A world I would not know or recognise myself, but an insight to what other people do experience when war installs itself in their homes, villages, towns, countries and lives. Emotionally shattering as you see Zora's world ravaged and turned upside down by powers outside her control but having a very real and increasing impact on her life and those around her, and showing how when environments change unexpectedly what it can do to a person/people. Harrowing to read in most parts, but you're carried along as Zora and her small tight knit community look after one another and try and maintain their sense of community and self expression in times of hostility, uncertainty and senseless violence, as best they can. 

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TL;DR REVIEW:

Black Butterflies is a well-researched, captivating, deeply moving novel about war and art set during the siege of Sarajevo. I couldn’t put it down and ultimately loved it.

For you if: You like books that handle heavy topics with beauty and care.

FULL REVIEW:

I would probably never have read this book if it hadn’t been shortlisted for the Women’s Prize — it’s not published here in the US — but wow, am I glad I did. It was actually my pick to win among the (very strong) shortlist). What a stunner; I can’t believe it was a debut. (Pro tip: If you're in the US, you can get a paperback from Blackwells for about $15, including free shipping.)

Black Butterflies begins in the early days of what became known as the Bosnian War’s siege of Sarajevo in 1992. The main character, Zora, is a painter and art professor. She sends her husband and elderly mother to stay with their daughter in England and stays behind to work and keep watch over their apartment, thinking the conflict will be short-lived. But as weeks turn into months and phone service, food, heat, electricity, and water all become impossible to find, survival becomes a matter of both desperation and unity within the found family of neighbors.

This book isn’t very long, but it’s expertly researched (based, in part, on the lived experiences of her own family members) and deeply moving. I also found it transportive and captivating, despite the fact that it’s quite heavy. Zora’s emotions, from fear to joy, are palpable. It’s about community during crisis, small joys, the power and persistence of art, and art as an act of personal resistance. It’s also impossible to read this and not think of folks currently under siege in Ukraine — a reminder that the peace and security of our homes can vanish overnight.

Give this one a go; you won’t regret it.

This book excellently explores the war in Sarajevo. It is handled with great delicately and empathy. This story is one of dispare, hope, war, freedom, trials and overcoming them. Overall a beautiful book that reveals the harsh reality of trying to flee, not just a war zone, but your home to be reunited with your family while exploring the deep connections with the people around you, who are living through the same trauma.