Bottled Butterfly

by Penny Lauer (contributor)

"This gift of life is precious, and I chose early on not to be meek about living it, but to grab hold of all it offers up to me with joy and passion. I hope that at the end of my story you will understand. I want so much to be understood." NELLIE Bottled Butterfly explores the themes of family dynamics, social and religious culture, and significant life events that influence the intellectual and emotional development of children. Through young Nellie, it tackles the impact of geographical cultural beliefs, poverty, illiteracy, and the dysfunctions of family life on children and how those issues influence our behavior in adulthood. Set in the 1930's and 1940's in rural Ohio, this classic story clearly depicts the issues that confronted young women back then, and how they remain much the same in the twenty-first century. Nellie is a courageous young woman with deep inner strength, a big heart, and an insatiable longing to be something more than others envision for her. There is within her an unrest, a need to do something important with her life, and the gift of imagination that others around her do not have. There is a life tucked inside her mind that no one else can see, and it is her aspirations for her own daughter that push her into making that life a reality. "Bottled Butterfly will make you laugh and make you cry. Above all, it makes you think. You will gasp at the sheer beauty of the language and the wisdom offered by the author through her precious heroine Nellie. And for seniors who survived the Depression, this lovely book will bring back a flood of cherished memories." Brian McFarlane Author of 65 Books, Broadcaster and Member of the Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame "Thisbeautifully narrated novel tells the tale of a girl, born and bred in the Midwest, who faces her future with a sensitiveness and creativity reminiscent of Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird." Mary Linn Roby Author of 52 Books, including The Tower Room and The Herrick Inheritance

240 pages, Hardcover

First published May 9, 2007

About the author

I am a wife, a mother, a grammy, a sister, aunt, friend, advocate, and at long last, a writer. I am the author of Bottled Butterfly and Skipping Stones In my former life, I was also a high school English teacher, a sales and marketing trainer, a Pan Am flight attendant, and a fundraiser for various arts and community organizations.

My greatest sources of strength and creativity are nature and children. Put me outside anywhere, and I am uplifted; give me opportunities to witness the resiliency, simplicity, openness, and the ability to forgive that young children have, and I am renewed.

It has been, and continues to be, an incredible journey. I knew that I loved to write, but I had no idea how much I would enjoy talking about writing and the issues I tackle. And so I am a writer and a motivational speaker. The best thing about both – outside of being able to “speak my mind” on paper and in front of small or large groups – is meeting so many wonderful people in towns and cities clear across the country who have read my books and been touched by them. I’ve learned that we are all, regardless of cultural or geographical backgrounds, very much the same, with similar heartaches, goals, dreams, loves, disappointments, ambitions, frailties – all those things that I want to continue to write about.

I do a lot to keep myself entertained and involved, but none of what I do fulfills me like writing does.

And here I am.

Reviews

[Natalie Kaufman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written story about a mighty girl. Made me want to cry.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bottled Butterfly

I thought it was a wonderful story. I felt for all the characters in the book. I recommend the book. Good author Penny Lauer. I will for some more books of hers.