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A review by abundance_of_fiction
Where Butterflies Wander by Suzanne Redfearn, Suzanne Redfearn
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
2.75 ⭐️ rounding to 3 for Good reads.
This book has an intriguing premise, exploring the themes of grief and classism through two different groups.
On one side, you have the tormented family of Marie, Leo, Brendon, Penelope, and Hannah. The family recently lost their daughter/sister/twin Phoebe to an accident, and have relocated to Marie’s family’s home in the country to cope with the loss. There are A LOT of alternating POVs that simultaneously give you insight to the characters but also feel a bit messy.
On the other hand, we have Davina aka “the river witch”, who is actually a veteran and mother of a lost daughter? Davina was endearing in her wisdom but towards the end, her storyline seems more befitting a totally different book than the themes we have seen.
The book had a lot of interesting plot moments, but ultimately Marie seems more like a villain than an angry and grieving mother. It was almost like two separate stories were merged together, and neither had any real resolution. There is no real resolution to the grief of the family, Davina is just abused, and POOR BINGO THE DOG! Overall, I didn’t hate if but there wasn’t enough of a resolution for me to feel content with the ending.
This book has an intriguing premise, exploring the themes of grief and classism through two different groups.
On one side, you have the tormented family of Marie, Leo, Brendon, Penelope, and Hannah. The family recently lost their daughter/sister/twin Phoebe to an accident, and have relocated to Marie’s family’s home in the country to cope with the loss. There are A LOT of alternating POVs that simultaneously give you insight to the characters but also feel a bit messy.
On the other hand, we have Davina aka “the river witch”, who is actually a veteran and mother of a lost daughter? Davina was endearing in her wisdom but towards the end, her storyline seems more befitting a totally different book than the themes we have seen.
The book had a lot of interesting plot moments, but ultimately Marie seems more like a villain than an angry and grieving mother. It was almost like two separate stories were merged together, and neither had any real resolution. There is no real resolution to the grief of the family, Davina is just abused, and POOR BINGO THE DOG! Overall, I didn’t hate if but there wasn’t enough of a resolution for me to feel content with the ending.