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A review by cortanasreadingnook
The Butterfly Circle by Mary Carroll Leoson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thanks to Mary Leoson and BookSirens for a complimentary copy. I am so happy to be given the opportunity to provide an early review of this. This doesn’t affect my opinions in any way. This book comes out on July 18th!
“If God was a woman, maybe the world might be different.”
The year is 1948. And The Butterfly Circle follows the story of four girls: Eliza, Rosa, Bridget, and Lila Grace; all sent to Prescott House, also known as the home for unwed mothers in Cleveland, Ohio. All pregnant and in dire need of company, the four of them seek refuge with each other, sharing stories of their past lives all the while enduring the abuse and cruelty of the appointed headmistress. But as the days pass by, the girls find mysterious, dark things happening to the pregnant women and their babies. And as they try to seek the truth of what was occurring, they soon uncover hidden passageways and underground tunnels that perchance holds the truth to everything. Will they survive to find it out? Or will they perish to the shadows consuming the house?
CWs: Homophobia, Misogyny
Note: No man is the knight-in-shining armor here, women ONLY.
I LOVE WOMEN. This book was written BY a woman FOR us women. Such an exceptionally beautiful and emotional story about feminism in the 1940s. The girls had contrasting personalities yet had a wonderful dynamic together. The author has done a wonderful job getting her readers’ interest with a grappling story about queer love and sisterhood. Yes, QUEER LOVE. SAPPHICS. Not only was this book able to tackle prejudice against unwed, single mothers, but it also openly traversed through empowering women by giving them a voice to choose for themselves. The main characters here are so unapologetic and incredibly strong. Especially given that they came from different families and backgrounds, this novel discussed Catholic guilt, as well as the injustice of Christianity and Catholic beliefs on women and queer people. And as a Catholic, I am aware of the harmful impact on the church’s beliefs against women’s rights. This book exceptionally reminded me of every right we’re still fighting for as women in the 21st century.
Suffice it to say, this was open-ended, and I’d love to see where the story takes us next, since I have taken hints at where we’ll be for the sequel *wink wink*
“If God was a woman, maybe the world might be different.”
The year is 1948. And The Butterfly Circle follows the story of four girls: Eliza, Rosa, Bridget, and Lila Grace; all sent to Prescott House, also known as the home for unwed mothers in Cleveland, Ohio. All pregnant and in dire need of company, the four of them seek refuge with each other, sharing stories of their past lives all the while enduring the abuse and cruelty of the appointed headmistress. But as the days pass by, the girls find mysterious, dark things happening to the pregnant women and their babies. And as they try to seek the truth of what was occurring, they soon uncover hidden passageways and underground tunnels that perchance holds the truth to everything. Will they survive to find it out? Or will they perish to the shadows consuming the house?
CWs: Homophobia, Misogyny
Note: No man is the knight-in-shining armor here, women ONLY.
I LOVE WOMEN. This book was written BY a woman FOR us women. Such an exceptionally beautiful and emotional story about feminism in the 1940s. The girls had contrasting personalities yet had a wonderful dynamic together. The author has done a wonderful job getting her readers’ interest with a grappling story about queer love and sisterhood. Yes, QUEER LOVE. SAPPHICS. Not only was this book able to tackle prejudice against unwed, single mothers, but it also openly traversed through empowering women by giving them a voice to choose for themselves. The main characters here are so unapologetic and incredibly strong. Especially given that they came from different families and backgrounds, this novel discussed Catholic guilt, as well as the injustice of Christianity and Catholic beliefs on women and queer people. And as a Catholic, I am aware of the harmful impact on the church’s beliefs against women’s rights. This book exceptionally reminded me of every right we’re still fighting for as women in the 21st century.
Suffice it to say, this was open-ended, and I’d love to see where the story takes us next, since I have taken hints at where we’ll be for the sequel *wink wink*