What do you think?
Rate this book
The Man with the Butterfly Mind
What happens when the only living soul who knows you are missing is your dog.
JD has lost his name, his memories, and the everyday skills we all take for granted. But it’s sort-of OK, because he can’t remember what his life should be like.
Bimba has lost her owner. It’s all her fault, and she's determined to find him, give him love-you-licks, and make-it-better.
When Meko finds an adorable furry bundle of dog is the reason she can’t open the door at work, she doesn’t hesitate to help.
When DrGreg finds a captivating Japanese woman with an unresponsive dog are his next patients, he doesn’t hesitate to help.
When MrsB momentarily loses her self-doubt and her phantom allergies, she finds a tentative willingness to help.
As the strangers’ lives and destinies converge around Bimba, none of them expect what happens next.
An inspiring story of loss and grieving, redemption and overcoming adversity, where what we get isn’t what we thought we wanted, and often happiness is disguised, waiting for us to catch on or catch up. A story with heart and humour, as uplifting as it is captivating.
JD has lost his name, his memories, and the everyday skills we all take for granted. But it’s sort-of OK, because he can’t remember what his life should be like.
Bimba has lost her owner. It’s all her fault, and she's determined to find him, give him love-you-licks, and make-it-better.
When Meko finds an adorable furry bundle of dog is the reason she can’t open the door at work, she doesn’t hesitate to help.
When DrGreg finds a captivating Japanese woman with an unresponsive dog are his next patients, he doesn’t hesitate to help.
When MrsB momentarily loses her self-doubt and her phantom allergies, she finds a tentative willingness to help.
As the strangers’ lives and destinies converge around Bimba, none of them expect what happens next.
An inspiring story of loss and grieving, redemption and overcoming adversity, where what we get isn’t what we thought we wanted, and often happiness is disguised, waiting for us to catch on or catch up. A story with heart and humour, as uplifting as it is captivating.
327 pages, Paperback
Published December 4, 2023
4 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 21, 2024
Where is Ash? The question sought over and over. The story takes you on a journey, a bumpy, unpredictable, satisfying journey.
I was drawn in right from the beginning because .. well.. it was a story involving a dog. Bimba will pull at your heart strings as you follow along the story of people a bit lost, grieving, disillusioned, unsure of navigating the daily waters and just needing some acts of kindness and friendship. Bimba just wants to find Ash, how do you tell a dog it may not happen? Well if you are Bimba, you don’t believe it. The characters are relatable, engaging, and warm. Even if you found a character’s personality a bit unsettling, you could still understand why.(like Susan’s sister)
I truly loved Mrs B, and Meko and even little Lola. I love how the author made the dogs so relatable, you found yourself nodding along with how funny their reactions and conversations were. Foley has done a great job getting you invested in the end results of how the story will turn out. The end may surprise you, and while you are cheering the characters on, you will cry as they reveal their stories of tragedies befallen on their lives. Sometimes in life, tragedy draws you together. Curl up and delve into this wonderfully unique story, it will not disappoint.
I was drawn in right from the beginning because .. well.. it was a story involving a dog. Bimba will pull at your heart strings as you follow along the story of people a bit lost, grieving, disillusioned, unsure of navigating the daily waters and just needing some acts of kindness and friendship. Bimba just wants to find Ash, how do you tell a dog it may not happen? Well if you are Bimba, you don’t believe it. The characters are relatable, engaging, and warm. Even if you found a character’s personality a bit unsettling, you could still understand why.(like Susan’s sister)
I truly loved Mrs B, and Meko and even little Lola. I love how the author made the dogs so relatable, you found yourself nodding along with how funny their reactions and conversations were. Foley has done a great job getting you invested in the end results of how the story will turn out. The end may surprise you, and while you are cheering the characters on, you will cry as they reveal their stories of tragedies befallen on their lives. Sometimes in life, tragedy draws you together. Curl up and delve into this wonderfully unique story, it will not disappoint.
January 30, 2024
Where is Ash? He never came home, and only Bimba knows he’s missing. She doesn’t know what happened, but she has to find him. Yet how is a small dog with no bark going to tell anyone he’s gone?
This is a delightful story, told from several different points of view, including that of Bimba—a small, golden-haired terrier who is devoted to her “hoomans.” In each chapter, we see unfolding events through the eyes of Bimba, JD, Mrs. B, or Meko, and can better understand their perspectives.
Each character struggles with their own internal challenges, growing and changing as their stories intertwine. The common thread throughout is Bimba, with her near-tragedy, her dogged determination to heal, her adorable personality, and her resolve to find Ash. She never gives up, even though she grows to love the other hoomans who come to be part of her life. The adorable little terrier seems to sprinkle positive change on those around her, bringing people together in ways they would never have expected.
With Foley’s simple yet stirring writing style and the story’s timeless messages, The Man With the Butterfly Mind could be easily enjoyed by younger readers or adults of all ages. An emotional tale, deeply meaningful and light in turns, its characters grabbed me from the start and carried me through their ups and downs. In the end, this heartfelt story left me feeling warm and hopeful. Definitely a good, upbeat, and encouraging read.
This is a delightful story, told from several different points of view, including that of Bimba—a small, golden-haired terrier who is devoted to her “hoomans.” In each chapter, we see unfolding events through the eyes of Bimba, JD, Mrs. B, or Meko, and can better understand their perspectives.
Each character struggles with their own internal challenges, growing and changing as their stories intertwine. The common thread throughout is Bimba, with her near-tragedy, her dogged determination to heal, her adorable personality, and her resolve to find Ash. She never gives up, even though she grows to love the other hoomans who come to be part of her life. The adorable little terrier seems to sprinkle positive change on those around her, bringing people together in ways they would never have expected.
With Foley’s simple yet stirring writing style and the story’s timeless messages, The Man With the Butterfly Mind could be easily enjoyed by younger readers or adults of all ages. An emotional tale, deeply meaningful and light in turns, its characters grabbed me from the start and carried me through their ups and downs. In the end, this heartfelt story left me feeling warm and hopeful. Definitely a good, upbeat, and encouraging read.
February 6, 2024
I confess I’m not a dog lover (more a cat person!), and that’s probably why I found the first chapter (voiced by Bimba, our heroine dog) rather uninviting. But perseverance pays off, and the book flowers into an enjoyable, if frequently predictable, tale of affection between humans and dogs and other humans and – well, how perseverance pays off! There are gentle insights into overcoming inexplicable memory loss, and it’s all set in a world we all dream of where everyone is good to each other and lives happily ever after. You don't have to be a cynophile, but it may help. Cosy up, and enjoy.
January 28, 2024
Once I started reading I couldn’t put it down,
loved the story and the way the characters came together. Thank you Fabian for a wonderful read. Jessie Collier.
loved the story and the way the characters came together. Thank you Fabian for a wonderful read. Jessie Collier.
January 15, 2024
If you're an animal lover this one is for you.
A very fun and catching story. I immediately loved Bimba, this dog was so cute and quirky you cant help but fall in love. I loved the whole concept of this story. It's a book to read if you need a little pick me up because I put this book down and I was smiling. Such an easy and quick read that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy on the inside.
Well written and the perfect length this story flowed so well, I found myself sucked in from the start and unable to put it down. I would definitely go into this blind and just go along for the ride.
A very fun and catching story. I immediately loved Bimba, this dog was so cute and quirky you cant help but fall in love. I loved the whole concept of this story. It's a book to read if you need a little pick me up because I put this book down and I was smiling. Such an easy and quick read that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy on the inside.
Well written and the perfect length this story flowed so well, I found myself sucked in from the start and unable to put it down. I would definitely go into this blind and just go along for the ride.
December 31, 2023
An emotional stirring book, I sometimes needed tissues! It was delicately constructed and the diverse characters pull you into their unfolding story with their own words. Little Bimba melts your heart!
You can't help sit on some thought provoking lessons and a-ha moments throughout and learn from some too!
A lovely story that makes you think and feel deeply but also feels light and fun too. I definitely recommend and look forward to another one of Foley's books.
You can't help sit on some thought provoking lessons and a-ha moments throughout and learn from some too!
A lovely story that makes you think and feel deeply but also feels light and fun too. I definitely recommend and look forward to another one of Foley's books.
April 14, 2024
3.3 ⭐️
”Whoever lived there didn’t leave. They just never came home”
What happened to Ash, Bimba’s owner? That’s the big question in The Man with the Butterfly Mind. House cleaner, Meko, enters a home and finds a little, golden dog close to death. Meko befriends the vet who cares for Bimba, who is determined to find out who abandoned her and bring the person to justice. In a parallel storyline JD (John Doe) is navigating the world with amnesia. The two storylines eventually converge in this entertaining read.
I enjoyed the story itself. It was compelling enough that it kept me wanting to know more. By about 50 pages in I was invested in the story and needed to know how it ended. The theme of loss runs throughout, in both obvious and subtle ways. I loved JD's character development.
The story is partly told in first person by Bimba herself. These weren’t my favorite chapters due to the stilted language. I get why he did it that way (English isn’t a dog’s first language), and Bimba’s POV was important to the story so it had to be included, I just didn’t really care for that.
The author had a habit of having the characters bring up things in conversation that hadn’t been introduced in the story yet. The first time this happened I spend way too much time looking back in the book to find what I assumed I’d missed. I eventually realized this was just a convention the author was using for some reason but I wasn’t a fan.
Overall, I liked this book and would probably recommend it.
Thanks to LibraryThing for the free book to review.
”Whoever lived there didn’t leave. They just never came home”
What happened to Ash, Bimba’s owner? That’s the big question in The Man with the Butterfly Mind. House cleaner, Meko, enters a home and finds a little, golden dog close to death. Meko befriends the vet who cares for Bimba, who is determined to find out who abandoned her and bring the person to justice. In a parallel storyline JD (John Doe) is navigating the world with amnesia. The two storylines eventually converge in this entertaining read.
I enjoyed the story itself. It was compelling enough that it kept me wanting to know more. By about 50 pages in I was invested in the story and needed to know how it ended. The theme of loss runs throughout, in both obvious and subtle ways. I loved JD's character development.
The story is partly told in first person by Bimba herself. These weren’t my favorite chapters due to the stilted language. I get why he did it that way (English isn’t a dog’s first language), and Bimba’s POV was important to the story so it had to be included, I just didn’t really care for that.
The author had a habit of having the characters bring up things in conversation that hadn’t been introduced in the story yet. The first time this happened I spend way too much time looking back in the book to find what I assumed I’d missed. I eventually realized this was just a convention the author was using for some reason but I wasn’t a fan.
Overall, I liked this book and would probably recommend it.
Thanks to LibraryThing for the free book to review.
January 1, 2024
I read an advance copy and loved it. I'm an animal lover and felt an immediate connection to Bimba. I intuitively felt the way she reasoned and communicated was just right for a dog.
The story and the other characters kept me engaged, entertained, smiling and sometimes sad (and pretending not to be teary at all - because blokes don't cry do they?). It was easy to read and flowed which is important to me. I enjoyed the way everyone's story was interwoven, how what they didn't say made me want to nudge them, how unexpected but not unrealistic events propelled them towards a fitting finale. Complex yet also simple and a really enjoyable read. Recommended, especially if you love dogs.
The story and the other characters kept me engaged, entertained, smiling and sometimes sad (and pretending not to be teary at all - because blokes don't cry do they?). It was easy to read and flowed which is important to me. I enjoyed the way everyone's story was interwoven, how what they didn't say made me want to nudge them, how unexpected but not unrealistic events propelled them towards a fitting finale. Complex yet also simple and a really enjoyable read. Recommended, especially if you love dogs.
November 15, 2024
But that makes a book incredible right? Each character is rich and poignant and not one if dialogue is wasted as we travel to the vet and back.
1. We don’t deserve the love of dogs
2. To need a help is not a flaw.
3. Dogs might be angles but we’re only human
Brilliant writing.
1. We don’t deserve the love of dogs
2. To need a help is not a flaw.
3. Dogs might be angles but we’re only human
Brilliant writing.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews