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Black Butterflies cover art

Black Butterflies

By: Priscilla Morris
Narrated by: Rachel Atkins
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Summary

SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2023

SHORTLISTED FOR THE RSL ONDAATJE PRIZE 2023

SHORTLISTED FOR THE AUTHORS’ CLUB BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD 2023

‘A moving, compelling, deeply human novel about love, hope and resilience in a city under siege. Everyone should read it’ Emma Stonex, bestselling author of The Lamplighters

Sarajevo, spring 1992. Each night, nationalist gangs erect barricades, splitting the diverse city into ethnic enclaves; each morning, the residents – whether Muslim, Croat or Serb – push the makeshift barriers aside.

When violence finally spills over, Zora, an artist and teacher, sends her husband and elderly mother to safety with her daughter in England. Reluctant to believe that hostilities will last more than a handful of weeks, she stays behind while the city falls under siege. As the assault deepens and everything they love is laid to waste, black ashes floating over the rooftops, Zora and her friends are forced to rebuild themselves, over and over. Theirs is a breathtaking story of disintegration, resilience and hope.

©2023 Priscilla Morris (P)2023 W.F.Howes Ltd

What listeners say about Black Butterflies

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Beautiful and so human

Brutally beautiful story about war, art and storytelling, and the mindlessness and importance of it all. The main characters are real people to me now.

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1 person found this helpful

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Loved this

This great performance and writing captured perfectly the desent of everyday life into one of hopelessness through war.

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Poignant and Sad

Poignant read as history repeats itself a decade later across the world. A love story, a story of war, of fighting for life, normality… very good.

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Astonishingly, heartbreakingly good.

This book is one of those that will shape readers' understandings of war. Beautifully depicting an older woman as a complex, interesting artist with a deep love for her home of Sarajevo, working out how to survive a devastating, inexplicable siege. Read it, you won't regret it.

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Deeply moving and compelling

Very well written and flawlessly performed by Rachel Atkins. It brings vividly to life the human stories of people enduring the hardest of situations. It resonates long after the books final moments.

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Haunting

A haunting & heartbreaking story of the horror and brutality of war, alongside the comfort and strength brought about by the relationships forged in the war torn city of Sarajevo.
An intense and moving read, highly recommended and enhanced by the wonderful narration.

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Fantastic new author

Morris tells the story of the city of Sarajevo seized in the war.

The shock as the war spreads, impact and aftermath beautifully told.

It’s a wonderful debut novel from a talented new author.

Highly recommended!

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Compelling

Excellent story that builds and builds. Full picture of humanity at it's best in a desperate situation. Stunning performance by the reader

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Deeply affecting, beautifully written & performed

In Zora's story, Priscilla Morris presents a deeply personal account of the indiscriminate brutality of war eroding life to its barest essentials....yet hope remains in the spaces between. The performance brings the text to life wonderfully and adds to the reality of the characters. A wonderful, haunting and important story, especially relevant at this time of another war in Eastern Europe. A genuine must read!

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Bridges

Excellent narration and an enjoyable if traumatic listen. I remember this war and this shows the importance of historical fiction

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