Within two chapters, Butterfly Yellow had wrapped itself around my heart. I dived into the rest of the book, barely coming up for air as I was swept away in the current of two journeys— that of Hằng, a refugee from Vietnam determined to find her long-lost brother, and of LeeRoy, a wannabe cowboy who finds himself roped into helping her. Thanha Lai’s writing is evocative and beautiful, her characters richly imagined and complex. By the end, both Leeroy and Hằng have undergone drastic changes. Their growth resonates and leaves a joyous sense of satisfaction— like watching a butterfly emerge from a cocoon. Hằng begins intent on finding her brother, but merely locating him is not enough. The child she remembers as a cheerful five-year old is now eleven, with an American name and family— and he thinks she’s crazy. With LeeRoy’s help, she manages to stay near him, but her quest to bring him back into her family will bring her into conflict, both with those who love her and those who love her brother. In the end, Hằng must make a terrible confession, one that will change the fate of two families. Butterfly Yellow is an intense emotional odyssey, plunging us into the lives of its characters and giving us glimpse of joy, sorrow and anger. Humor also abounds throughout the tale, mostly stemming from Hằng and LeeRoy’s cultural differences. There’s even a bit of romance toward the end (honestly, though, I was wondering why it took so long for our male lead to notice Hằng. I’d fallen for her almost immediately.) Themes Hằng’s backstory is masterfully spooled out, bit by bit. As we gain a greater understanding of the horrors she’s witnessed, we also see her begin to recover from them. Hằng’s journey gives us a powerful example of recovering beauty from heartbreak, offering hope for the destitute. LeeRoy shows us Hằng’s healing from another perspective. Although he begins foolish and self-centered, a rapid humbling forces him to work with Hằng. Gradually, he replaces with grand rodeo dreams with a quiet respect that blooms into love. When Hằng must confront long-suppressed memories, LeeRoy forgets his ambitions entirely, staying by her side with deference and humility. LeeRoy’s story reminds me how to comfort the afflicted, and of my own limitations in doing so. Content A few references to LeeRoy experiencing involuntary erections at inopportune moments. Also a few uses of the word s*** in the literal sense. Conclusion If the above paragraphs aren’t clear enough, let me say this: READ IT. Butterfly Yellow ranks among an ever-growing crowd of books I anticipate returning to again and again.
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Progress on Doombear, Rough draft:10%
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"In truth, by leaving, I was seeking only one thing. A journey."
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