Reviews

Butterfly by Sonya Hartnett

sarahthereadingaddict's review against another edition

5.0

This is a really interesting book. I listened to this on Borrow box and the Narrater was good too.

Good story full of teenage trials and tribulations which are very relatable.

The relationship with the neighbour is odd but you soon find out why.

Good combination of family drama and teenage angst.

jackiehorne's review against another edition

4.0

A Hartnett book that ends with a slight ray of hope at the end -- a welcome surprise. Harnett is just so skilled at depicting sad people, people who are so much more than the words they speak can communicate...

minas_elessar's review against another edition

3.0

I would really give it about a 2 for how much I liked it but the writing was good so I kinda see why the author has won awards... But this book was too dang sad. And I hated the main character. Even when I was 13/14 I wasn't THAT whiny, petulant or self centered, and I'm also the baby of my family. She was totally annoying and stupid. I did sort of like her brothers, at least Cydar (which constantly made me think of a tree). I got zero feel good vibes from this book. Don't read if you're not looking for frustration.

thestoryowl's review against another edition

4.0

It made me sad, this story about these people. Made me feel inconsequential in a flawed world. I don't know of I would recommend this to a young adult or not. It felt more suited to adults.

chlosophis's review against another edition

2.0

I really don't understand why out of all of Sonya Harnett's work, this one was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin? I much preferred the more sinister undertones of taboo topics in Sleeping Dogs. I'm really not interested in a fat girl who doesn't believe in God. The book has some good qualities. I was more interested in Maureen as a character than whiney Plum-bum (as I've come to call her). It also draws on interesting notions of Suburbia, alienation, and space. But it's all been done before.

disgraceful24's review against another edition

2.0

Confusing tbh idk why my teacher gave it to me

kricketa's review against another edition

3.0

ariella "plum" coyle is about to turn 14 and change her life. she wants a different body, more respect from her friends, and to be more important and beautiful. when she is befriended by the beautiful stay-at-home mother next door, she believes all these things to be in reach. but the neighbor has her own reasons for taking an interest in plum.

this book is beautifully written...but i just don't think it's a teen book. a good portion of the story focuses on plum's older brother's ill-fated love affair, which is pretty heavy stuff. i think teens would probably relate to the trouble plum has with her group of girlfriends, but it's all so hopeless and miserable i think adults looking back on their own young years would appreciate it more. finally, one thing i've always liked about teen books is that they usually end with a ray of hope, and i did not feel that was the case with "butterfly."

in short...i wouldn't really recommend this to teens unless they specifically ask for a super heartbreaking book with really lovely, well-crafted sentences and some australian slang they might not understand. (?)

lolabella's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

madhattress's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

el_36's review against another edition

reflective sad medium-paced

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

2.0