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The Killing of Butterfly Joe
I killed Joe once, in a manner of speaking. But not twice. Not in the way you mean.'
Llew Jones wanted to see the States and write about the experience. Then he met Joe Bosco, a butterfly salesman as charismatic as he is infuriating, and they were soon hurtling across 1980s America together, caught up in an adventure that got way, way out of control. Now Llew is in jail, his friend is gone, and he has to give his side of the story if he’s ever going to get free . . .
Part existential road trip, part neo-gothic thriller, part morality tale, The Killing of Butterfly Joe by Rhidian Brook is a dazzling and propulsive novel full of characters you’ll never forget. An epic story of friendship, desire, and participating in the Great American Dream – ‘the one that leads from rags to riches via pitches’ – whatever the consequences.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 8, 2018
26 people are currently reading
378 people want to read
About the author
Rhidian Brook
12 books128 followersRhidian Brook (born 1964) is a novelist, screenwriter and broadcaster.
His first novel, The Testimony Of Taliesin Jones (Harper Collins) won three prizes, including the 1997 Somerset Maugham Award, and was made into a film starring Jonathan Pryce. His second novel, Jesus And The Adman (Harper Collins) was published in 1999. His third novel, The Aftermath, was published in April 2013 by Penguin UK, Knopf US and a further 18 publishers around the world. His short stories have been published by The Paris Review, Punch, The New Statesman, Time Out and others; and several were broadcast on BBC Radio 4’s Short Story.
His first commission for television - Mr Harvey Lights A Candle - was broadcast in 2005 on BBC1 and starred Timothy Spall. He wrote for the BBC series Silent Witness between 2005-7, and the factual drama Atlantis for BBC1 in 2008. Africa United, his first feature film (Pathe), went on general release in the UK in October 2010. He is adapting The Aftermath as a feature for Scott Free and BBC Film.
He has written articles for papers, including The Observer, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph. In 2005, he presented Nailing The Cross, a documentary for BBC1. In 2006 he broadcast a series In The Blood for BBC World Service, recording his family’s journey through the AIDS pandemic. His book about that journey - More Than Eyes Can See - was published by Marion Boyars in 2007.
He has been a regular contributor to Radio 4’s "Thought For The Day" for more than twelve years.
He lives with his wife and two children in London.
His first novel, The Testimony Of Taliesin Jones (Harper Collins) won three prizes, including the 1997 Somerset Maugham Award, and was made into a film starring Jonathan Pryce. His second novel, Jesus And The Adman (Harper Collins) was published in 1999. His third novel, The Aftermath, was published in April 2013 by Penguin UK, Knopf US and a further 18 publishers around the world. His short stories have been published by The Paris Review, Punch, The New Statesman, Time Out and others; and several were broadcast on BBC Radio 4’s Short Story.
His first commission for television - Mr Harvey Lights A Candle - was broadcast in 2005 on BBC1 and starred Timothy Spall. He wrote for the BBC series Silent Witness between 2005-7, and the factual drama Atlantis for BBC1 in 2008. Africa United, his first feature film (Pathe), went on general release in the UK in October 2010. He is adapting The Aftermath as a feature for Scott Free and BBC Film.
He has written articles for papers, including The Observer, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph. In 2005, he presented Nailing The Cross, a documentary for BBC1. In 2006 he broadcast a series In The Blood for BBC World Service, recording his family’s journey through the AIDS pandemic. His book about that journey - More Than Eyes Can See - was published by Marion Boyars in 2007.
He has been a regular contributor to Radio 4’s "Thought For The Day" for more than twelve years.
He lives with his wife and two children in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
January 23, 2019
The Ballad of Butterfly Joe is marketed as a fun-filled, action-packed adventure across America in which Joe meets some amazing characters from all walks of life. This actually a didactic tale, in some respects, about life and how to live every day as though it is your last. It really does a great job of defying classification too, but it's best described as part road trip adventure, part crime fiction and part satirical exploration of the concept of the American dream. The characters are beautifully drawn and three-dimensional and Joe himself is such a vivacious, uplifting lead that you really care and want the best for him in the long run.x
While on the surface this appears to be a frivolous romp across the US with the reader partaking in Joe's journey too, it actually cleverly explores a number of universal themes which everyone can relate to in one way or another: freedom, redemption and truth versus perception, nature versus nurture. I strongly feel that it is the novels effective composition, entertaining plot, quirky, unforgettable characters and inclusion of witty observations about life that make this such an engaging and absorbing read. It's these aspects together that result in such an eminently readable novel.
Many thanks to Picador for an ARC.
While on the surface this appears to be a frivolous romp across the US with the reader partaking in Joe's journey too, it actually cleverly explores a number of universal themes which everyone can relate to in one way or another: freedom, redemption and truth versus perception, nature versus nurture. I strongly feel that it is the novels effective composition, entertaining plot, quirky, unforgettable characters and inclusion of witty observations about life that make this such an engaging and absorbing read. It's these aspects together that result in such an eminently readable novel.
Many thanks to Picador for an ARC.
December 11, 2018
An interesting read on several levels - old-fashioned romp of an American road trip, engaging characters, complicated family dynamics - dominated by the charismatic ‘Butterfly Joe’, his infectious, upbeat personality and entertaining playfulness with the English language.
The notion of trapping, killing and displaying butterflies is not appealing these days but the fact that this is the family’s business underscores one of the novel’s main themes - freedom - and provides plenty of opportunity for extended metaphors of metamorphosing from one kind of life to another and of flying free from family history and obligations, and from authority.
Another theme is truth and how to recognise it - how family stories are rewritten and embellished over time, how a salesman adapts his pitch according to what he thinks will appeal to the customer. Joe is the consummate salesman, of his butterflies and of himself and his personal view of the world - utterly beguiling, exhausting company, but is he wearing this personality as a mask and, if so, what is behind it?
The novel’s structure is effective. We know early on that things are going to go wrong and there are hints in Rip’s narrative along the lines of “I should have guessed something wasn’t right and run a mile, but of course I didn’t” that kept me hooked.
Quite different from the only other book I’ve read by this author (The Aftermath, which I admired very much), equally well written but so much more fun.
With thanks to Pan Macmillan/Picador via NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.
The notion of trapping, killing and displaying butterflies is not appealing these days but the fact that this is the family’s business underscores one of the novel’s main themes - freedom - and provides plenty of opportunity for extended metaphors of metamorphosing from one kind of life to another and of flying free from family history and obligations, and from authority.
Another theme is truth and how to recognise it - how family stories are rewritten and embellished over time, how a salesman adapts his pitch according to what he thinks will appeal to the customer. Joe is the consummate salesman, of his butterflies and of himself and his personal view of the world - utterly beguiling, exhausting company, but is he wearing this personality as a mask and, if so, what is behind it?
The novel’s structure is effective. We know early on that things are going to go wrong and there are hints in Rip’s narrative along the lines of “I should have guessed something wasn’t right and run a mile, but of course I didn’t” that kept me hooked.
Quite different from the only other book I’ve read by this author (The Aftermath, which I admired very much), equally well written but so much more fun.
With thanks to Pan Macmillan/Picador via NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.
February 8, 2023
There were many different layers of meaning to be found in this quirky and original novel; the first I have read by this author. Poetry, prose, thoughts and dialogue were all mingled into a story that was part road trip, part coming of age, part family saga, part botany, and all with an underpinning of maturity and spiritual insight, interpreted loosely so as not to become dogmatic. For example, 'You really think life is about following dreams? What if the dream is ridiculous.. or dangerous... or selfish?' And character insights are plentiful, for example ' I seek approval from others by saying what I think will make them like me. Or make them happy. Usually both. I'm shallow that way. And if I can't win someone's approval I decide I don't like them. As a sort of protection'.
There is a joy in the use and experimenting of words and language that is, at times, quite extraordinary. The only reason I haven't given this book 5 stars is because whilst I appreciated so much about it, I did not feel an emotional connection.
There is a joy in the use and experimenting of words and language that is, at times, quite extraordinary. The only reason I haven't given this book 5 stars is because whilst I appreciated so much about it, I did not feel an emotional connection.
May 1, 2019
Literature and me just don't mix all that well I guess.
I hated Llewellyn/Rip. I hated Joe. I hated Edith. I felt sorry for Mary. I mostly liked Isobel.
The story was nothing incredible and didn't make me want to rush to the bookstore and order everything else Brook's has written.
I hated Llewellyn/Rip. I hated Joe. I hated Edith. I felt sorry for Mary. I mostly liked Isobel.
The story was nothing incredible and didn't make me want to rush to the bookstore and order everything else Brook's has written.
March 8, 2020
this had a suuuuper slow start, but did pick up once I got used to the language. although I did enjoy my time w Rip and Joe and family I personally just felt like there was nothing new to this story, I've read it 100 times before in other, similar coming of age contemporaries. Also didn't like the way women were treated, just saying.
March 16, 2020
How can you not love this book. Breathe through it's pages, let it surround your imagination with wings of it's butterflies. Simple and adventurous, promises to be a Qerouak in I. Welsh's pants and actually makes it. Just took two nights to finish it and i feel like it will take a lifetime to overcome it.
January 8, 2019
‘I looked down at the map of America. It was a land big enough for Joe. A land big enough to accommodate all our delusions.’
It is a well-used trope in literature: an outsider, someone a bit lost in their life, is accepted into a family or social group – usually made up of eccentric or larger-than-life characters – and experiences adventures or events which change their life. In ‘Butterfly Joe’, which is set in the summer of 1987, we meet Llewellyn Jones, a Welshman staying at his aunt’s house in the Catskill Mountains, who encounters the brother and sister pairing of Joe and Mary-Anne Bosco. Thus starts Llew’s extraordinary journey as he is taken on as Sales Manager for the Bosco’s ‘business’ of selling dead butterflies in display cases, and he is re-named Rip Van Jones by the exuberant and chaotic Joe. The whole Bosco clan are generally oddballs - from the domineering matriarch Edith to the other sister Isabelle, and the various waifs and strays that have been taken in over the years – and their house is a ramshackle mansion that used to belong to an arms manufacturer.
Part road trip, part satire on the American dream, part crime novel – it’s hard to classify the book, and in the background are several references to Greek epics and in particular Homer’s ‘Odyssey’. Truth and reality are often elusive, as the book makes much of different versions of truth and family history. The figure of the Bosco’s father (who we finally meet near the very end of the book) is the subject of much of these variations of truth, and the book makes much of its themes of family and inheritance. Indeed, the book itself – as we come to learn – is Llew’s own way of trying to pin down exactly what did, or didn’t, happen, interspersed as it is by the framing device of him being in prison for reasons yet to be explained.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book; the cast of characters are well-drawn and carry the story along in a roller-coaster ride. By the end Llew does indeed seem to be a changed man, more willing to step forward and take chances in life now that his time with the Bosco family is over. This is well worth a read for sure, its sheer vitality will sweep you along.
(With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review.)
It is a well-used trope in literature: an outsider, someone a bit lost in their life, is accepted into a family or social group – usually made up of eccentric or larger-than-life characters – and experiences adventures or events which change their life. In ‘Butterfly Joe’, which is set in the summer of 1987, we meet Llewellyn Jones, a Welshman staying at his aunt’s house in the Catskill Mountains, who encounters the brother and sister pairing of Joe and Mary-Anne Bosco. Thus starts Llew’s extraordinary journey as he is taken on as Sales Manager for the Bosco’s ‘business’ of selling dead butterflies in display cases, and he is re-named Rip Van Jones by the exuberant and chaotic Joe. The whole Bosco clan are generally oddballs - from the domineering matriarch Edith to the other sister Isabelle, and the various waifs and strays that have been taken in over the years – and their house is a ramshackle mansion that used to belong to an arms manufacturer.
Part road trip, part satire on the American dream, part crime novel – it’s hard to classify the book, and in the background are several references to Greek epics and in particular Homer’s ‘Odyssey’. Truth and reality are often elusive, as the book makes much of different versions of truth and family history. The figure of the Bosco’s father (who we finally meet near the very end of the book) is the subject of much of these variations of truth, and the book makes much of its themes of family and inheritance. Indeed, the book itself – as we come to learn – is Llew’s own way of trying to pin down exactly what did, or didn’t, happen, interspersed as it is by the framing device of him being in prison for reasons yet to be explained.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book; the cast of characters are well-drawn and carry the story along in a roller-coaster ride. By the end Llew does indeed seem to be a changed man, more willing to step forward and take chances in life now that his time with the Bosco family is over. This is well worth a read for sure, its sheer vitality will sweep you along.
(With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review.)
December 6, 2018
The Killing of Butterfly Joe is a quirky novel about butterflies, lies, and a road trip. Llew Jones is a Welshman in America, looking for an American adventure he could write about. A chance encounter with Joe Bosco, charismatic butterfly salesman with an unusual family and morphing past, sets Llew—newly christened Rip Van Jones—across 1980s America in search of butterfly fortune. However, all does not go to plan, and telling the truth becomes vital.
Filmic in its combination of road trip, thriller, and morality tale elements, this is a novel that is bold and charming like its titular character. Considering it is centred around selling dead butterflies, it is surprisingly gripping, using a framing device of Llew telling the story to prove his innocence combined with a story that doesn't seem like it's going to end in death. A real focus of the novel is upon truth, lies, and telling your own versions of stories, from sales techniques to finding out people might be exactly as described. This gives it a nice metafictional aspect along with a narrator clearly trying to craft a narrative.
It is the combination of elements—characters, tension, road trip, telling stories—that really make The Killing of Butterfly Joe come together into an unusual novel, a charming and fun read. It is a book for people who enjoy personal mythology and a character being pulled into the world of an eccentric family, but also a narrative with tension and entertainment.
Filmic in its combination of road trip, thriller, and morality tale elements, this is a novel that is bold and charming like its titular character. Considering it is centred around selling dead butterflies, it is surprisingly gripping, using a framing device of Llew telling the story to prove his innocence combined with a story that doesn't seem like it's going to end in death. A real focus of the novel is upon truth, lies, and telling your own versions of stories, from sales techniques to finding out people might be exactly as described. This gives it a nice metafictional aspect along with a narrator clearly trying to craft a narrative.
It is the combination of elements—characters, tension, road trip, telling stories—that really make The Killing of Butterfly Joe come together into an unusual novel, a charming and fun read. It is a book for people who enjoy personal mythology and a character being pulled into the world of an eccentric family, but also a narrative with tension and entertainment.
November 11, 2025
"People say happy endings are for the fools and the crazies. Then I’m with the fools and the crazies. This story ain’t done yet and no matter what happens in between, it will end well.”
December 14, 2025
À mi-chemin entre le récit d’aventure et le drame familial. Personnages complexes et nombreux rebondissements décrits dans un vocabulaire plutôt riche. J'aurais bien mis 4,5/5.
July 25, 2023
An interesting book that had been sat on my shelf for sometime. Well I'm glad I finally got round to reading this quirky well written book, with characters that you fall in and out of favour with throughout. This had the feel of Where the Crawdads sing and The Sisters Brothers which is no bad thing. It's well worth a try if you want something a bit different.
October 1, 2020
I could tell from the moment I picked this up that I’d be rating it as a 4 star book; in other words, one that I’ll enjoy (and did) but that doesn’t offer any radically different perspective or style to other similar books that I’ve read.
It follows the well trodden track of exploring the seduction of the American Dream and the realisation that it’s either an unobtainable ideal or one that’s only realised through hard compromise and unpalatable trade-offs and ends up being tainted or soulless as a result.
Rhidian Brook uses the story of Butterfly Joe to tell us a parable: that the obsession with the American Dream is a safety net, a known fallacy, that helps us to feel like our endeavours are leading somewhere, when in reality most of us are failing or vulnerable. What makes it such a dangerous preoccupation, is it’s ability to corrupt our decision making, which often only puts the dream further from reach.
Brook does an excellent job of exploiting the metaphor in this book. He’s crammed this book with every analogy he could think of to explain the duality of the American Dream; essentially showing a glossy, appealing facade covering an absence or a scene of despair but still retaining its appeal. We have flamboyantly-coloured dead butterflies, spectacles of nature’s beauty as well as symbols of the compromise needed to retain it. We have two sisters, one that’s eager to exploit her sexuality to cover her flaws and the other that’s plain but more substantial and lovable. We even have theology, with the question as to whether Eve’s actions in the Garden on Eden that were led by desire were justified or just proof of the folly of our impulses.
Occasionally the metaphors are a little ham-fisted or just outright blatant, but you certainly couldn’t accuse Brook of failing to get the point across. You also can’t accuse him of overwhelming the novel with themes. There’s really only one main thread that is explored through the novel and that makes it a clean and rather satisfying experience.
Generally speaking I enjoyed the writing style and found it easy yet enjoyable to digest. I can imagine it making an excellent movie or limited TV series at some point in the not too distant future.
It follows the well trodden track of exploring the seduction of the American Dream and the realisation that it’s either an unobtainable ideal or one that’s only realised through hard compromise and unpalatable trade-offs and ends up being tainted or soulless as a result.
Rhidian Brook uses the story of Butterfly Joe to tell us a parable: that the obsession with the American Dream is a safety net, a known fallacy, that helps us to feel like our endeavours are leading somewhere, when in reality most of us are failing or vulnerable. What makes it such a dangerous preoccupation, is it’s ability to corrupt our decision making, which often only puts the dream further from reach.
Brook does an excellent job of exploiting the metaphor in this book. He’s crammed this book with every analogy he could think of to explain the duality of the American Dream; essentially showing a glossy, appealing facade covering an absence or a scene of despair but still retaining its appeal. We have flamboyantly-coloured dead butterflies, spectacles of nature’s beauty as well as symbols of the compromise needed to retain it. We have two sisters, one that’s eager to exploit her sexuality to cover her flaws and the other that’s plain but more substantial and lovable. We even have theology, with the question as to whether Eve’s actions in the Garden on Eden that were led by desire were justified or just proof of the folly of our impulses.
Occasionally the metaphors are a little ham-fisted or just outright blatant, but you certainly couldn’t accuse Brook of failing to get the point across. You also can’t accuse him of overwhelming the novel with themes. There’s really only one main thread that is explored through the novel and that makes it a clean and rather satisfying experience.
Generally speaking I enjoyed the writing style and found it easy yet enjoyable to digest. I can imagine it making an excellent movie or limited TV series at some point in the not too distant future.
March 7, 2019
It’s hard to know where to start describing this excellent novel, part an existential journey across 1980s America, part Southern Gothic novel (including a hugely dysfunctional family) and part a story of a butterfly salesmen - ‘A butterfly in every home’.
This is a tale of Welshman Llew Jones’s chance meeting with the enigmatic and endearing Joe Bosco who promises to take Llew on an incredible journey; a journey that involves helping to sell the family’s butterfly collection, facing the law, dealing with ruthless collectors and dealing with Joe's formidable hillbilly mother Edith and her very different daughters Isabelle and Mary.
This beautifully told, almost poetic, story has some wonderfully strong imagery. It is a book I found hard to put down as you’re drawn into this most unusual and extraordinary world.
Rob D
This is a tale of Welshman Llew Jones’s chance meeting with the enigmatic and endearing Joe Bosco who promises to take Llew on an incredible journey; a journey that involves helping to sell the family’s butterfly collection, facing the law, dealing with ruthless collectors and dealing with Joe's formidable hillbilly mother Edith and her very different daughters Isabelle and Mary.
This beautifully told, almost poetic, story has some wonderfully strong imagery. It is a book I found hard to put down as you’re drawn into this most unusual and extraordinary world.
Rob D
July 14, 2024
I liked this book but it dragged on a bit for me. It was interesting and it had a style about it, like old American road trips or something. The characters were really well written and had authentic voices.
Plot for my memory. Welsh guy is hanging out in America wanting to be a writer, meets a guy and his sister who sell butterflies. He starts working for them and gets tangled up in the family. There’s a lot of family history and he ends up pretending Butterfly Joe is dead, bringing back the dad because of some issue with the ownership of the rare butterflies and the dad screws them over. The mum sets them on fire, I can’t remember the end so I guess I was skimming by then!
Plot for my memory. Welsh guy is hanging out in America wanting to be a writer, meets a guy and his sister who sell butterflies. He starts working for them and gets tangled up in the family. There’s a lot of family history and he ends up pretending Butterfly Joe is dead, bringing back the dad because of some issue with the ownership of the rare butterflies and the dad screws them over. The mum sets them on fire, I can’t remember the end so I guess I was skimming by then!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2021
A beautiful book!
It makes me want to read more from this author.
It makes me want to read more from this author.
June 26, 2019
It was a really nice book with the main character growing so much, mentally. I thought it was an amazing read!
February 1, 2023
It is a privilege for me to say that Lauren and I received this book as a gift from Rhidian and his wonderful wife Nicola whom we befriended at church in Jerusalem. I should also say that becoming friends with someone before reading their novel really affects the reading experience in an enjoyable way. Rhidian's prose is so much fun. It has all the sarcasm and bite of the British, but with an endearing quality that shows itself in his continual little metaphors and clever dialogue. The characters in this wild story were a treat, especially as Rhidian continually played with Christ imagery and related paradigms in a compelling way. But in no way should anyone mistake this dramatically beautiful story as mere Chrisian-isms. It is nothing of the sort. It was also a joy to meet America through the eyes of a Welsh man and to cherish her unique beauty and challenges. I had a lot of fun with this and look forward to reading some of his other novels.
High recommendation to anyone looking for an entertaining and enjoyable read.
High recommendation to anyone looking for an entertaining and enjoyable read.
October 16, 2019
Je suis partagée dans l'écriture de mon avis.
D'une part, j'ai aimé les différents personnages que contient L'étrange histoire du collectionneur de papillons, car ils sont tous attachants d'une manière ou d'une autre. J'ai su me mettre à la place de (presque) chacun, comprenant leurs défauts et leurs morales.
D'une autre part, j'ai eu envie de poser le livre à plusieurs reprises. Pour être complètement honnête, ce n'est pas le genre de livre que j'ai l'habitude de lire, mais l'histoire des papillons avait piqué ma curiosité. J'ai trouvé le déroulement des événements plutôt long, rempli de doutes. Le secret familial, les non-dits et la vérité d'un père absent qui est la cause de tout... La fin aussi m'a laissé perplexe et j'avais imaginé une autre chute, ce qui a, sans aucun doute, biaisé mon avis sur ce bouquin.
Le petit + : le nom des papillons, leur étymologie et les descriptions complètes de ces insectes.
D'une part, j'ai aimé les différents personnages que contient L'étrange histoire du collectionneur de papillons, car ils sont tous attachants d'une manière ou d'une autre. J'ai su me mettre à la place de (presque) chacun, comprenant leurs défauts et leurs morales.
D'une autre part, j'ai eu envie de poser le livre à plusieurs reprises. Pour être complètement honnête, ce n'est pas le genre de livre que j'ai l'habitude de lire, mais l'histoire des papillons avait piqué ma curiosité. J'ai trouvé le déroulement des événements plutôt long, rempli de doutes. Le secret familial, les non-dits et la vérité d'un père absent qui est la cause de tout... La fin aussi m'a laissé perplexe et j'avais imaginé une autre chute, ce qui a, sans aucun doute, biaisé mon avis sur ce bouquin.
Le petit + : le nom des papillons, leur étymologie et les descriptions complètes de ces insectes.
May 18, 2021
Have you ever wonder how or why for that matter, an author comes up with the topic of their book? This is one where I ask the question? AND most importantly thoroughly applauded his work.
It is a truly enthralling book that begins with you immediately asking questions, and wanting to know what is going to happen.
BROOK'S articulate knowledge of language, phrases and most importantly, how to write is just so evident in this book. I cannot recall any flaws or errors, or any time I might have questioned 'why did he write that, or what is this leading to'?
This is a book that gives you implacable faith in the author and his ability to entertain.
I have written this review, as usual, without any research or reading BROOK'S history, but I will definitely be looking for more of his works.
Highly recommended.
It is a truly enthralling book that begins with you immediately asking questions, and wanting to know what is going to happen.
BROOK'S articulate knowledge of language, phrases and most importantly, how to write is just so evident in this book. I cannot recall any flaws or errors, or any time I might have questioned 'why did he write that, or what is this leading to'?
This is a book that gives you implacable faith in the author and his ability to entertain.
I have written this review, as usual, without any research or reading BROOK'S history, but I will definitely be looking for more of his works.
Highly recommended.
March 16, 2025
A totally original and clever novel that deserves more attention. The unusual subject and a well woven plot had me intrigued from the first page.
Interesting and some beautiful quirky characters with each one having their own small story in the larger family saga.
I loved the playing with words by Brooks. The English language has been enhanced by his characters' cleverness.
For me this book has all the points for making a great read
• well paced, building the suspense and keeping me engaged
• strong dialogue, evocative language,
• human connections via love, loss, fear, ambition, friendships
• engaging plot, well developed characters, resolved ending.
A twist at the end.
'In the words of Joe Butterfly 'A book written in full-fat panavision.'
Interesting and some beautiful quirky characters with each one having their own small story in the larger family saga.
I loved the playing with words by Brooks. The English language has been enhanced by his characters' cleverness.
For me this book has all the points for making a great read
• well paced, building the suspense and keeping me engaged
• strong dialogue, evocative language,
• human connections via love, loss, fear, ambition, friendships
• engaging plot, well developed characters, resolved ending.
A twist at the end.
'In the words of Joe Butterfly 'A book written in full-fat panavision.'
December 1, 2018
There's some really good characters in this ... a whole family of them in fact.
There's some good scenarios too... I found the whole butterfly thing quite interesting.... all the species,the laws of how they're caught and sold.
How they're caught.
Really the book as fairly decent.
Just didn't have anything extra to get me excited about it.
There's some good scenarios too... I found the whole butterfly thing quite interesting.... all the species,the laws of how they're caught and sold.
How they're caught.
Really the book as fairly decent.
Just didn't have anything extra to get me excited about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2021
This just wasn't for me. I felt the main character and the main storyline were very unoriginal, and the main character so unlikeable that I just didn't feel compelled to read on. I was tempted to skip to the end so I would know what happened to Joe, and that's about the worst thing that can happen when reading a book.
July 30, 2022
Kopumā, grūti formulēt, ko domāju par šo grāmatu. Stāsts noteikti nebija tas aizraujošākais, tam pietrūka kādas kulminācijas sajūtas, taču paši varoņi bija varen krāšņi un spilgti. Grāmata ir, lai baudītu cilvēkus un cilvēku pieredzes. Noteikti ne izcils darbs, bet feina valoda un orģināla tēma par taureņu tirdzniecību, kā arī gana daudz asprātības.
May 31, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ would have liked a bit more of a bromance with Rip and Joe as I felt it wasn’t quite portrayed enough to believe the intensity of the friendship. Also would have liked a bit more ‘American road trip’ and maybe less of Rip trying to get his leg over with Mary or Isabelle at every given opportunity. Really enjoyed the writing style and looking forward to watching the film!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 18, 2024
lo compré porque tenía bonita portada y estaba muy barato y realmente me sorprendió. es un libro que mezcla aventura, poesía, ciencia y algo de misterio de una manera muy ligera de leer y entretenida.
viajar por estados unidos vendiendo mariposas en vitrinas resulta ser lo más normal de esta historia; conoces a profundidad a cada personaje y al final todo cae donde debe de caer.
viajar por estados unidos vendiendo mariposas en vitrinas resulta ser lo más normal de esta historia; conoces a profundidad a cada personaje y al final todo cae donde debe de caer.
December 1, 2025
Gir litt samme stemning som «the Lincoln Highway» av Amor Towles. Rikt persongalleri man ikke blir helt klok på, men synes det er noe av sjarmen med boka. Plottmessig er store deler av boka ganske spennende, men blir litt mange elementer som er flate. Kunne gjerne tenkt meg at slutten var strukket ut noe mer og ikke så rusha
February 6, 2020
Je n’ai pas vu la fin de ce livre....je me suis sincèrement ennuyée et j’ai pris aucun plaisir à le lire. Et pourtant, la quatrième de couverture promettant une belle aventure... mais bon, je n’ai pas du tout accroché, ni aux personnages, ni à l’intrigue..
September 1, 2025
Una historia muy adictiva con buena narrativa y que te mantiene al filo del asiento por querer saber lo que sucederá a continuación, fue una aventura distinta y excéntrica, con un humor levemente oscuro que pocos llegan a soportar, definitivamente una de mis historias favoritas del año.
August 28, 2018
Great book, I loved it from beginning to end. Really well developed characters and a very original storyline. Would make a cracking film !
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