Reviews

The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison

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averyiacavone's review

4.0

This whole book was so good until the so-called “twist” at the end. What the heck was that about???!!

Some books burrow into your mind, leaving you haunted and unable to move on. Dot Hutchison's The Butterfly Garden has become that book for me. This is one of my favorite reads for 2024.

This isn't your typical horror story. Yes, it's beautifully chilling, but it's also a twisted exploration of female solidarity and resilience. Imagine a macabre mashup of Pippi Longstocking's spirit trapped in a Lord of the Flies scenario, with a dash of Orphan Annie's plight and a sprinkle of Harriet the Spy's observational skills. That's Maya, our captivating protagonist, leading a band of strong women who defy the odds in "The Garden."

Hutchinson masterfully weaves a tale of capture, psychological torment, and the indomitable human spirit. While the content might be unsettling for some (be warned!), the story is undeniably gripping. Each character, introduced with perfect detail, contributes to the narrative's momentum.

The Butterfly Garden is a dark and disturbing masterpiece, a must-read for those who appreciate strong female leads and a story that lingers long after the last word.

nicolemachala's review against another edition

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dark emotional 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

5.0

taylorhathcock's review against another edition

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4.0

“Like beauty, desperation and fear were as common as breathing.”

This was a very tough read. It's really dark and the topics covered are hard to read about. I think the author does a beautiful job of showcasing the horror of it all and is very delicate in the approach. The book is being told in a retrospective type way and it makes the story really interesting as it's interspersed with the present events and the FBI interrogation that Maya is undergoing. Maya is reluctant to share her story and the detectives are suspicious of what she could be hiding, given all the horrible things she reveals to them. We learn that the Gardener kidnaps girls of a certain age and then keeps them in his Garden where he "cares" for them. I think having Maya tell the story helps to alleviate some of the ways the book could have gotten darker. She talks about the terrible things, but manages to do it in a way that while horrific doesn't leave you completely traumatized.

The whole story is devastating and emotional. I honestly had to take breaks while reading it because it was heavy. I think the author did a really great job of showcasing the different mentalities that the "butterflies" had in order to survive the horrors they encountered. We see a broad range of coping skills utilized by all the girls. I think one thing the author really focused on was the way the experience caused the girls to form a sisterhood to an extent. They looked out for one another as best they could and stepped into roles that helped to maintain their sanity as much as possible. The book provides a dark look at humanity but it also showcases the ability to survive that each of these girls had. It's not an easy read and just when you think it couldn't get darker it has a tendency to do so. However, it is a well written story and I am intrigued to read the other books in the collection.