Butterflyโs Child by Angela Davis-Gardner – 332 pages
Book Blurb:
When three-year-old Benji is plucked from the security of his home in Nagasaki to live with his American father, Lt. Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton, and stepmother, Kate, on their farm in Illinois, the family conceals Benjiโs true identity as a child born from a liaison between an officer and a geisha, and instead tells everyone that he is an orphan.
Frank struggles to keep the farm going while coping with his guilt and longing for the deceased Butterfly. Deeply devout Kate is torn between her Christian principles and her resentment of raising another womanโs child. And Benjiโs life as an outcastโneither fully American nor fully Japaneseโforces him to forge an identity far from the life he has known.
When the truth about Benji surfaces, it will splinter this familyโs fragile dynamic, sending repercussions spiraling through their close-knit rural community and sending Benji on the journey of a lifetime from Illinois to the Japanese settlements in Denver and San Francisco, then across the ocean to Nagasaki, where he will uncover the truth about his motherโs tragic death.
My Review: 4 stars
I love when an author takes a character from a previous play, movie or book and creates his/her own spin on what happens after weโve learned about them. It opens up a lot of โwhat ifsโ for the author to explore. Davis-Gardner did this superbly when taking on the story of the ย illegitimate son of Butterfly, from the acclaimed opera, Madame Butterfly. I didnโt know the story of Madame Butterfly but it certainly didnโt hinder my judgement of this story. Iโm now anxious to see this opera and have been listening to the music on YouTube. ย This is a beautiful work of fiction. The authorโs writing style is tight, poetic and informative. With stories eventually being told from Japan as well as the states, there is much truth, pain, love and hurt mirroring each other in both the East and the West. This story ended beautifully with a not so wrapped up, yet satisfying picture of the characters and their situations.
Quotes I liked:
Books were not allowed, the doctor told Kate; reading agitated the mind.โ
– โHow can you say such a thing?โ
โItโs easy. I think, then I open my mouth and speak.โ
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Review:The Museum of Failures by Thrity Umrigar is another excellent example of creating a novel with richly layered characters while comparing Indian and American lifestyles. In this story, Remy returns to Bombay, which he has dubbed the museum of failures, as he sees his native country through the lens of his American life. Heโs there to meet his friendโs niece with the hopes of adopting her baby, as he and his wife are unable to conceive. This innocuous trip turns into a much more complex time as Remy is hit with roadblocks time and time again.Itโs the story about Remy and his mother that really got to me. He lived a life of never measuring up and feeling quite unloved by her. Through their time together in Bombay, he learns critical information that allows him to see her in a more thoughtful and understanding way. This time away has brought whatโs left of his shattered family back together.His trip extends much longer than anticipated and he realizes the value of being home. His American wife Kathy seemed too good to be true, but I did like their relationship, born of trust and equality. Remyโs life as a poet was buried away, but through his visit in India, he realizes the importance of doing work you love, not just working for a higher paycheck.Overall, this was a satisfying read and one that fans of Umrigar will appreciate. Her last book, Honor, along with The Space Between Us, are my two favorites of hers. I havenโt met an Umrigar book I didnโt enjoy!@thrity_umrigar @algonquinbooks ๐: Do you dress up for Halloween? If yes, what's your costume of choice? If not, what's a scary book you've read? ... See MoreSee Less