The Butterfly Garden By Dot Hutchison
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- sienacarroll3
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The Butterfly Garden By Dot Hutchison
- Antares
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Review by Antares
This book consists of 274 pages and three parts. I struggle with what genre to classify this
book in. It's not a mystery, or a thriller and to be fair it's not even a police procedure. For all the things it's not, it is a beautifully written, thoughtful glimpse of several different stories surrounding the garden, told through three points in time.
The story opens with FBI Special Agent in Charge Victor Hanoverian being briefed before interviewing a victim recovered from the Butterfly garden. Quickly Agent Hanoverian realizes that Maya is not a typical victim. Unwilling to answer even the most basic questions, Maya recites her story of being kidnapped,violated, and her eventual escape. Leading the agent through events at her own pace and supplying only the information she wants known.
As the Agents listen to her account they are startled to discover that this could easily be one of the few times in their careers where a victim's account is so much worse than they could ever imagine.
What do you do when you have been denied control of the food you eat? Where you sleep? How you dress? What is done with your body? This novel ask all of those questions. The illusion of control is the overwhelming theme. From the gardener try to control every aspect of the perfect creatures he has captured. To the different approaches each character in this ensemble piece has of taking control over something, anything in their lives.
Ms. Hutchinson intertwines the story between the 'before', 'during', and present times with skill and ease. Bringing her ensemble to life. Each character rich in their own dialog and tempo. The reader is dragged through this haunting story unsure if they should be rooting for death, escape, or if it even matters.This story ends in glass and resin preserved in time. No concrete conclusions. Only questions that the reader is left to ponder.
Overall I can't say that I enjoyed the book. I am not sure that you are supposed to. I did find it fascinating. I can highly recommend this book to the people who read and loved the virgin suicides. I do not however, believe this is a book that general audiences would respond to well. It is very graphic in nature and upsetting.
TL; DR REVIEW
Belonging to the same genre as The virgin suicides, White Oleander, and Paint it black, The butterfly garden is a cynical, harsh look at the different ways people choose to control what they can. The book follows the story of several young women who are kidnapped, raped, tortured, and held captive against their will and their eventual escape.
- Anicorvo23
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I also noticed that you said recovered and not rescued? Was that intentional because, when I read that I was like woa, yeah totally not sure that rescued was appropriate.
Oh and also what did you think about the roommate baby mama character? Did that completely turn off the ending for you?
- Antares
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I will admit that I was also tricked by the blurb on the back cover. So don't feel to bad.Anicorvo23 wrote: The back of the book sounded so interesting. I thought that it was going to be a police drama.
I'm sorry that the book made you violently I'll. I will admit that I found some of the content to be unsettling as well.
Yes, that was actually very intentional. I felt like the characters were... Incredibly damaged by their experiences. Rescue to me implies that in some way they will be okay. The word suggests that it's all fixed and wrapped up neatly.I also noticed that you said recovered and not rescued? Was that intentional
I do know what you are referring to; however I don't want to comment on that to deeply. I will say, I felt ambivalent about it.Did that completely turn off the ending for you?
- Anicorvo23
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I like your thoughts on rescued vs recovered. That makes a lot of sense. I'm surprised more more people haven't commented on your review. You make really good arguments. So if I review this book, would I just post it here or?
- gali
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Yes, you should add your review to this thread.Anicorvo23 wrote:I like that you compared it to the Virgin Suicides. When describing it I brought up Flowers in the Attic.
I like your thoughts on rescued vs recovered. That makes a lot of sense. I'm surprised more more people haven't commented on your review. You make really good arguments. So if I review this book, would I just post it here or?
Pronouns: She/Her
"In the case of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you." (Mortimer J. Adler)
- Antares
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Flowers in the attic was also disturbing. I understand why you would use that.
- PatAM
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- Antares
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Have you read the book or just the discussion?
Pat am-
You loved the book? Can you tell me a little bit about why? I enjoyed it as well am I am elated to be able to discuss it.
- PatAM
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This author did a great job of developing characters, laying a foundation for the story and following through on it. There's a precise beginning, middle and end to both books. I loved the characters and almost felt sorry for the villians. It's great story telling.
I'm currently trying to read Bone Music. I'm REALLY trying because I try to finish every book I start. In my opinion the book lacks a lot of what I liked about The Butterfly Garden. It's all over the place and doesn't seem to have structure. I can't care about anyone in it good or bad and I'm halfway through it. I can't even say I know the main character yet. That's really had in my opinion. I'll be interested in other opinions about it.
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- PatAM
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