Reviews with content warning for Death - Black Butterflies

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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frietje9's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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viktoriakffnk's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring reflective sad 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

Best book I have read in a long while. Absolutly heartbreaking

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sidekicksam's review

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fast-paced

3.75

The story follows Zora, a middle-aged painter who remains in Sarajevo after sending her elderly mother and husband away to stay with their daughter in England at the start of the war in Bosnia, believing it to be a temporary unrest. She remains in their apartment, forming a close community with her neighbours, watching the start of the war from up close.

Things gradually get worse. From being denied access to her studio at the university she works at, to electricity and water being cut from the city, cutting them off from the rest of the world.

I was invested in Zora's story, how she, her students, and her neighbours kept up morale in times of such despair. The resilience of humans in times of war, despite the atrocities they witness or are victim of.

The writing style makes it easy to read about such heavy subjects. The characters are not too complex, but also not developed enough for me to get attached to them. I almost missed one of the saddest bits of the book as it happened really fast, but also because the emotional impact wasn't as high as it could have been. Therefore I'd say my only comment on the book would be that I wanted it to be longer, to get to know the characters better and feel even more deeply for the book.

Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to learn about the siege of Sarajevo, the Bosnian war or who look for an historical fiction book.

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indiahollym's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative inspiring medium-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

4.5

Despite some of this being pretty harrowing and it taking me a while to get into it, I really enjoyed reading this one. With Ukraine and Palestine/Israel on my mind some of the imagery was pretty intense but ultimately provided big empathy juice. Very moving, heartbreaking and visceral - but easy n accessible writing.

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wynnebirchmaple's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Sarajevo during the 1990s. A harmonious society becomes a partitioned war-torn ruin. There is genocide, nationalism and failed aid supports. This work centers around an artist’s response to remaining when she has sent her family onward and becomes trapped in the country she has always loved. The narrative is told beautifully and for this reader is not trauma porn. It’s a necessary story to tell and as all witness the world’s stage and fights for power and resources, a cautionary tale as well.

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