Reviews tagging 'Islamophobia'

Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris

18 reviews

just_sit_and_read's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

I've only just started using this app to record my reading in 2025 but wanted to add some books from the previous year as a reminder and this was my absolute favourite.  What a debut. Having attended a talk where she shared the stage with  Elif Shafak at Hay, I met the author. As a first novel,  my expectations were not particularly high but I was pleasantly surprised and sorry when I reached the end! I will probably read it again at some point.
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scops_xyz's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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gdulecki's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.5

This was a quick read, yet immensely heavy. I appreciate the story, especially that it gives life to her family’s history, but it wasn’t particularly well written. Granted, I don’t think it was poorly written either, but it didn’t really stand out to me. 
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onecraftybird's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad 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? No

4.5

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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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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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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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libby_l96's review against another edition

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

4.75

I picked up this book by recommendation, with no prior knowledge or understanding of the Bosnian war. I was immediately captivated by the narrator's voice, the vividness of the imagery and the complexity of the characters portrayed.
I feel like this book has taught me something, which is always a plus for me. There is a risk with historical fiction to go too deep into the details and lose the crux of the story, but this novel adhered to it's core message well. 
Heartbreaking, beautiful and poetic. I may have to purchase my own copy so I can read it again.
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minniepauline's review against another edition

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

4.75

I couldn’t put this novel down. Set at the beginning of the war in Sarajevo in the Spring of 1992, it’s propulsive in a way that the war feels to the characters. One day it’s unbelievable and then suddenly you’re in the midst and bombs are falling. It’s claustrophobic at times, at times hopeful. There is beauty and pathos. The novel is written in a very close third person, present-tense, and I felt as though I was in the action, experiencing everything that Zora did. Given what is going on in the world today, this feels like a necessary book.
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ludivinev's review against another edition

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

5.0

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