a physical pain over what she endures and suffers. If anything, this book should be read to encourage simple empathy. At best, it could be hoped that it would provide greater understanding and insight into the experiences of many children and over the well... no other word but 'plight' is coming to mind right now, so the 'plight' of many Native/Metis Canadian people. (I'm sleepy as I write this but I'm hoping my recommendation will hold up. Also, I just checked online and found this: "Although only loosely based on Culleton's own childhood experiences as a foster child, the book is dedicated to her two sisters, who, like Cheryl Raintree, commited suicide as adults.") ~illyria
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Awesome Book!,
By A Customer
This review is from: In Search of April Raintree: Critical Edition (Paperback)
I am a high school student that just finished reading "In Search of April Raintree" and I must say that it is the one of the best books ever written! It is a story about a Metis girl named April and her sister Cheryl. She was taken away from her parents by social services at a young age. It tells how she struggled from foster home to foster home. Separated from her sister. It gives you a closer look at how foster children grow up and it isn't always pretty! The two girls have totally different values and beliefs but struggle to stay close. I must warn you that this book is pretty graphic, but people should know about what April went through. If you want a good book, read this one. If you can't handle reality then it probably isn't for you.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Review: In Search of April Raintree,
By Tim Klein (Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: In Search of April Raintree: Critical Edition (Paperback)
Beatrice Culleton Mosionier's "In Search of April Raintree" is a masterfully written fiction novel about two Metis sisters seperated from their family and each other at a young age. The novel, although fiction, gives the reader an all too true account of the plight of the native people. The story follows the two sisters' seperate yet intimately connective lives. That's all I choose to say about the story line as the novel works on many levels. It is brilliantly written and intriguing how the characters evolve and influence each other throughout the book. To say any more would be a disservice to the potential reader. ENJOY!
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