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Shooting Butterflies
By the time Grace is eighteen, she has been orphaned, moved countries and lost touch with her only brother. Talented, awkward and a little fierce, she can't help thinking that she's managed to lose anything she's ever loved. So she decides to revisit her past in America, and she's brought her camera - she's going to catch these memories.
- GenresFiction
Paperback
First published January 10, 2003
6 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Marika Cobbold
13 books37 followersI was born in Gothenburg Sweden into a family of readers and writers. My father is a newspaper editor and columnist, as is my brother. My mother, who stayed at home looking after the family, furnished the walls of every room with shelves full of books. We were a family that read and discussed and whereas there were restrictions about what we were allowed to watch on TV, and comic books were discouraged, books were a different matter; basically, the rule was that my brother and I could read whatever we could reach. (It was a happy day when, standing on a chair, I got hold of Fanny Hill.)
Ours was a liberal and tolerant household but some sins, I had imprinted on me, were beyond the pale, book burning and censorship of the written word were two of them. Hanging on his wall at his office at the newspaper my father had a quote from Voltaire. Translated from French into Swedish and then by me, into English, it went something like this: 'I may well not agree with your opinion, but I will defend to the death your right to state it.'
Growing up I was pretty well the standard embryo writer - you know the kind? Prone to daydreaming, constantly reading, feeling as if I were on the outside looking in, finding the world of books more relevant than the 'real' world I lived in.
Aged nineteen I married a British naval officer and moved to England. Before the move I had had just one year at university so, arriving here, I had no idea of what I was going to do with my life. But not for long as my son was born the following year and three years after that, my daughter. Life as a naval wife was a mix of periods of loneliness and periods of great fun and adventure. But as we settled in the Hampshire countryside, having decided that following the fleet was not so practical with two school age children, I began to think about writing. I had always been a great 'trier outer' of things, and it has to be said, also a great quitter, but almost the minute I sat down to write I felt as if I had come home. I had never kept a diary, not for longer than a week anyway (although I bought many, especially those which had a little tiny gold key) or written stories as a child- thought them up yes, but written them down no - but here I was, feeling as if I had walked straight through a doorway marked, Life's Work.
Of course, as the weeks and months became years I realised that it would be much more of a struggle to persuade the world (other than my family who were hugely supportive) that I was a writer than it had been convincing myself. But finally, when I was thirty-five, my novel Guppies For Tea, a story about growing old and fighting back, was accepted for publication. Several other publishers had turned it down saying no one was interested in reading about old people. Luckily, as it turns out, they were wrong. Even so, if it had not been for the help of my friend the writer Elizabeth Buchan, and that of Hilary Johnson of The New Writers' Scheme, whose interest in, and support of new writing went well beyond that which was purely romantic, I might never have been published. This taught me that luck and the goodwill and support of others is essential in the writing business as in so much else.
Oddly enough, instead of feeling the euphoria I had expected once my dream of being a published author had come true, I went into a kind of prolonged sulk. I spent many hours thinking up plans for how to minimise the humiliations I was sure would follow publication, including working out how many copies of my own book I could afford to buy up and stash away in the garage.
As it turned out, Guppies For Tea, was rather a lucky book. It was picked for the first W.H. Smith's Fresh Talent promotion, ensuring nationwide review coverage, massive distribution and the kind of support most new writers can only dream of. Following that the book was short-listed for The Sunday Express Book of the Year and after that it was serialised on Woman's Hour. As one a
Ours was a liberal and tolerant household but some sins, I had imprinted on me, were beyond the pale, book burning and censorship of the written word were two of them. Hanging on his wall at his office at the newspaper my father had a quote from Voltaire. Translated from French into Swedish and then by me, into English, it went something like this: 'I may well not agree with your opinion, but I will defend to the death your right to state it.'
Growing up I was pretty well the standard embryo writer - you know the kind? Prone to daydreaming, constantly reading, feeling as if I were on the outside looking in, finding the world of books more relevant than the 'real' world I lived in.
Aged nineteen I married a British naval officer and moved to England. Before the move I had had just one year at university so, arriving here, I had no idea of what I was going to do with my life. But not for long as my son was born the following year and three years after that, my daughter. Life as a naval wife was a mix of periods of loneliness and periods of great fun and adventure. But as we settled in the Hampshire countryside, having decided that following the fleet was not so practical with two school age children, I began to think about writing. I had always been a great 'trier outer' of things, and it has to be said, also a great quitter, but almost the minute I sat down to write I felt as if I had come home. I had never kept a diary, not for longer than a week anyway (although I bought many, especially those which had a little tiny gold key) or written stories as a child- thought them up yes, but written them down no - but here I was, feeling as if I had walked straight through a doorway marked, Life's Work.
Of course, as the weeks and months became years I realised that it would be much more of a struggle to persuade the world (other than my family who were hugely supportive) that I was a writer than it had been convincing myself. But finally, when I was thirty-five, my novel Guppies For Tea, a story about growing old and fighting back, was accepted for publication. Several other publishers had turned it down saying no one was interested in reading about old people. Luckily, as it turns out, they were wrong. Even so, if it had not been for the help of my friend the writer Elizabeth Buchan, and that of Hilary Johnson of The New Writers' Scheme, whose interest in, and support of new writing went well beyond that which was purely romantic, I might never have been published. This taught me that luck and the goodwill and support of others is essential in the writing business as in so much else.
Oddly enough, instead of feeling the euphoria I had expected once my dream of being a published author had come true, I went into a kind of prolonged sulk. I spent many hours thinking up plans for how to minimise the humiliations I was sure would follow publication, including working out how many copies of my own book I could afford to buy up and stash away in the garage.
As it turned out, Guppies For Tea, was rather a lucky book. It was picked for the first W.H. Smith's Fresh Talent promotion, ensuring nationwide review coverage, massive distribution and the kind of support most new writers can only dream of. Following that the book was short-listed for The Sunday Express Book of the Year and after that it was serialised on Woman's Hour. As one a
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 1, 2021
An intriguing and wistful story about lost love, and the power struggles between men and women.
This story opens with the main character - Grace - receiving an antique painting in the mail from her lover, who has been dead for two years.
Much of the story is told in retrospect. We learn that Grace grew up in a small town. As a young girl, she she is gifted with a camera on her birthday. She uses the camera to take a picture of a boy she has a crush on named Jefferson, as he smokes on a street corner.
Later she and Jefferson become teenage lovers, but it ends when his old flame Cherry returns from a summer vacation in Europe. Grace returns to England with her father and brother and live with her new step mother. She soon discovers she is pregnant, and gives up a hard-worked for Cambridge admission because of the pregnancy. She takes a job at a photography shop, only to miscarry the baby.
Later in the story, after a devastating divorce, she returns to her stepmother Evie's. In the course of investigating the painting she received in the mail, she befriends the aging mysterious Louisa.
Louisa story is also told in retrospect. We learn she lived a lonely life with her imperious selfish artist husband named Arthur. Arthur treats her like a child and prevents her from pursuing her own artistic career. He expects her to be a submitting, silent and dutiful wife.
When Louisa has an affair with her painter friend Viola, he separates her from her children and has her confined to an asylum for electroshock therapy.
I liked how Louisa and Grace's lives were compared and contrasted through the parallel stories. Although they were of different eras, both struggled against their husband's, their in-laws and society's expectations.
This story opens with the main character - Grace - receiving an antique painting in the mail from her lover, who has been dead for two years.
Much of the story is told in retrospect. We learn that Grace grew up in a small town. As a young girl, she she is gifted with a camera on her birthday. She uses the camera to take a picture of a boy she has a crush on named Jefferson, as he smokes on a street corner.
Later she and Jefferson become teenage lovers, but it ends when his old flame Cherry returns from a summer vacation in Europe. Grace returns to England with her father and brother and live with her new step mother. She soon discovers she is pregnant, and gives up a hard-worked for Cambridge admission because of the pregnancy. She takes a job at a photography shop, only to miscarry the baby.
Later in the story, after a devastating divorce, she returns to her stepmother Evie's. In the course of investigating the painting she received in the mail, she befriends the aging mysterious Louisa.
Louisa story is also told in retrospect. We learn she lived a lonely life with her imperious selfish artist husband named Arthur. Arthur treats her like a child and prevents her from pursuing her own artistic career. He expects her to be a submitting, silent and dutiful wife.
When Louisa has an affair with her painter friend Viola, he separates her from her children and has her confined to an asylum for electroshock therapy.
I liked how Louisa and Grace's lives were compared and contrasted through the parallel stories. Although they were of different eras, both struggled against their husband's, their in-laws and society's expectations.
January 1, 2013
This was a beautiful book. First off, the main character, Grace, has a supremely strong will and wit, sarcasm and there's much to be said for the staggering lack of that in most literature. Grace's life is hard - most of those she has loved in her life are gone. At one time, Grace was a photographer with extreme merit - a woman at the edge of art, where her shots of darkness and death (often at the edge of life) won her one of the premier rewards of photography - and then she simply stopped.
The strength of this story is the "why" of it. Then, a striking catalyst - a painting arrives, chosen by her lover for Grace. It arrives on her birthday, with a note. And her lover has been dead two years... who sent it? Why? Who is the artist, and why did it appear to her, after all this time.
Superb story. Fabulous characters, and a mystery twist to boot. Cobbold's ability to interweave various characters is a refreshing change, and nothing seems forced or over-the-top. Solid bit of work.
The strength of this story is the "why" of it. Then, a striking catalyst - a painting arrives, chosen by her lover for Grace. It arrives on her birthday, with a note. And her lover has been dead two years... who sent it? Why? Who is the artist, and why did it appear to her, after all this time.
Superb story. Fabulous characters, and a mystery twist to boot. Cobbold's ability to interweave various characters is a refreshing change, and nothing seems forced or over-the-top. Solid bit of work.
November 12, 2015
My favourite Marika Cobbold, yet (and I still have another on my bookshelf to read!). I loved Grace, she was real. She was petulant and angry and bold and passionate. She did the things that you secretly want to do and she did them with abandon (make that collage of photos of her family-in law-priceless!). I liked Louisa's story as well. I wanted to punch her pompous husband in his pompous face!
This book did what my favourites do. It made me feel. I was angry, I was sad. I was absolutely routing for Grace in the way I would with someone I actually knew! Loved it :)
This book did what my favourites do. It made me feel. I was angry, I was sad. I was absolutely routing for Grace in the way I would with someone I actually knew! Loved it :)
December 27, 2025
I know one has to be true to one’s vision, but I can’t help wishing sometimes that mine would be more Bacardi on the Rocks and less Hell is a Place Near You.I've long-- 30 years or so--been a fan of this writer, and I was so pleased to pick this up at a yard sale in the summer--but on this dark late December day, iced in for the day as we are at the moment, I'm putting this aside until the spring, or at least until it's sunny enough to continue reading it. It's a character study of some very sad people, or people in very sad situations, and I'm just not up to that at the moment. Giving it 4 stars and a promise to return in happier days.
March 11, 2023
There were gems of perfect descriptions and wonderful quotable sentences. I'm very glad I read to the end, because the times were numerous (despite those gems) where I was very bored. However the last 20 or so pages have made me want to read this book again, and soon. First time round I don't think I gave it the attention it deserved.
January 20, 2010
Vanessa gave me this book. I then went to visit her and spent the whole time reading this book. It was about a photographer and her coming to terms with her crazy family. The writer is Swedish and there was definitely something distinctly Scandanavian about the whole thing. I liked it a lot.
Read
February 20, 2010Ok..so I am stuck with this one...do not know why..
June 20, 2015
This book was terrible,I felt like it ramble on and on without a satisfactory ending. I ask what was the point of this novel?
January 5, 2019
I found this a surprisingly good read. Its not quite perfect, in that there were times I felt a bit confused about characters and situations but I found this to be quite a thought provoking, deep, emotional read at times. I found myself feeling quite concerned and caring for the main character, Grace, as she goes through some tough times as I say. It features a number of memorable quotes (such as "Good times were made to pass. Happiness existed to keep the pain alive.").
I liked the symbolism present and I would recommend this to others, as it is a good novel with a real feeling of substance to it (compared to what some may think of as a throwaway romance type novel).
I liked the symbolism present and I would recommend this to others, as it is a good novel with a real feeling of substance to it (compared to what some may think of as a throwaway romance type novel).
October 10, 2018
An interesting read and study of a unique woman. Not a book that I would recommend to folks in particular. I found it in a 'little library' and was intrigued enough to finish it, but that's all.
January 6, 2019
Sad, sad, sad but well worth a read if you are in the right mood.
Read
June 9, 2022I’m picking this up each time I go away and I can’t get back into it now so I’ll try again another time
July 28, 2022
Very enjoyable
Read
September 17, 2022I remember this broke my heart - like chest aching sobs. I was young though so would be curious to see how i would feel reading it now.
August 27, 2025
It was very moving and the way the story flowed was beautiful
November 22, 2009
I really enjoyed this story (as I did "Frozen Music") and the writing style. The main character, Grace Shield, is determined, prickly, passionate, complex, uncompromising, sometimes insensitive and not always lovable. It was a nice to read about a strong woman who is neither passive nor self-destructive and has a heart and actual motivations which seem real and understandable (to me anyway). I will say that the secondary storyline seemed unecessary and the ending was wrapped up a little too quickly for my taste (as it was in "Frozen Music") but I enjoyed the journey.
February 11, 2012
This is a 3.5 star. I enjoy her writing style and found the book to be melancholy, yet hope-inspiring at the same time. I did have some confusion with a few of the characters, Lillian, Jane, Lydia, Louisa....as I was not able to read this one straight through. I let it go and got the gyst overall.
November 5, 2013
Read this a number of years ago... Was particularly struck by the main character's wit, sarcasm and charm. The story takes a pretty melancholic and dark turning...I'd dare say disturbing to some extent. A tug-of-war between the pits of despair and grasping for the last shred of hope -- ended up reading it again a couple of years later and it still managed to get under my skin....
November 10, 2012
"Lots of people don't get it. I have friends who never even take a camera on holiday because they feel it comes between them and the experience. For me, it's the opposite. To me, everything is floating, unreal, until I've got my shots."
- Grace
- Grace
November 6, 2014
Enjoyed the way Shooting Butterflies was told, where chapters began with a paragraph from an article on the protagonist Grace, before expanding on the story. Just goes to show how much of what we read is an edited, incomplete picture.
February 16, 2025
This is my least favourite Marika Cobbold so far; I struggled to complete it because I didn’t actually care much about the main characters. They never really came alive for me. A big disappointment.
January 10, 2010
I read this booka few years ago - cannot remember the story anymore but remember absolutely loving it
August 18, 2012
It was a really good story.
September 13, 2014
I truly loved this book, so far my best read of the year. Powerful!
December 26, 2014
enjoyed this, the old and the new linking together. Grace and her humour, sarcasm. the underlying dual love story.
Want to read
June 27, 2015Can't forget to go back to the bookstore downtown and tell the mrs. How I liked this book!
August 12, 2016
Easy to read and well written but I struggled to pick it up every time I put it down. It was just....boring.
December 17, 2020
Naja, bisschen eigenartig
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews