Reviews

It feels odd to say that "not much happens" for a story that takes place during a war, but it focuses on the protagonist trying to carry on with her daily routine while the situation deteriorates around her. This is not a criticism but rather a compliment to the novel, as it conveyed monotony and devastation in the same breath.

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4.0

“Sometimes, just before dawn, she dreams of black butterflies, their charred wings opening and closing as they drift down in their hundreds and thousands, alighting on her cheeks, her eyes, her mouth.”

There's so much of this book I can't even put into words. But I will try my best, this might get lengthy but still be missing some things I'd love to figure out how to say.

This can truly be an eyeopener for readers who have no idea what war can cause and feel like. The author's research has been done well and everything felt very respectfully written. It's clarified in the author's note whose experiences she's learned from and adapted to this book. Partly inspired by her own family history too.

We follow the experience of an art teacher navigating the hopes and horrors of staying home during a war. There is danger around every moment and immense internal conflict on what she should be doing or feeling.

The juxtaposition of the awful experiences and what brings hope and comfort during them is thought provoking. How can the community bring so much care and hope while causing worries and danger too? How are you allowed to seek comfort when everything has been torn to shreds and you have no clue if you'll be alive the next day?

We experience the joy of community and the grief of losing them under different circumstances. The way time passes differently, you truly lose track of time under siege.

This is not an easy book to read, it can take a lot to not fall into the hopelessness of history repeating itself but instead figuring out how to take action against it. I recommend making sure you are in the right mental space to take in the beauty of the writing and dreadfulness of its themes.