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book_concierge's review against another edition
2.0
Book on CD read by the author
2.5**
Luz Avila’s mother abandoned her when she was a toddler, and she’s been raised by her grandmother. Now she sets out on a road trip to take her grandmother’s ashes back to her native village in Mexico, an area near the Monarch butterfly sanctuary.
I knew this was a chick-lit, road-trip, find-yourself kind of novel going in. I was intrigued by the link to the monarch butterfly migration, and by the main character’s journey from Milwaukee (where I currently live) to San Antonio (where I grew up) and on to Mexico.
There were parts of this story which I really liked. I liked that Luz was a young woman with some uncertainty in her past and uncertainty about her future, who decided to take on this trip without help or assistance. Of course, that’s a somewhat foolish goal, and she DOES need help along the way, but she manages to usually figure out a way to keep going without relying on her boyfriend to rescue her. Brava! I also liked the various people she picks up along the way: Ofelia, Margaret, even Stacie. These characters bring a new way of thinking to Luz, and help her to eventually find her own path.
I also liked that the ending, while hopeful, was NOT just wrapped up in a pretty little happy-ever-after bow.
I was not so keen on the way that Monroe basically dropped the additional characters along the way, however. And I really disliked
In general, I would probably give this 3 stars – an enjoyable, chick-lit read. Except…
Monroe reads the audiobook herself. She clearly has the emotional connection to the book and to these characters, and that comes through on the audio. Her pacing is good, as well. However, her pronunciation of Spanish was so bad that it completely distracted me from the book. I kept yelling at the CD whenever she mispronounced “la Virgen de Guadalupe” and other key Spanish phrases. So, she gets only 1 star for her audio performance, and that brings the entire rating down.
2.5**
Luz Avila’s mother abandoned her when she was a toddler, and she’s been raised by her grandmother. Now she sets out on a road trip to take her grandmother’s ashes back to her native village in Mexico, an area near the Monarch butterfly sanctuary.
I knew this was a chick-lit, road-trip, find-yourself kind of novel going in. I was intrigued by the link to the monarch butterfly migration, and by the main character’s journey from Milwaukee (where I currently live) to San Antonio (where I grew up) and on to Mexico.
There were parts of this story which I really liked. I liked that Luz was a young woman with some uncertainty in her past and uncertainty about her future, who decided to take on this trip without help or assistance. Of course, that’s a somewhat foolish goal, and she DOES need help along the way, but she manages to usually figure out a way to keep going without relying on her boyfriend to rescue her. Brava! I also liked the various people she picks up along the way: Ofelia, Margaret, even Stacie. These characters bring a new way of thinking to Luz, and help her to eventually find her own path.
I also liked that the ending, while hopeful, was NOT just wrapped up in a pretty little happy-ever-after bow.
I was not so keen on the way that Monroe basically dropped the additional characters along the way, however. And I really disliked
Spoiler
Mariposa, Luz’s supposedly dead mother. I quickly got tired of her self-imposed guilt trip and how thoughtless she was about Luz and the ofrenda she had worked on to honor her Abuela, Mariposa’s own mother.In general, I would probably give this 3 stars – an enjoyable, chick-lit read. Except…
Monroe reads the audiobook herself. She clearly has the emotional connection to the book and to these characters, and that comes through on the audio. Her pacing is good, as well. However, her pronunciation of Spanish was so bad that it completely distracted me from the book. I kept yelling at the CD whenever she mispronounced “la Virgen de Guadalupe” and other key Spanish phrases. So, she gets only 1 star for her audio performance, and that brings the entire rating down.
jackielayla's review against another edition
5.0
Rarely do I find a book that captures my attention and heart so intensely - I couldn’t put this one down - read it in 24 hours. An incredible coming of age tale filled with adventure, friendship, love, death, family dynamics - struggles, triumphs. It so vividly brought me back to my years living in Mexico and my favorite state of Michoacán and the times I spent in Patzcuaro during the Day of the Dead festivities. I learned so much more about monarch butterflies making me appreciate even more the one tattooed on me. I look forward to reading more books by Monroe.
lifeand100books's review against another edition
4.0
I've always found it interesting how people seem to associate butterflies with death. From internet emails that are passed around regarding butterflies and tombstones, to personal accounts of how butterflies remind people of lost loved ones, butterflies seem to be an integral part of how we view death and dying. Personally, my aunt always told me that seeing a butterfly reminded her of my Uncle Joe, who passed away when I was in high school. Therefore, when I was given the opportunity by Simon and Schuster to review this book, I was immediately interested and intrigued by the plot line.
Luz Avila is a young woman with a busy life in Milwaukee. Orphaned by her mother when she was little, Luz is raised by her grandmother, who she calls Abuela. Abuela tries to persuade Luz to go with her on a trip to her home village in Mexico, where monarch butterflies migrate each year from around the world. Sadly, Aubela dies before Luz can make up her mind about the trip. Feeling depressed due to her inability to detach herself from her day-to-day life enough to make the trip before Abuela's death, Luz decides to make the trip with Abuela's ashes, driving from Milwaukee to Mexico. On the way she meets a number of interesting and inspirational women who teach her invaluable lessons about life and also about herself. To add to the adventure of the trip, Luz arrives in San Antonio, TX to find her aunt, but finds her mother instead, whom she has long thought was dead. Now, she must not only deal with the pain of the loss of her Abuela, but the confusion and emotion that comes from meeting her mother face to face for the first time in years. Will Luz be able to get the ashes to Abuela's village in time for the butterfly migration, or will the sudden shock of finding her mother alive be too much?
One of my favorite thing about this novel were the characters! Luz goes on this amazing journey for her grandmother and it winds up becoming a journey of self-discovery. She finds that she can be a strong, independent, and able-minded person; she is capable of handling herself with ease, confidence, and poise through the most difficult of situations. The women she meets along the journey each go through similar journeys themselves, whether it be finding the difficulty to leaving an abusive lover or simply following what they thought were long-lost dreams. They are inspiring individuals, each with a lesson to teach the reader.
My biggest complaint with the novel was the ending!! The last few chapters just felt rushed. I wish Monroe had given us a little more time to digest the relationship that is introduced between Luz and her mother. The speed and pace at which the relationship grew with just didn't seem realistic to me. Even after you find out the real reason that Luz's mother disappeared all those years ago, it doesn't erase all the years she's missed of Luz's life. Besides that one complaint I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It's obvious that Monroe has excellent writing skills. Her prose is weaved with interspersing beautiful imagery of the landscape that Luz is traveling through as well as the beauty of the butterfly.
Monroe finds a way to incorporate butterfly lore into the story seamlessly as well. Each chapter begins with another fact about either about butterflies in general or about their migration patterns. I found myself becoming engrossed with them, and I'm not ashamed to admit that upon completion of the book I promptly begin doing a bit of research myself.
Filled with rich characters, beautiful imagery, and a gripping storyline, The Butterfly's Daughter is one book you're going to want to add to your to-read list.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-up
Luz Avila is a young woman with a busy life in Milwaukee. Orphaned by her mother when she was little, Luz is raised by her grandmother, who she calls Abuela. Abuela tries to persuade Luz to go with her on a trip to her home village in Mexico, where monarch butterflies migrate each year from around the world. Sadly, Aubela dies before Luz can make up her mind about the trip. Feeling depressed due to her inability to detach herself from her day-to-day life enough to make the trip before Abuela's death, Luz decides to make the trip with Abuela's ashes, driving from Milwaukee to Mexico. On the way she meets a number of interesting and inspirational women who teach her invaluable lessons about life and also about herself. To add to the adventure of the trip, Luz arrives in San Antonio, TX to find her aunt, but finds her mother instead, whom she has long thought was dead. Now, she must not only deal with the pain of the loss of her Abuela, but the confusion and emotion that comes from meeting her mother face to face for the first time in years. Will Luz be able to get the ashes to Abuela's village in time for the butterfly migration, or will the sudden shock of finding her mother alive be too much?
One of my favorite thing about this novel were the characters! Luz goes on this amazing journey for her grandmother and it winds up becoming a journey of self-discovery. She finds that she can be a strong, independent, and able-minded person; she is capable of handling herself with ease, confidence, and poise through the most difficult of situations. The women she meets along the journey each go through similar journeys themselves, whether it be finding the difficulty to leaving an abusive lover or simply following what they thought were long-lost dreams. They are inspiring individuals, each with a lesson to teach the reader.
My biggest complaint with the novel was the ending!! The last few chapters just felt rushed. I wish Monroe had given us a little more time to digest the relationship that is introduced between Luz and her mother. The speed and pace at which the relationship grew with just didn't seem realistic to me. Even after you find out the real reason that Luz's mother disappeared all those years ago, it doesn't erase all the years she's missed of Luz's life. Besides that one complaint I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It's obvious that Monroe has excellent writing skills. Her prose is weaved with interspersing beautiful imagery of the landscape that Luz is traveling through as well as the beauty of the butterfly.
Monroe finds a way to incorporate butterfly lore into the story seamlessly as well. Each chapter begins with another fact about either about butterflies in general or about their migration patterns. I found myself becoming engrossed with them, and I'm not ashamed to admit that upon completion of the book I promptly begin doing a bit of research myself.
Filled with rich characters, beautiful imagery, and a gripping storyline, The Butterfly's Daughter is one book you're going to want to add to your to-read list.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-up
smderitis's review against another edition
3.0
Excellent and empowering story, but started to drag toward the end. The imagery could have been stronger in some places, which would have made the morals of the story more profound, but overall it was a good read.
wisbeth's review against another edition
4.0
I started reading this book just as the monarch butterflies were showing up in my yard. It was perfect timing to read this book. Each chapter begins with a tidbit about the monarch butterflies life and journey to their winter home in Mexico. I found it very interesting as I watched the butterflies make a quick stop in my yard on what I imagine is part of that journey.
At the same time Luz, the main character, is on a journey which coincides with the monarch butterflies journey. She is taking her grandmother's ashes to home in Mexico, which is where the butterflies are also heading. Luz meets some interesting characters along the way. Each plays a roll in Luz's growth and journey along the way as do the butterflies.
I enjoyed this book and found the journey of the butterflies and Luz beautifully written. This was my first Mary Alice Monroe novel but won't be my last. She captured my attention with her wonderful details and great characters.
At the same time Luz, the main character, is on a journey which coincides with the monarch butterflies journey. She is taking her grandmother's ashes to home in Mexico, which is where the butterflies are also heading. Luz meets some interesting characters along the way. Each plays a roll in Luz's growth and journey along the way as do the butterflies.
I enjoyed this book and found the journey of the butterflies and Luz beautifully written. This was my first Mary Alice Monroe novel but won't be my last. She captured my attention with her wonderful details and great characters.
mrspenningalovesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book - a great summer read! It’s a beautifully-written story about family, love, courage, and a pilgrimage that parallels the journey of the butterflies. It reads like a Hallmark movie with more depth and enlightened moments. I learned a lot about the monarchs and their strength in their life cycle.
“It’s the change itself— the metamorphosis— that is the true wonder... no one stops to think of how the caterpillar must shed its skin five times before it forms the chrysalis. The caterpillar doesn’t just change. It completely transforms. That’s the miracle that gives us hope.”
“All myths, and legends are nothing but stories...we take what we need from stories, to give our lives meaning. Because each of us is writing our own story.”
“Life isn’t a series of random events at all, but rather an expression of a deeper order.”
“It’s the change itself— the metamorphosis— that is the true wonder... no one stops to think of how the caterpillar must shed its skin five times before it forms the chrysalis. The caterpillar doesn’t just change. It completely transforms. That’s the miracle that gives us hope.”
“All myths, and legends are nothing but stories...we take what we need from stories, to give our lives meaning. Because each of us is writing our own story.”
“Life isn’t a series of random events at all, but rather an expression of a deeper order.”
sjchaima's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
3.25
marla0505's review against another edition
3.0
A little dry, but I liked the middle of the book particularly
maryrobinson's review against another edition
2.0
A young Mexican-American woman’s journey parallels the migration of the Monarch Butterfly to Mexico. Very interesting to learn about the amazing Monarch but the story is somewhat heavy-handed and predictable.
megs2kool's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this book very much! It really brought out many emotions in me- sadness, fear, nervousness, anger, contentment...it ran the gamut! I really liked watching the characters change and mature as the book went on. Beautifully written!