Reviews

Scream of the Butterfly by Christophe Maso

kateofmind's review against another edition

Narrators drove me nuts. Way overdoing the folksy Texas twang, plus treating it more like an audio drama than a book. I might try again with a text copy someday, I dunno. 

sday157's review

5.0

Interesting

I went in totally blind. No reviews or anything. The writing was good! Great short story! Not what I expected.

loogenhausen's review

5.0

The sense of love, longing, and loss in this book is palpable and gut-punchy. I was completely along for the ride with this tale of a lovelorn sociopath and the metaphysical ramifications of his cosmic misdeeds. There's a genuinely great love story at the center of this dark and violent horror story and it will linger with you long after the last page leaves your eyesight.

pbanditp's review

5.0

“That was my understanding of love, rendered down to the bones. A kind of abstract graciousness, disguised as a gift, always accompanied by a bill.”
Here I was, minding my own business, reading this nice, well told, narcissistic, sociopathic story when all fucking hell breaks loose and everything I thought I knew went to shit!
It was a good intriguing story, some nice thought provoking quotes, then, Christophe turned up the story to a whole new level.
I had so many “what the actual fuck” moments in the second half of this book and I absolutely LOVED it. I think I read the last half with my mouth totally agape.
Everyone, go get this book so we can chat.

johnlynchbooks's review

4.0

This one is short, and not wanting to spoil anything, this review will be brief as well. This is a well written, nasty little book. It’s not incredibly graphic, but it touches on some shitty people and shitty situations while being well written, and not simple explanation of of the harsh subjects. This one is one hell of a read, and I highly recommend it.

stefanie_duncan's review

5.0

INCREDIBLE BOOK!

I read this book in one sitting. While reading I went through several emotions, from surprise to open-mouth, to gasps, and reeling desperation. It is beautiful, haunting and powerful written.

James is a sociopath and moves around quite successful in the world. He doesn't understand love or empathy. Until he meets Morgan. Morgan changes everything, she changes how he feels. He even discovers empathy and deep love. But all good things must come to an end, right? Just when you are cuddled in a warm blanket, someone rips it from you and you are suddenly cold. Very cold. This is what happens to James and Morgen. And James learns what love can really do to a person.

This story will hurt you, crawl under your skin and stay there.

indiebookaddict's review

5.0

James is an expert at playing with people’s emotions and minds. Throughout high school this is what he did until he met Morgan. Had he really changed?

I felt as though I was being toyed with as well. Is James trying to be different because of the feelings he has for Morgan or is it all an act? He’s shared many times about perfecting his playing and how everyone loved him. So, you always have a bit of doubt in your head, but you want to believe him.

James was a beautifully written character. His story pulls you in immediately. His thoughts and interactions with people in school was remarkably interesting and deep. I instantly thought he’s the magic man. He can play these other characters and they have no idea. He could help them or destroy them and it’s like they would love him anyway. As the reader you love him. You hate him. You feel for him. You question him and the cycle repeats until the last page.

Maso did a fabulous job with this book. It’s haunting, sad, beautiful, and terrifying all at once. So many emotions and twists that blend for a thrilling read. Stunning work!

I could feel her suffering, feel it inside me. It felt like a giant, skeletal claw gripping my insides.

karlakayjenniges's review

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

5.0

“When something remains that can’t die, but can’t live either. And so, it lingers between life and death, in profane twilight. Whether it stays put or gets back up and starts to move around again, it has become a blasphemy, a mockery of its former glory.”

“But enough metaphor. I’m here to tell you the story of something real. The story of Morgan Shea, the girl I loved, and what our love ultimately became. What I became.”

James is the most loved student at Cabotsville High. He is also the smartest. Whether it be grades or social influences. He does what he can to establish a rapport by helping everyone he can in any way that he can, albeit some of those ways are shady and underhanded. He is able to provide what is needed where and when it is needed most. He does not think about or care about consequences that occur, that is, until he meets Morgan Shea, the girl he falls in love with. He changes his ways and tries to be a better person. When he begins to doubt their relationship and learns there are much darker beings in this world than he is, it destroys him and he sets out to do even more despicable acts; his ultimate revenge. The consequences that occur changes his whole entire world and his existence. 

James is a character you want to care for but in reality he is a sociopath that does so many horrible things to anyone who gets in his way. Then there is his nature of how loving he can be and when his heart is broken, it is impossible not to feel his pain and regrets. 

Morgan is a sweet girl, but she is harboring her own dark secrets, her pain and her suffering. This is a girl that you just want to fold into your arms, to love and protect from the horrors she has had to endure. It is impossible not to feel her pain. 

This is not a happy story. It is suffering, pain, and darkness. Insanity and selfish desires.

Beautiful written narrative that destroys the heart. Powerfully evocative and atmospheric.