Reviews tagging 'Child death'

Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris

52 reviews

notthatcosta's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Despite the plot being relentlessly grim for much of the book, I was really impressed by Priscilla Morris' capacity to introduce moments of levity and simple joy amidst the crushing reality of what was faced by the people of Sarajevo. 

I was also impressed to learn that much of the plot was inspired by real life stories from Morris' family members and research subjects, which makes sense considering how grounded and lived in the characters felt. 

Also certainly not an uplifting read, it's a book I thoroughly enjoyed. 
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simoneg's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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thewrongalice's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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brynpemery's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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apthompson's review against another edition

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emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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milliemarilyn's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Beautifully written yet heartbreaking story of a woman during a war as the world crushes down around her. This is a story of resilience and hope even in the darkest times, of friendship and finding community in the worst times. Zora is an artist and her love and dependence on art is prevalent throughout. 

I didn’t know anything about the siege of Sarajevo before listening to this book, book some research alongside listening means I’ve learnt a fair amount. I can see why this was nominated for women’s book of the year, five stars. 
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hjb_128's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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bookynooknook's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Set in Bosnia, features families and friends who stay while war and genocide rages. Emotional, destroying and oh so important. 
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frietje9's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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sidekicksam's review against another edition

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fast-paced

3.75

The story follows Zora, a middle-aged painter who remains in Sarajevo after sending her elderly mother and husband away to stay with their daughter in England at the start of the war in Bosnia, believing it to be a temporary unrest. She remains in their apartment, forming a close community with her neighbours, watching the start of the war from up close. 

Things gradually get worse. From being denied access to her studio at the university she works at, to electricity and water being cut from the city, cutting them off from the rest of the world. 

I was invested in Zora's story, how she, her students, and her neighbours kept up morale in times of such despair. The resilience of humans in times of war, despite the atrocities they witness or are victim of. 

The writing style makes it easy to read about such heavy subjects. The characters are not too complex, but also not developed enough for me to get attached to them. I almost missed one of the saddest bits of the book as it happened really fast, but also because the emotional impact wasn't as high as it could have been. Therefore I'd say my only comment on the book would be that I wanted it to be longer, to get to know the characters better and feel even more deeply for the book. 

Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to learn about the siege of Sarajevo, the Bosnian war or who look for an historical fiction book.
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