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Butterflies
Katherine was severly burnt in an accident when she was two years old. Now 17, she lives with her mother and 22-year-old sister. Their father left the family when they were very young. This is a moving and well-written tale of emotional and physical damage and Katherine's need to overcome her fears.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 24, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
February 5, 2017
I'm in the minority with my opinion of this book, but I just couldn't get into the writing. I really support the message and the plot, but I just couldn't look past the way the story was told.
August 6, 2009
Butterflies tells the story of Katherine, a seventeen-year-old Italian-Australian girl who is still disfigured after falling into a fire pit when she was three years old.
Butterflies is told through a combination of Katherine’s tumultuous and sometimes disconnected thoughts, recollections of events in the past – how she was burnt, time in hospitals – and Katherine’s present life. I thought this was a really beautiful novel; written prettily but simply, and I found Katherine to be a layered and interesting character – not just a burns victim, but also a teenage girl, an Italian-Australian, who fiercely refuses to be called ‘disabled’. The other characters were kind to her but they still fought – her mother, older sister Rachel, friend Jessie – and Katherine also struggled within herself, making for an often sad, but ultimately heart-warming, novel.
There were only a couple of things that threw me off – firstly, Katherine was really quite stubborn. It took me a while to warm to her, but her struggles with her burns and operations, and poor self-image made her occasional sharpness understandable, and by the time the novel ended, I was really happy for the way things worked out for her. Secondly, I really felt it should have been in first person – the way the novel jumps between her inner dialogue and third person descriptions of her day to day life distracted me, and I wish the novel had have stayed in Katherine’s head the whole way through.
Apart from those two, minor things, this is a really lovely novel, written almost lyrically, and Katherine is a relatable character – stubbornness and all – who you really feel for, the further you get into the novel. Even though the majority of readers of this book wouldn’t have burns covering their body, the things that Katherine experiences – pressures from her mother, friends, exams – are all very ordinary, and stuff that teenage readers will understand, especially Katherine’s struggles with self-esteem and self-image (that’s something, I think, that affects everyone).
Overall, Butterflies offers a fascinating insight into life as a burns victim, as well as that of a teenager, and is told wonderfully. I think this would really appeal to teenage girls.
Butterflies is told through a combination of Katherine’s tumultuous and sometimes disconnected thoughts, recollections of events in the past – how she was burnt, time in hospitals – and Katherine’s present life. I thought this was a really beautiful novel; written prettily but simply, and I found Katherine to be a layered and interesting character – not just a burns victim, but also a teenage girl, an Italian-Australian, who fiercely refuses to be called ‘disabled’. The other characters were kind to her but they still fought – her mother, older sister Rachel, friend Jessie – and Katherine also struggled within herself, making for an often sad, but ultimately heart-warming, novel.
There were only a couple of things that threw me off – firstly, Katherine was really quite stubborn. It took me a while to warm to her, but her struggles with her burns and operations, and poor self-image made her occasional sharpness understandable, and by the time the novel ended, I was really happy for the way things worked out for her. Secondly, I really felt it should have been in first person – the way the novel jumps between her inner dialogue and third person descriptions of her day to day life distracted me, and I wish the novel had have stayed in Katherine’s head the whole way through.
Apart from those two, minor things, this is a really lovely novel, written almost lyrically, and Katherine is a relatable character – stubbornness and all – who you really feel for, the further you get into the novel. Even though the majority of readers of this book wouldn’t have burns covering their body, the things that Katherine experiences – pressures from her mother, friends, exams – are all very ordinary, and stuff that teenage readers will understand, especially Katherine’s struggles with self-esteem and self-image (that’s something, I think, that affects everyone).
Overall, Butterflies offers a fascinating insight into life as a burns victim, as well as that of a teenager, and is told wonderfully. I think this would really appeal to teenage girls.
November 10, 2021
I'm genuinely surprised by the positive reviews of this book. So let me explain the one star rating (spoilers ahead):
Katherine is entirely self-absorbed. She refuses to talk to people (in fact, in her thoughts, she is constantly blaming those around her for the reason she doesn't talk to them - "Don't you see, mom? Don't you see that I HAVE to lie to you?") but at the same time, she is furious with those around her for not understanding her. Um... how is anyone supposed to understand you, if you refuse to talk to them and tell them what's bothering you?
Whenever she listens to other people, her thoughts constantly turn inwards, like, "why are they discussing (insert event, person, thing here), when I am in such turmoil?" She has homework assignments to read poems and when a poem is about life being difficult, she thinks the poet is being silly, because what could he possibly have going on that's so bad? He wasn't burned. Okay... so unless you have burns/scars, your life can't have troubles?
I've seen review after review claiming that Katherine's friends are selfish. No, sorry. Just because they DARE to have lives that don't revolve around an event that happened 12 years earlier, and just because they don't spend every second of the day trying to read Katherine's mind to discover what's wrong with her, does not make them selfish. In fact, my favorite part of the entire book is when Katherine returns to school after having surgery and Jessie picks up right where they left off. Katherine gets upset with her for not asking how she was because, didn't Jessie know? KATHERINE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL. Jessie storms off. (I cheered her on.) Katherine catches up with her and Jessie calls her out for her stupidity, because who brought Katherine her homework? Who visited her in the hospital? Who called her? Who did all of these things for Katherine while she was in the hospital? Oh. Right. JESSIE.
Near the end of the book, it is very clear that something is bothering Katherine's older sister (who would literally do anything for Katherine and is an angel). Katherine can tell something's wrong. Does she ask her about it? No, she's got to focus on her own issues. Does she try to do something to help her sister? No, her sister is supposed to help HER. Do we ever even find out what's wrong? No, because Katherine has to go to a dance. I mean, PRIORITIES, people!
Katherine is obsessed with looking perfect aka having no scars. Because no one will like her with scars. (Despite the fact that she's got lots of friends.) No boy will ever want to go out with her. (Despite the fact that she's got two boys who like her throughout the book and who both know about her scars.) She can't be happy with her scars. (AH. Now we come to the truth of the matter.) Katherine's mother is constantly trying to instill in her daughter that she is beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Not that she WILL BE beautiful, but that she IS beautiful.
Katherine decides that she needs more surgery, not because anything is wrong, but because she wants to be "perfect." Her doctor doesn't agree. Her mother doesn't agree. But Katherine wants it and gosh darned it, she's going to get it. Her doctor warns her again and again (and again and again) that there is no guarantee that the surgery will work. But y'know, Katherine believes it will, so she refuses to listen to this NEGATIVITY - y'know, preparing yourself for a possible outcome of the surgery? After having the bandages removed, she looks at herself in the mirror and (remember - she JUST had surgery!!) finds herself red and swollen. So, does she react rationally? Nope. She throws the mirror across the room and screams at her mother that she is a liar and that she lied to Katherine, saying that she WOULD BE beautiful. Um, no, girlie, your mom said you WERE beautiful, as in you are, as in you didn't need surgery. Katherine lied to HERSELF, but once again, it's not her fault, so let's blame mom and make her feel even more guilty than she already does.
The book ends with Katherine happy because... the surgery took and she's beautiful now. Okay. So we're not going to teach kids that their imperfections are what makes them beautiful? We're not going to teach that it's what on the inside that counts, not what's on your skin? We're not going to teach contentment? Or that you are more than your scars? That you're not a victim? That you're an overcomer? Nope, we're going to teach that you will always be a victim if you have any reminder of the horrific event; that you must achieve "perfect" in order to be happy. Cool. Great message for young girls.
Aside from... all that, there is a few mentions of boys drinking; Katherine escapes to the roof a couple of times where the smokers go; Katherine's mom really distrusts men and is constantly asking Katherine if her boyfriend "did something?" I feel like there's more I could say, but you get the picture.
I did learn a bit about what burn victims goes through, both right after the event and years later. But I could not make myself like Katherine, which means I could not make myself care about this book.
Katherine is entirely self-absorbed. She refuses to talk to people (in fact, in her thoughts, she is constantly blaming those around her for the reason she doesn't talk to them - "Don't you see, mom? Don't you see that I HAVE to lie to you?") but at the same time, she is furious with those around her for not understanding her. Um... how is anyone supposed to understand you, if you refuse to talk to them and tell them what's bothering you?
Whenever she listens to other people, her thoughts constantly turn inwards, like, "why are they discussing (insert event, person, thing here), when I am in such turmoil?" She has homework assignments to read poems and when a poem is about life being difficult, she thinks the poet is being silly, because what could he possibly have going on that's so bad? He wasn't burned. Okay... so unless you have burns/scars, your life can't have troubles?
I've seen review after review claiming that Katherine's friends are selfish. No, sorry. Just because they DARE to have lives that don't revolve around an event that happened 12 years earlier, and just because they don't spend every second of the day trying to read Katherine's mind to discover what's wrong with her, does not make them selfish. In fact, my favorite part of the entire book is when Katherine returns to school after having surgery and Jessie picks up right where they left off. Katherine gets upset with her for not asking how she was because, didn't Jessie know? KATHERINE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL. Jessie storms off. (I cheered her on.) Katherine catches up with her and Jessie calls her out for her stupidity, because who brought Katherine her homework? Who visited her in the hospital? Who called her? Who did all of these things for Katherine while she was in the hospital? Oh. Right. JESSIE.
Near the end of the book, it is very clear that something is bothering Katherine's older sister (who would literally do anything for Katherine and is an angel). Katherine can tell something's wrong. Does she ask her about it? No, she's got to focus on her own issues. Does she try to do something to help her sister? No, her sister is supposed to help HER. Do we ever even find out what's wrong? No, because Katherine has to go to a dance. I mean, PRIORITIES, people!
Katherine is obsessed with looking perfect aka having no scars. Because no one will like her with scars. (Despite the fact that she's got lots of friends.) No boy will ever want to go out with her. (Despite the fact that she's got two boys who like her throughout the book and who both know about her scars.) She can't be happy with her scars. (AH. Now we come to the truth of the matter.) Katherine's mother is constantly trying to instill in her daughter that she is beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Not that she WILL BE beautiful, but that she IS beautiful.
Katherine decides that she needs more surgery, not because anything is wrong, but because she wants to be "perfect." Her doctor doesn't agree. Her mother doesn't agree. But Katherine wants it and gosh darned it, she's going to get it. Her doctor warns her again and again (and again and again) that there is no guarantee that the surgery will work. But y'know, Katherine believes it will, so she refuses to listen to this NEGATIVITY - y'know, preparing yourself for a possible outcome of the surgery? After having the bandages removed, she looks at herself in the mirror and (remember - she JUST had surgery!!) finds herself red and swollen. So, does she react rationally? Nope. She throws the mirror across the room and screams at her mother that she is a liar and that she lied to Katherine, saying that she WOULD BE beautiful. Um, no, girlie, your mom said you WERE beautiful, as in you are, as in you didn't need surgery. Katherine lied to HERSELF, but once again, it's not her fault, so let's blame mom and make her feel even more guilty than she already does.
The book ends with Katherine happy because... the surgery took and she's beautiful now. Okay. So we're not going to teach kids that their imperfections are what makes them beautiful? We're not going to teach that it's what on the inside that counts, not what's on your skin? We're not going to teach contentment? Or that you are more than your scars? That you're not a victim? That you're an overcomer? Nope, we're going to teach that you will always be a victim if you have any reminder of the horrific event; that you must achieve "perfect" in order to be happy. Cool. Great message for young girls.
Aside from... all that, there is a few mentions of boys drinking; Katherine escapes to the roof a couple of times where the smokers go; Katherine's mom really distrusts men and is constantly asking Katherine if her boyfriend "did something?" I feel like there's more I could say, but you get the picture.
I did learn a bit about what burn victims goes through, both right after the event and years later. But I could not make myself like Katherine, which means I could not make myself care about this book.
January 9, 2022
I really liked this book! It’s about a burn survivor and I think the message was good!
April 22, 2012
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Butterflies is an intense but real walk through the life of a girl who has suffered tragedy in her past while giving the reader glimpses into the lives of those she has touched. Told in the not-so-common third person, present tense, the story unfolds in a combination of current events and past memories in such a way that keeps the reader guessing, wondering why certain concerns come up, why some things upset certain characters, or why the main character has reactions to various people in her life. From a completely outside perspective, the unfolding story teaches tolerance, acceptance, and the process of healing and living through the difficult life after being severely burned. However, it isn’t just the experiences of the victim that are revealed, but those of her family, friends, and those she comes in contact with.
Readers will find the strength of these characters both true and compelling, learning from each person and experiencing their interactions as if they were existing off the page, in front of them, as they read on. I found the experience of this book to be both touching and enlightening. Small moments that seem trivial become times for learning and experiencing, while the thought process of the main character guides readers through the internal processes of the “sufferer” as she goes around in the world, forced to exist not just with others, but with her various surgeries and differences.
I found myself caught up in the emotions of the family, experiencing the troubles they would go through and the thoughts and feelings on each event as it unfolded. This book has changed my view of others around me and the things they might have gone through in their past, as well as given me a new perspective on the various surgeries and troubles I have had to go through with loved ones within my own family. May it be just as comforting and eye opening to all other readers who find it.
Note: Though this book was a free gift from the author, the content of my review was in no way influenced by the gifting. The book speaks for itself and my review would have been worded just this way even if I'd gone out and bought it.
Butterflies is an intense but real walk through the life of a girl who has suffered tragedy in her past while giving the reader glimpses into the lives of those she has touched. Told in the not-so-common third person, present tense, the story unfolds in a combination of current events and past memories in such a way that keeps the reader guessing, wondering why certain concerns come up, why some things upset certain characters, or why the main character has reactions to various people in her life. From a completely outside perspective, the unfolding story teaches tolerance, acceptance, and the process of healing and living through the difficult life after being severely burned. However, it isn’t just the experiences of the victim that are revealed, but those of her family, friends, and those she comes in contact with.
Readers will find the strength of these characters both true and compelling, learning from each person and experiencing their interactions as if they were existing off the page, in front of them, as they read on. I found the experience of this book to be both touching and enlightening. Small moments that seem trivial become times for learning and experiencing, while the thought process of the main character guides readers through the internal processes of the “sufferer” as she goes around in the world, forced to exist not just with others, but with her various surgeries and differences.
I found myself caught up in the emotions of the family, experiencing the troubles they would go through and the thoughts and feelings on each event as it unfolded. This book has changed my view of others around me and the things they might have gone through in their past, as well as given me a new perspective on the various surgeries and troubles I have had to go through with loved ones within my own family. May it be just as comforting and eye opening to all other readers who find it.
Note: Though this book was a free gift from the author, the content of my review was in no way influenced by the gifting. The book speaks for itself and my review would have been worded just this way even if I'd gone out and bought it.
June 28, 2013
This book is important to me. The author who wrote this book spent a considerable amount of time with one of my specialists conducting research for this book. A specialist I have been seeing since early infancy. That's why my mum bought it. That and the fund raised from the books sale went directly to the hospital.
Truth be told this book touched me in ways very similar to that of TFiOS. TFiOS reminded me of this book and I had to rush over here and add it before I forgot. I have a habit of forgetting things. So yes, I suggest you read this if you liked that, but keep in mind these books are confronting and do not shy from the horror of illness or the mental/physical scars that are left behind. Some scars don't heal completely, but with hope and persistence we can close those scars with stitches and patch it up again.
I remember reading this book after I left hospital in 2006. Mum bought it for me while I was still in hospital too sick with medication to truly register she was speaking about books or my specialist or anything else. I was awfully sick. So sick. I read this after my longest hospital stay to date. Three months. I had to learn to walk again, it was painful and annoying and blah, blah blah! Back to the book.
I read this at the right time for me. I was recovering and this book helped me make a crack on my mental scars and the fragile nature of my illness and what I had suffered in hospital. I understood the pain, the hurt, the anguish and the fear expressed by the protagonist.
Being a teenager and being ill is terrible. It's so bad you can't truly understand unless you've been there or witnessed someone going through it. Books like Butterflies and TFiOS give you glimpse, they give you a taste and that taste usually either leaves a bad taste in your mouth or the salty taste of tears. It's not an easy thing to read about and not nearly is it easy to experience.
If you enjoyed TFiOS I suggest reading this book. It's the same idea with a different sickness. As always happy reading and good luck.
Chaos out.
Truth be told this book touched me in ways very similar to that of TFiOS. TFiOS reminded me of this book and I had to rush over here and add it before I forgot. I have a habit of forgetting things. So yes, I suggest you read this if you liked that, but keep in mind these books are confronting and do not shy from the horror of illness or the mental/physical scars that are left behind. Some scars don't heal completely, but with hope and persistence we can close those scars with stitches and patch it up again.
I remember reading this book after I left hospital in 2006. Mum bought it for me while I was still in hospital too sick with medication to truly register she was speaking about books or my specialist or anything else. I was awfully sick. So sick. I read this after my longest hospital stay to date. Three months. I had to learn to walk again, it was painful and annoying and blah, blah blah! Back to the book.
I read this at the right time for me. I was recovering and this book helped me make a crack on my mental scars and the fragile nature of my illness and what I had suffered in hospital. I understood the pain, the hurt, the anguish and the fear expressed by the protagonist.
Being a teenager and being ill is terrible. It's so bad you can't truly understand unless you've been there or witnessed someone going through it. Books like Butterflies and TFiOS give you glimpse, they give you a taste and that taste usually either leaves a bad taste in your mouth or the salty taste of tears. It's not an easy thing to read about and not nearly is it easy to experience.
If you enjoyed TFiOS I suggest reading this book. It's the same idea with a different sickness. As always happy reading and good luck.
Chaos out.
September 24, 2011
This is one of my favorite books EVER!!!! I loved it! I have read it like four times!!!!!!!!
Susanne Gervay is an extraordinary author. It was sad, but really good.
Okay, I shall give you a spoiler.
Severely burnt as a toddler, Katherine has had many operations. All her life she has tried to fit in with her peers, but now at eighteen she feels the need to even more. In this fabulous book, Katherine finds love, makes true friends and has the operation that will make her look like everyone else.
Read this book today!!! It is to good to miss out on!!!!!!
Susanne Gervay is an extraordinary author. It was sad, but really good.
Okay, I shall give you a spoiler.
Severely burnt as a toddler, Katherine has had many operations. All her life she has tried to fit in with her peers, but now at eighteen she feels the need to even more. In this fabulous book, Katherine finds love, makes true friends and has the operation that will make her look like everyone else.
Read this book today!!! It is to good to miss out on!!!!!!
February 25, 2016
I have a problem with the grammar in this book. I don't know if this is "translated" from the original Australian version but the dialogue is very halting and unnatural. It's a good story but needs better writing.
June 6, 2025
3 stars 🌟
Spice: ❌
Spice: ❌
August 23, 2010
Katherine is just like any other eighteen year old - she has dreams and she has insecurities. Still, she is keenly aware that she doesn't look like other eighteen year olds. An accident at the age of three has left her with severe burn scars.
At times Katherine believes that no one else can possibly understand her problems, but as she deals with them and grows, she learns to communicate - with those around her and with herself. She faces her troubles with dignity and with humour, refusing to give in to self pity.
'Butterflies' is a superb young adult novel. Author Susanne Gervay has a wonderful talent for creating stories which explore serious issues with a perfect blend of humour and empathy, of detail and entertainment. Her books don't hold back from the truth, but are positive and uplifting.
'Butterflies' is an inspirational novel by an inspirational author.
Aussie Reviews - http://www.aussiereviews.com/article1...
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It's hard enough being a 'normal' teenage girl. Seventeen-year-old Katherine has the added problem of being badly scarred from burns she suffered as a small child. She tries to cover the side of her face and neck with a long hairstyle, and endures endless rounds of surgery in the hope of one day being smooth and beautiful. Amidst the pain and shame she navigates the normal rites of youth - boys, schoolwork, friendship and conflict with parents.
Susanne Gervay depicts her character's insecurities and fears with warmth and sensitivity, allowing the reader to sense the real strength and vulnerability of the burns victim. Flashbacks, identified by italics, give us glimpses into the long journey Katherine and her close-knit working-class family have made.
A book that will inspire courage and empathy.
http://bellasbooks.homestead.com/youn...
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Compelling?
Moving?
Inspirational?
You are not even close to the power that this book holds .... Katherine's story is one that reels you in, and won't let you go, until the very last word.
Susanne Gervay has crafted this book beautifully, and its gift of strength and hope will stay with the reader, long after the book is put down.
REACT ACT Department of Education
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In this challenging but inspiring book we meet Katherine, a 17 year-old who suffered horrific burns at the age of three. The whole story resonates with her courage and determination, and the warmth and love she receives from her mother, sister and friends. 'Butterflies' is a great reminder that all people are individuals, and deserve the same attention and opportunities. Although the central character is nearly 18, the book is suitable for those aged 14 and over and for adults too.
Melbourne's Child
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Traumatic experiences, such as those of a burn survivor, can be difficult for others to understand. That's where novels such as 'Butterflies' are so valuable. Susanne Gervay's novel is a particularly compelling story of a young girl, her loves, friendships, and family relationships We experience that unforgettable 'coming of age' time with Katherine but equally we see through her eyes as a three-year-old and the defining moment in her life - that experience of burning.
The story is cleverly told through flashbacks and current day scenes with natural dialogue and episodes from school and home. These ensure young readers' avid attention. Through these we can understand Katherine's gritty courage and stoic determination forged through many painful hospital surgeries. These same qualities drive Katherine to excel in school and in sport and we cheer with her as she succeeds. The author's smooth storytelling style adds to that feeling that we are part of this young woman's life.
Katherine's burn experiences are sufficiently detailed to enable readers to fulfil their curiosity and fears about what it means to be a burn survivor. No longer are we outside this traumatic experience. We can now empathize. Characters that we come to care about very much doubly enrich the whole experience.
Professor Belle Alderman, University of Canberra
This story speaks of great pain, trauma and broken relationships and how love and courage triumph over all. Katherine, at 18, is in her final year of high school. At 3 years old she was severely burnt. Only the fierce and loyal love of her mother and her sister, Rachel, and Katherine's own refusal to live her life as a victim, help her face the future with the hope and courage that she does. The issues of adolescent relationships, dreams and aspirations, anxieties and fears are dealt with well. There are flashbacks to the past traumatic events, which are very vivid and add great depth.
Susanne Gervay has written with sensitivity and wonderful humour. The relationship between Katherine and her mother and sister is particularly warm and real. A compelling story. Recommended for older readers.
Reading Time
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Every survivor has a story. Often the story is of interest, and even more often instructive. 'Butterflies' is the story of a burn survivor, and is both interesting and instructive. It explores the complex areas of the emotional impact of a burn on the individual and family while giving insight into the world of hospitals, patients and doctors. It traces the development of the personality from insecurity and relative isolation to a healthier level of self esteem that enables the individual to form balanced relationships with family and friends. It shows how the inner person can triumph over a preoccupation with surface scars and know that basic values of commitment, caring and trust are more important than the texture of the skin.
'Butterflies' has relevance outside the narrow circle of burn survivors and their families. It shows the ebb and flow of emotions that affect us all, particularly in the transition between childhood and adulthood, and how parenting and family life make these bearable.
Those of us who are involved in the world of burns know how survivors need help from time to time, but slowly develop a depth of character and an inner strength which is rarely seen in others. Like tempering steel, the process of passing through the fire helps make a person of exceptional quality. 'Butterflies' captures these subtleties for the reader, and gives a stunning insight into a difficult topic.
Dr Hugh Martin
President of the Australian and New Zealand Burn Association and
Head of the Burn Unit, The Children's Hospital Westmead, Sydney.
Below is the result of your website contact form. It was submitted by
mel on Sunday, October 26, 2008 at 13:48:25
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University of Sydney Master Student Bree 29 June 09 via email
Hi Susanne,
Well I'm on a roll now and I can't stop thinking about Butterflies....it’s just something I wanted to tell you.
… when I was studying med I did a unit on burns and wrote an essay that specifically referred to my reactions to studying and experiencing burns patients. This was a confronting unit of work for me and I really delved into why people find burns so confronting. The following is an excerpt from my essay:
I have discovered that of all the experiences I have had working in hospitals, from watching open heart surgeries to working in the Intensive Care Unit, I have found burns wounds the most intimidating. The same sentiments were confirmed by many of my contemporaries and in order to understand this further I researched the articles and essays written by doctors and nurses about why burns wounds were intimidating. I was particularly interested in the following statement,
“Burns wounds, while being all too real, are at the same time represented in the Western culture as horrific disturbances of the surfaces, orifices and lines of one’s own clean and proper body. Burns wounds are transgressive because they leak and render the body’s boundaries unstable.” (Rudge 1998)
The first part pinpoints my own feelings regarding burns wounds and articulates it in a way in which I can understand the reasoning behind why I find it so intimidating. It had never occurred to me that it was this disturbance of the clean lines of the body that I found so unsettling. The second part of this statement brought me back to embodiment, by referring to the body’s boundaries. It becomes apparent why burns patients could experience mental trauma as a result of their injuries, the skin creates the boundary to what is not just the body, but also everything it contains, from our organs, bones etc through to our thoughts, feelings and all of those cultural, social, political, ethical and spiritual aspects to a person’s own, individual identity. The skin as a cover is real, symbolic and imaginary. Once we start looking at skin from those perspectives, it becomes so much more than a cover, it embraces embodiment.
To disturb the body's boundaries also has such a emotional and mental affect on a patient as it is so closely linked to identity. I found this related so well to 'Butterflies' and Katherine's journey, in so many ways.
Firstly, the part when her mother see's her and her burns in the hospital for the first time and struggles to come to terms with Katherine and can not see her daughter as she knew her. (I like that you wrote that reaction from the mother, I felt it was brave on your behalf to demonstrate how burns can really affect people, rather than for the mother to have pretended everything was ok straight away.)
Secondly, other people's reactions and beliefs about Katherine's burns, such as Mark, the swim coach and the school academic counsellor demonstrate that outsiders misunderstand burns wounds and find that just because they can see them, and they have disturbed the clean lines of the body means that the person is 'ugly' or 'disabled'. ('Butterflies' teaches readers this is not the case.)
Thirdly, Katherine's own struggle with identity is so deeply tied to her scarring and wounds that it sometimes makes her not see anything but the burns, and believe that its all others can see. She fights an internal battle to overcome this and to me that is the most significant journey of the novel.
The novel explores boundaries in so many ways, that I could not help but think about the above excerpt from my essay as I was reading and re-reading 'Butterflies'. The comments on the skin as a boundary for the body is particularly poignant as throughout Katherine's brave journey she pushes against the boundaries that restrict her, and not just ones that are skin deep.
I hope you enjoyed that information about my reading of 'Butterflies'. I think it is a courageous novel and positively inspiring.
Kind Regards,
Bree
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Butterflies by Susanne Gervay
‘Butterflies’ is a rite-of-passage young adult novel.
Published by HarperCollins Australia, ‘Butterflies’ has been recognized by IBBY (International Books for Youth under the auspices of the United Nations) as Outstanding Youth Literature on Disability and received critical acclaim from commercial/trade media as well as educational and academic journals. Susanne has had extensive interviews on radio, TV and in print in Australia on ‘Butterflies’. Print reviews include commercial to literary reviews. Samples are:-
Glossy high sale/trade women’s magazines:-
‘Curl up on the lounge, ignore the telephone and enjoy Butterflies.’
Cosmopolitan (COSMO)
‘Butterflies’ is ‘… a compelling read whatever your age.’
TV Week
Literary Journals:-
‘This is a credible and moving account of a young girl’s recovery.’
Australian Book Review
‘A compelling story’
Reading Time, literary review journal
The Teen and YA responses:-
‘Compelling? Moving? Inspirational? You’re not even close.’
Natasa Racic Year 10 Gold Creek School Canberra
‘This book is the most beautiful book in the world.’
Teen Review Auckland City Libraries
At times Katherine believes that no one else can possibly understand her problems, but as she deals with them and grows, she learns to communicate - with those around her and with herself. She faces her troubles with dignity and with humour, refusing to give in to self pity.
'Butterflies' is a superb young adult novel. Author Susanne Gervay has a wonderful talent for creating stories which explore serious issues with a perfect blend of humour and empathy, of detail and entertainment. Her books don't hold back from the truth, but are positive and uplifting.
'Butterflies' is an inspirational novel by an inspirational author.
Aussie Reviews - http://www.aussiereviews.com/article1...
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It's hard enough being a 'normal' teenage girl. Seventeen-year-old Katherine has the added problem of being badly scarred from burns she suffered as a small child. She tries to cover the side of her face and neck with a long hairstyle, and endures endless rounds of surgery in the hope of one day being smooth and beautiful. Amidst the pain and shame she navigates the normal rites of youth - boys, schoolwork, friendship and conflict with parents.
Susanne Gervay depicts her character's insecurities and fears with warmth and sensitivity, allowing the reader to sense the real strength and vulnerability of the burns victim. Flashbacks, identified by italics, give us glimpses into the long journey Katherine and her close-knit working-class family have made.
A book that will inspire courage and empathy.
http://bellasbooks.homestead.com/youn...
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Compelling?
Moving?
Inspirational?
You are not even close to the power that this book holds .... Katherine's story is one that reels you in, and won't let you go, until the very last word.
Susanne Gervay has crafted this book beautifully, and its gift of strength and hope will stay with the reader, long after the book is put down.
REACT ACT Department of Education
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In this challenging but inspiring book we meet Katherine, a 17 year-old who suffered horrific burns at the age of three. The whole story resonates with her courage and determination, and the warmth and love she receives from her mother, sister and friends. 'Butterflies' is a great reminder that all people are individuals, and deserve the same attention and opportunities. Although the central character is nearly 18, the book is suitable for those aged 14 and over and for adults too.
Melbourne's Child
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Traumatic experiences, such as those of a burn survivor, can be difficult for others to understand. That's where novels such as 'Butterflies' are so valuable. Susanne Gervay's novel is a particularly compelling story of a young girl, her loves, friendships, and family relationships We experience that unforgettable 'coming of age' time with Katherine but equally we see through her eyes as a three-year-old and the defining moment in her life - that experience of burning.
The story is cleverly told through flashbacks and current day scenes with natural dialogue and episodes from school and home. These ensure young readers' avid attention. Through these we can understand Katherine's gritty courage and stoic determination forged through many painful hospital surgeries. These same qualities drive Katherine to excel in school and in sport and we cheer with her as she succeeds. The author's smooth storytelling style adds to that feeling that we are part of this young woman's life.
Katherine's burn experiences are sufficiently detailed to enable readers to fulfil their curiosity and fears about what it means to be a burn survivor. No longer are we outside this traumatic experience. We can now empathize. Characters that we come to care about very much doubly enrich the whole experience.
Professor Belle Alderman, University of Canberra
This story speaks of great pain, trauma and broken relationships and how love and courage triumph over all. Katherine, at 18, is in her final year of high school. At 3 years old she was severely burnt. Only the fierce and loyal love of her mother and her sister, Rachel, and Katherine's own refusal to live her life as a victim, help her face the future with the hope and courage that she does. The issues of adolescent relationships, dreams and aspirations, anxieties and fears are dealt with well. There are flashbacks to the past traumatic events, which are very vivid and add great depth.
Susanne Gervay has written with sensitivity and wonderful humour. The relationship between Katherine and her mother and sister is particularly warm and real. A compelling story. Recommended for older readers.
Reading Time
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Every survivor has a story. Often the story is of interest, and even more often instructive. 'Butterflies' is the story of a burn survivor, and is both interesting and instructive. It explores the complex areas of the emotional impact of a burn on the individual and family while giving insight into the world of hospitals, patients and doctors. It traces the development of the personality from insecurity and relative isolation to a healthier level of self esteem that enables the individual to form balanced relationships with family and friends. It shows how the inner person can triumph over a preoccupation with surface scars and know that basic values of commitment, caring and trust are more important than the texture of the skin.
'Butterflies' has relevance outside the narrow circle of burn survivors and their families. It shows the ebb and flow of emotions that affect us all, particularly in the transition between childhood and adulthood, and how parenting and family life make these bearable.
Those of us who are involved in the world of burns know how survivors need help from time to time, but slowly develop a depth of character and an inner strength which is rarely seen in others. Like tempering steel, the process of passing through the fire helps make a person of exceptional quality. 'Butterflies' captures these subtleties for the reader, and gives a stunning insight into a difficult topic.
Dr Hugh Martin
President of the Australian and New Zealand Burn Association and
Head of the Burn Unit, The Children's Hospital Westmead, Sydney.
Below is the result of your website contact form. It was submitted by
mel on Sunday, October 26, 2008 at 13:48:25
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University of Sydney Master Student Bree 29 June 09 via email
Hi Susanne,
Well I'm on a roll now and I can't stop thinking about Butterflies....it’s just something I wanted to tell you.
… when I was studying med I did a unit on burns and wrote an essay that specifically referred to my reactions to studying and experiencing burns patients. This was a confronting unit of work for me and I really delved into why people find burns so confronting. The following is an excerpt from my essay:
I have discovered that of all the experiences I have had working in hospitals, from watching open heart surgeries to working in the Intensive Care Unit, I have found burns wounds the most intimidating. The same sentiments were confirmed by many of my contemporaries and in order to understand this further I researched the articles and essays written by doctors and nurses about why burns wounds were intimidating. I was particularly interested in the following statement,
“Burns wounds, while being all too real, are at the same time represented in the Western culture as horrific disturbances of the surfaces, orifices and lines of one’s own clean and proper body. Burns wounds are transgressive because they leak and render the body’s boundaries unstable.” (Rudge 1998)
The first part pinpoints my own feelings regarding burns wounds and articulates it in a way in which I can understand the reasoning behind why I find it so intimidating. It had never occurred to me that it was this disturbance of the clean lines of the body that I found so unsettling. The second part of this statement brought me back to embodiment, by referring to the body’s boundaries. It becomes apparent why burns patients could experience mental trauma as a result of their injuries, the skin creates the boundary to what is not just the body, but also everything it contains, from our organs, bones etc through to our thoughts, feelings and all of those cultural, social, political, ethical and spiritual aspects to a person’s own, individual identity. The skin as a cover is real, symbolic and imaginary. Once we start looking at skin from those perspectives, it becomes so much more than a cover, it embraces embodiment.
To disturb the body's boundaries also has such a emotional and mental affect on a patient as it is so closely linked to identity. I found this related so well to 'Butterflies' and Katherine's journey, in so many ways.
Firstly, the part when her mother see's her and her burns in the hospital for the first time and struggles to come to terms with Katherine and can not see her daughter as she knew her. (I like that you wrote that reaction from the mother, I felt it was brave on your behalf to demonstrate how burns can really affect people, rather than for the mother to have pretended everything was ok straight away.)
Secondly, other people's reactions and beliefs about Katherine's burns, such as Mark, the swim coach and the school academic counsellor demonstrate that outsiders misunderstand burns wounds and find that just because they can see them, and they have disturbed the clean lines of the body means that the person is 'ugly' or 'disabled'. ('Butterflies' teaches readers this is not the case.)
Thirdly, Katherine's own struggle with identity is so deeply tied to her scarring and wounds that it sometimes makes her not see anything but the burns, and believe that its all others can see. She fights an internal battle to overcome this and to me that is the most significant journey of the novel.
The novel explores boundaries in so many ways, that I could not help but think about the above excerpt from my essay as I was reading and re-reading 'Butterflies'. The comments on the skin as a boundary for the body is particularly poignant as throughout Katherine's brave journey she pushes against the boundaries that restrict her, and not just ones that are skin deep.
I hope you enjoyed that information about my reading of 'Butterflies'. I think it is a courageous novel and positively inspiring.
Kind Regards,
Bree
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Butterflies by Susanne Gervay
‘Butterflies’ is a rite-of-passage young adult novel.
Published by HarperCollins Australia, ‘Butterflies’ has been recognized by IBBY (International Books for Youth under the auspices of the United Nations) as Outstanding Youth Literature on Disability and received critical acclaim from commercial/trade media as well as educational and academic journals. Susanne has had extensive interviews on radio, TV and in print in Australia on ‘Butterflies’. Print reviews include commercial to literary reviews. Samples are:-
Glossy high sale/trade women’s magazines:-
‘Curl up on the lounge, ignore the telephone and enjoy Butterflies.’
Cosmopolitan (COSMO)
‘Butterflies’ is ‘… a compelling read whatever your age.’
TV Week
Literary Journals:-
‘This is a credible and moving account of a young girl’s recovery.’
Australian Book Review
‘A compelling story’
Reading Time, literary review journal
The Teen and YA responses:-
‘Compelling? Moving? Inspirational? You’re not even close.’
Natasa Racic Year 10 Gold Creek School Canberra
‘This book is the most beautiful book in the world.’
Teen Review Auckland City Libraries
May 5, 2021
Butterflies was a very unique read. It's one of books from usbourne books collection teens. I enjoyed the storey a lot, but it took about the first 70 pages to get adjusted to how it was written. The book tells the story of an Australian teen who got burned as a toddler and her journey of healing and dealing with what it's like to be a burn victim. It does talk some about how it happened, it's not a graphic book but may not be suitable for children under 10. I really loved the story and how she was able to overcome it all.
4🌟
🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
4🌟
🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋
February 18, 2023
Not a fan. I just could not get into it! The synopsis of the book sounded so good but I really just felt like this entire book lacked. It was hard to follow and just way too YA for me. It was a quick and easy read, I'll give it that, but nothing memorable stuck out to me. I'd probably never read again. I'm happy to be done with it.
July 26, 2018
An Usborne Books and More book, lent to me by a friend so I can have more exposure to the "older" books available. Written for juveniles, but still entertaining and sweet. Set in Australia so there were some references I didn't understand, but didn't detract from the book.
October 22, 2022
This book is definitely aimed for a younger audience of around 10-12 years old. However. I felt that this story could still appeal to anyone. This book was an easy read and gives you a look into a young girl's life as a burn victim. This story covers the struggles she faces as she trys to live a "normal" teen life. I also found the story to be so inspiring, I really enjoyed how she kept pushing through the obstacles that she faced in her life. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy YA read with little to no drama. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
Until Next Time Bookworms,
Kayla
Until Next Time Bookworms,
Kayla
March 30, 2020
Was a very good book! Love the story!
December 22, 2017
Sweet book for age 13-ish. Bought for my niece who wants to be a doctor, so the medical aspect will be right up her alley.
March 29, 2018
Butterflies by Susanne Gervay is a heartfelt story about a girl, Katherine, that is left with with third-degree burns on her body after she falls into a fire pit when she is just a toddler. Katherine faces many challenging conflicts, including meeting her dad, who left her family after the accident. She also faces many important decisions, such as whether she should continue to swim after her coach suggests that she should apply for the Paralympic Games. She is self-conscious of her burns, and she has many surgeries to help her look “normal” or move properly, including one that could change the way she looks forever.
I really liked this book because it teaches the importance of a positive self-image. It also gives an insight into someone’s life who does not have the same abilities as me. This book has many flashbacks, and I liked reading them because they gave more background information about Katherine. Overall, I liked reading this book because it gives a different perspective of life, it shows how helpful family and friends are when you need them, and reminds me not to take my abilities for granted.
I really liked this book because it teaches the importance of a positive self-image. It also gives an insight into someone’s life who does not have the same abilities as me. This book has many flashbacks, and I liked reading them because they gave more background information about Katherine. Overall, I liked reading this book because it gives a different perspective of life, it shows how helpful family and friends are when you need them, and reminds me not to take my abilities for granted.
November 11, 2014
Katherine is nearly eighteen and just wants to be like everyone else. She was severely burnt at age 3 and has undergone many operations to get her to where she is. Will she ever be able to wear her hair up? Should she put her head in a bag as one boy said in a cruel comment? No, Katherine goes on and strives to be better. Her Italian born mother and her sister are always there for her. Her nightmares still haunt her; will she always be the Beast not Beauty?
This book is so touching. Susanne Gervay really gets into the mind of a trauma victim and how to overcome adversity. It is a wonderful story and not just for young adults, sobering for anyone to see past the scars into the heart of beautiful people who suffer many operations just to look acceptable but also to function in this beautiful world.
The final page of the book is by Dr Hugh Martin, President of the Australian and New Zealand Burn Association and Head of the Burn Unit, The Children's Hospital, Westmead, NSW. He sums up this book in his last paragraph: 'Like tempering, steel, the process of passing through the fire helps make a person of exceptional quality. This book captures these subtleties for the reader, and gives a stunning insight.'
This book is so touching. Susanne Gervay really gets into the mind of a trauma victim and how to overcome adversity. It is a wonderful story and not just for young adults, sobering for anyone to see past the scars into the heart of beautiful people who suffer many operations just to look acceptable but also to function in this beautiful world.
The final page of the book is by Dr Hugh Martin, President of the Australian and New Zealand Burn Association and Head of the Burn Unit, The Children's Hospital, Westmead, NSW. He sums up this book in his last paragraph: 'Like tempering, steel, the process of passing through the fire helps make a person of exceptional quality. This book captures these subtleties for the reader, and gives a stunning insight.'
December 6, 2011
"Bekas luka itu akan selalu ada. Sekarang sudah tidak banyak. Kurasa tidak masalah lagi bagiku. Aku tidak begitu takut lagi." Katherine. (hal.258) tersenyum membaca kalimat terakhir ini. :)
Kagum dengan Ibu Katherine yang begitu menyayangi dan menerima keadaan Katherine. Memang begitulah seharusnya seorang ibu.
Dan Katherine, semangatnya untuk melewati masa-masa sulit operasi membuatku malu.
Tatapan orang-orang saat melihat luka bakar pada tubuh seseorang dan pertanyaan demi pertanyaan tentang sejarah luka bakar tsb terkadang lebih perih dirasakan daripada luka itu sendiri.
Perasaan tidak nyaman karena bekas luka bakar pernah membuatku tidak PEDE seperti Katherine, dan setiap kali mereka menatap telapak tanganku, aku bisa membaca ekspresi di wajah mereka yang beragam, yang semakin membuatku tidak nyaman dan terkadang salah tingkah. Tapi itu sudah beralu :)
Membaca buku ini seperti mengingat kejadian 12 tahun silam. Aku semakin bersyukur dengan keadaan yang sekarang. :)
Kagum dengan Ibu Katherine yang begitu menyayangi dan menerima keadaan Katherine. Memang begitulah seharusnya seorang ibu.
Dan Katherine, semangatnya untuk melewati masa-masa sulit operasi membuatku malu.
Tatapan orang-orang saat melihat luka bakar pada tubuh seseorang dan pertanyaan demi pertanyaan tentang sejarah luka bakar tsb terkadang lebih perih dirasakan daripada luka itu sendiri.
Perasaan tidak nyaman karena bekas luka bakar pernah membuatku tidak PEDE seperti Katherine, dan setiap kali mereka menatap telapak tanganku, aku bisa membaca ekspresi di wajah mereka yang beragam, yang semakin membuatku tidak nyaman dan terkadang salah tingkah. Tapi itu sudah beralu :)
Membaca buku ini seperti mengingat kejadian 12 tahun silam. Aku semakin bersyukur dengan keadaan yang sekarang. :)
January 27, 2015
'Butterflies' is an emotional novel about identity, friendship, first love and family/ The story is told from the perspective of Katherine, a 17 year old living with scars (both physical and emotional) of third degree burns she survived as a toddler.
The narrative is interspersed with flashbacks that fill out the story behind Katherine's current situation and her emotional struggle for identity and place.
Susanne Gervay has obviously done an enormous amount of research for this novel, both about the technical/medical approach to burn recovery and the emotional issues at stake. The characters are written with strength and authenticity.
My only hesitation with this particular novel is the way it includes/describes a couple of sexual scenes. The scene are not terribly explicit, but the detail given is enough to make me think carefully before handing this to teens not yet ready for this content.
The narrative is interspersed with flashbacks that fill out the story behind Katherine's current situation and her emotional struggle for identity and place.
Susanne Gervay has obviously done an enormous amount of research for this novel, both about the technical/medical approach to burn recovery and the emotional issues at stake. The characters are written with strength and authenticity.
My only hesitation with this particular novel is the way it includes/describes a couple of sexual scenes. The scene are not terribly explicit, but the detail given is enough to make me think carefully before handing this to teens not yet ready for this content.
May 24, 2010
I borrowed this book from my friend, Deane (who's usually the one who borrow my books).
and since the first chapter, I officially loved this book!
the girl, Katherine, was the same girl inside like other girls. she likes guys, she has a few hobbies, and everything. she's normal, except the fact she has a defect from her childhood.
for one thing, I really understand why she loved hard rock music much and how she avoided stupid guy who mocked her. that's almost the same thing as I am.
I mean, every girls want to be pretty right? especially when you're teenager who seen perfect girls on TV screen much.
I love the way she passed all her problems. that's why, I put 5 stars for this book. so sad this book wasn't as popular as it should.
and since the first chapter, I officially loved this book!
the girl, Katherine, was the same girl inside like other girls. she likes guys, she has a few hobbies, and everything. she's normal, except the fact she has a defect from her childhood.
for one thing, I really understand why she loved hard rock music much and how she avoided stupid guy who mocked her. that's almost the same thing as I am.
I mean, every girls want to be pretty right? especially when you're teenager who seen perfect girls on TV screen much.
I love the way she passed all her problems. that's why, I put 5 stars for this book. so sad this book wasn't as popular as it should.
January 19, 2015
This is my first Susanne Gervay book and what a book to begin with! I have read about this talented lady and looked at other reviews however and can see why such a fuss is made. Katherine's story was written so simply yet eloquently. I loved the strength and determination shown by Katherine. You want to feel sorry for her but her attitude won't allow it. Instead you connect with her in ways that relate to you. Feelings of self consciousness and self doubt, wanting acceptance and craving independence. All strong emotions that impact on any young girl as she develops into a young lady. This story made we cry, it made me grin but most of all it made me want to keep reading until the very end without stopping.
July 19, 2018
I gave this book one extra star than I planned on because the ending was OK. The jumping around in time throughout the book, as well as the stilted conversations, really detracted from the story. The flashbacks in the story weren't the problem so much, although the use of italics for both a flashback and the characters' thoughts was also confusing. It was the progression in the story that was more the problem. It was hard to figure out how much time had passed in the story from one chapter to another. On top of all that, I have quite a lot of experience with the main character's problem in the story, and her thoughts just didn't feel authentic at all. It was a classic example of the author telling, not showing.
March 30, 2012
This novel is about a girl who suffers disfiguring burns at the age of three years old. At eighteen she suffers the struggles of growing up. We learn about her relationships with friends and family and her strength in the face of insensitive cruelty. It is a beautifully written novel and I am fortunate enough to have a copy signed by the author with a personal dedication. In the words of Susanne herself, Butterflies is about our journey as mothers, girls and women. Thank you for writing it, Susanne.
August 9, 2011
Butterflies is an incredibly beautifully written and inspiring novel. Katherine is beginning to question those around her. Her mother, her father, her sister, and her friends. In a horrifying accident that left her with severe burns as a toddler, Katherine is also beginning to feel self-conscious of her scars and wants all the graft surgery she can get. But after a while, she begins to realise that people are actually beginning to accept her for who she is, and not what she looks like.
November 26, 2018
This book was just sort of ... different from what I've read before. Butterflies was a different genre than what I've read before. There were a few romantic moments in it but it was more like realistic fiction because this could happen to someone but it wasn't based on a real story. I would say maybe even teen fiction. I liked it but not like the "Red Queen" series and "the Lunar Chronicles". The story was just a little boring compared to what I have read.
August 11, 2019
The beginning reads a lot like an inexperienced writer wrote it, the writing does improve later on, though. As far as the general plot goes, it was okay. I wouldn't recommend this book unless you are very bored but it also isn't horrendous. More on the low part of the mediocre scale.
June 12, 2011
A sensitive novel about coping . Highly recommended.
March 16, 2018
The book I read was called Butterflies by Susanne Gervay. This was a great eye-opening, moving, well written book that deserves five stars. Katherine is a seventeen-year-old girl who lives with her mom and twenty-two-year-old sister. When she was almost three years old, she was severely burnt in an accident. When they were all very young, Katherine's father left due to all the stress and chaos caused from the incident. Throughout the book, Katherine has to deal with skin grafts constantly because of her burns and it gets in the way of her day to day life. A major theme portrayed throughout the book was to look beyond the surface of the scars and the flaws and into the person inside. Katherine is used to getting stared at and making people feel uncomfortable because of the way she looks. In the end, when people get to know what's on the inside, the scars on the outside shouldn't matter. The theme and issues Katherine faced in the book are important because they show the readers Katherine's mental and physical damage after the accident and how she had to cope and get over her fears while being a teenager dealing with everything else going on in life. It also connects and symbolizes how teenagers look past what is on the inside and judge people based on what's on the outside. The book helps the readers open their eyes and see what it means to look beyond the appearance and see the inside of someone. One particular moment in the book that stuck out to me was when Katherine and her friend Jesse were at the bus stop together. While they were waiting for the bus, some other kids they'd known that they took the bus with told Katherine that she'd look better with a trash bag over her face covering her scars. This stuck out to me a lot because it symbolizes a major theme in the story. The kids responsible didn't seem to care what Katherine's personality was like and only cared about what they saw on the outside and judged her on that. Katherine mentally dealt with stuff like that all the time and it connects to how teenagers in real life deal with issues like this through life because of what others judge them on. I would definitely recommend this book to middle and high school readers. This book fits into our world by showing the fighter in all of us. Everyone has to deal with a tough spot in their lives. It shows that even though everyone has to go through a tough situation at one point in time, they can fight to overcome it mentally and physically.
Readers should pick this up because it's an easy read and puts in perspective what it's like for all teenagers dealing with day to day issues like Katherine's and how they cope with them. It connects to the fact that everyone has to get through their tough times in life as well.
Readers should pick this up because it's an easy read and puts in perspective what it's like for all teenagers dealing with day to day issues like Katherine's and how they cope with them. It connects to the fact that everyone has to get through their tough times in life as well.
Read
October 21, 2019This book is great. It has everything a good novel needs, good dialogue, conflict and action, a few different characters, each with their own traits. Although in the big picture, while each one of the characters lead their own lives, they somewhat revolve around Katherine, the main character, and the burn victim.
The author did a very good job of weaving each element, conflict, problem and situation, into the next, flawlessly, without making it too separated, from one thing to another. Each new chapter was connected to the last, and it is easy to see how each thing leads to another.
However, I didn’t like the amount of flashbacks that were italicized, they were too long and occurred too often. I disliked that the story revolved a little too much around William, I wish it would’ve been more about her dad, because I just find that more interesting.
Suzanne Gervay had the ability to take a very taboo topic, and turn it into something more lighthearted. While not the most comical book, Gervay definitely made it less of a heavy subject.
Gervay had also integrated several book genres/topics all into one book, which is very difficult to have everything flow well, multiple topics and be cohesive and fun to read. She had combined family issues, she also had the romance aspect, and then the main topic, which was the burn marks, which all the subjects related back to.
Overall, I really liked the book, it had many events and things that I liked about it. There were ups and downs, and unsuspected things, but through it all, it was an amazing book and showed the dark side of having childhood trauma.
The author did a very good job of weaving each element, conflict, problem and situation, into the next, flawlessly, without making it too separated, from one thing to another. Each new chapter was connected to the last, and it is easy to see how each thing leads to another.
However, I didn’t like the amount of flashbacks that were italicized, they were too long and occurred too often. I disliked that the story revolved a little too much around William, I wish it would’ve been more about her dad, because I just find that more interesting.
Suzanne Gervay had the ability to take a very taboo topic, and turn it into something more lighthearted. While not the most comical book, Gervay definitely made it less of a heavy subject.
Gervay had also integrated several book genres/topics all into one book, which is very difficult to have everything flow well, multiple topics and be cohesive and fun to read. She had combined family issues, she also had the romance aspect, and then the main topic, which was the burn marks, which all the subjects related back to.
Overall, I really liked the book, it had many events and things that I liked about it. There were ups and downs, and unsuspected things, but through it all, it was an amazing book and showed the dark side of having childhood trauma.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews