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The Butterfly Effect: A Novel
A feminist Man Called Ove meets Graeme Simsion's The Rosie Project in this rollicking tale of a grumpy introvert, her astonishing lack of social conduct and empirical data-driven approach to people and relationships.
Is there such a thing as an anti-social butterfly? If there were, Greta Oto would know about it--and totally relate. An entomologist, Greta far prefers the company of bugs to humans, and that's okay, because people don't seem to like her all that much anyway, with the exception of her twin brother, Danny, though they've recently had a falling out. So when she lands a research gig in the rainforest, she leaves it all behind.
But when Greta learns that Danny has suffered an aneurysm and is now hospitalized, she abandons her research and hurries home to the middle of nowhere America to be there for her brother. But there's only so much she can do, and unfortunately just like insects, humans don't stay cooped up in their hives either--they buzz about and... socialize. Coming home means confronting all that she left behind, including her lousy soon-to-be sister-in-law, her estranged mother, and her ex-boyfriend Brandon who has conveniently found a new non-lab-exclusive partner with shiny hair, perfect teeth, and can actually remember the names of the people she meets right away. Being that Brandon runs the only butterfly conservatory in town, and her dissertation is now in jeopardy, taking that job, being back home, it's all creating chaos of Greta's perfectly catalogued and compartmentalized world.
The Butterfly Effect is an honest tale of self-discovery, about the behavior of bugs (and people), how they can be altered by high-pressure climates, confused by breakdowns in communication, and most importantly, how they can rehabilitate themselves and each other.
Is there such a thing as an anti-social butterfly? If there were, Greta Oto would know about it--and totally relate. An entomologist, Greta far prefers the company of bugs to humans, and that's okay, because people don't seem to like her all that much anyway, with the exception of her twin brother, Danny, though they've recently had a falling out. So when she lands a research gig in the rainforest, she leaves it all behind.
But when Greta learns that Danny has suffered an aneurysm and is now hospitalized, she abandons her research and hurries home to the middle of nowhere America to be there for her brother. But there's only so much she can do, and unfortunately just like insects, humans don't stay cooped up in their hives either--they buzz about and... socialize. Coming home means confronting all that she left behind, including her lousy soon-to-be sister-in-law, her estranged mother, and her ex-boyfriend Brandon who has conveniently found a new non-lab-exclusive partner with shiny hair, perfect teeth, and can actually remember the names of the people she meets right away. Being that Brandon runs the only butterfly conservatory in town, and her dissertation is now in jeopardy, taking that job, being back home, it's all creating chaos of Greta's perfectly catalogued and compartmentalized world.
The Butterfly Effect is an honest tale of self-discovery, about the behavior of bugs (and people), how they can be altered by high-pressure climates, confused by breakdowns in communication, and most importantly, how they can rehabilitate themselves and each other.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2020
128 people are currently reading
4799 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Mans McKenny
2 books191 followersRachel Mans McKenny is a writer and humorist from the Midwest. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, McSweeney's, Elle, InStyle, and other outlets. The Butterfly Effect is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews
April 24, 2020
I wrote this! I hope you like it, and maybe after you’re done you’ll further appreciate insects and women who are perpetually prompted to smile more.
August 24, 2020
I liked The Butterfly Effect because the positive to liking and understanding insects more than people is rather intriguing. What you see is what you get when a butterfly lands on your finger; if he wants to be someplace else, he simply flies away. So there's no 'does he/doesn't he' relationship going on.
I also liked that Greta was not initially likable. Also, there's the whole twin thing. I find the relationship between twins fascinating in an almost sacred way.
Well-written and entertaining, I highly recommend this book.
I also liked that Greta was not initially likable. Also, there's the whole twin thing. I find the relationship between twins fascinating in an almost sacred way.
Well-written and entertaining, I highly recommend this book.
July 24, 2020
Wonderful! Absolutely loved it!
July 13, 2021
I really enjoyed reading The Butterfly Effect by Rachel Mans McKenny for one of the most unforgettable characters I have read. Greta Oto is an especially unique protagonist - an unpleasant grouch, whom I think would thrive living in this current pandemic. Greta would only be so happy with these stay-at-home orders and maintaining the 6 feet apart distance from everyone else, not having to socialize nor talk to anyone, unless you are an insect, that is. Greta’s character really appealed to me the more ornery she gets the more I adored her.
When Greta’s twin brother suffers a life threatening brain aneurysm, she abandons her PhD research in entomology in Costa Rica, flies back to the Midwest, and back to the life and people she had left behind.
Mans McKenny writes a heartwarming and uplifting story about families, people, bugs, and effects of human behavior. The writing was deft, clever, and well researched. I really enjoyed those fun facts about bugs dispersed throughout the book and the well weaved storyline that incorporates the past into the present.
When Greta’s twin brother suffers a life threatening brain aneurysm, she abandons her PhD research in entomology in Costa Rica, flies back to the Midwest, and back to the life and people she had left behind.
Mans McKenny writes a heartwarming and uplifting story about families, people, bugs, and effects of human behavior. The writing was deft, clever, and well researched. I really enjoyed those fun facts about bugs dispersed throughout the book and the well weaved storyline that incorporates the past into the present.
July 29, 2020
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I'm going to rate this one a 3.8 out of 5, rounded up to a four. This novel is well-written, instructive, and often perceptive. There were a few passages that could have been omitted and I admit I started skimming over some of the flash backs, because they came across as filler and didn't really drive the action forward or enhance our knowledge of the characters or the story line. The long, drawn out dissection of why Greta was such a grump does not endear her to the reader. And yet I still give this a high rating because there were entire sections of this book that were quite well done. (The filler and often ill=placed flash backs got in its way, I suspect.)
In The Butterfly Effect, Greta and Daniel are twins. Daniel is the sunshine to Greta's dark night. Their personalities are polar opposites, yet when Daniel suffers a near fatal, debilitating illness, Greta immediately abandons her PhD work/study program in Costa Rica to help her brother in any way she can.
Greta has a habit of pushing people away with her abrupt, dismissive manner. For the majority of this novel, she also pushes away the reader - I wondered if Greta had Asperger's Syndrome. She was very self-absorbed: she certainly had no sense of anyone else's feelings or needs, other than her own. I couldn't understand why Max was such a devoted friend, and why Brandon professed to having loved her. She was impossible, rude and self-pitying. She was an incredibly negative person. Her treatment of her mother, Martha, and Daniel's fiancee, Meg, was insufferable! Why they even bothered with her after she constantly treated them so horribly has me totally baffled! Greta was rude, arrogant and downright mean!
And what gives with all the male attraction? Was Greta physically attractive? It didn't appear so. The third person narrator often described Greta's appearance as shabby, her hair unkempt and drab. ( I often wondered if the author would have done better to write this in the first person narrative. The narrative focus got blurred a time or two.) But, ah, yes, I'm forgetting: Greta had a brilliant scientific mind, and was better at creating insect traps than Brandon. See? That's all it takes to attract the opposite sex: a brilliant mind, right? Hmmmm. While the author appears to know a lot about the mating rituals of insects, I'm thinking that she may have skipped a chapter or two regarding human sexual attraction. Greta is described as a Hitlerite - an aloof, arrogant slob - and just about everything that came out of her mouth was an insult or a slur. Captivating, right? I'm still scratching my head over that one, folks. And yet somehow, despite these many discrepancies, I still enjoyed reading this book - for the most part - and couldn't wait to get back to it after work each day.
Do we get our expected HEA? Let me assure you that we do, but with some subtle, unexpected twists. Greta isn't the only one being led on a wild goose chase. You might find that you don't start warming up to Greta until around the 70% mark on your ereader. There are some memorable lines here and there about how certain behaviours (a gambling addiction - for Martha/ holding on to anger - for Greta) can feed on themselves and wreck your life. There are also several insightful passages that provide hope for this shipwrecked family. It will be interesting to see what other readers make of this rather rough gem.
I'm going to rate this one a 3.8 out of 5, rounded up to a four. This novel is well-written, instructive, and often perceptive. There were a few passages that could have been omitted and I admit I started skimming over some of the flash backs, because they came across as filler and didn't really drive the action forward or enhance our knowledge of the characters or the story line. The long, drawn out dissection of why Greta was such a grump does not endear her to the reader. And yet I still give this a high rating because there were entire sections of this book that were quite well done. (The filler and often ill=placed flash backs got in its way, I suspect.)
In The Butterfly Effect, Greta and Daniel are twins. Daniel is the sunshine to Greta's dark night. Their personalities are polar opposites, yet when Daniel suffers a near fatal, debilitating illness, Greta immediately abandons her PhD work/study program in Costa Rica to help her brother in any way she can.
Greta has a habit of pushing people away with her abrupt, dismissive manner. For the majority of this novel, she also pushes away the reader - I wondered if Greta had Asperger's Syndrome. She was very self-absorbed: she certainly had no sense of anyone else's feelings or needs, other than her own. I couldn't understand why Max was such a devoted friend, and why Brandon professed to having loved her. She was impossible, rude and self-pitying. She was an incredibly negative person. Her treatment of her mother, Martha, and Daniel's fiancee, Meg, was insufferable! Why they even bothered with her after she constantly treated them so horribly has me totally baffled! Greta was rude, arrogant and downright mean!
And what gives with all the male attraction? Was Greta physically attractive? It didn't appear so. The third person narrator often described Greta's appearance as shabby, her hair unkempt and drab. ( I often wondered if the author would have done better to write this in the first person narrative. The narrative focus got blurred a time or two.) But, ah, yes, I'm forgetting: Greta had a brilliant scientific mind, and was better at creating insect traps than Brandon. See? That's all it takes to attract the opposite sex: a brilliant mind, right? Hmmmm. While the author appears to know a lot about the mating rituals of insects, I'm thinking that she may have skipped a chapter or two regarding human sexual attraction. Greta is described as a Hitlerite - an aloof, arrogant slob - and just about everything that came out of her mouth was an insult or a slur. Captivating, right? I'm still scratching my head over that one, folks. And yet somehow, despite these many discrepancies, I still enjoyed reading this book - for the most part - and couldn't wait to get back to it after work each day.
Do we get our expected HEA? Let me assure you that we do, but with some subtle, unexpected twists. Greta isn't the only one being led on a wild goose chase. You might find that you don't start warming up to Greta until around the 70% mark on your ereader. There are some memorable lines here and there about how certain behaviours (a gambling addiction - for Martha/ holding on to anger - for Greta) can feed on themselves and wreck your life. There are also several insightful passages that provide hope for this shipwrecked family. It will be interesting to see what other readers make of this rather rough gem.
July 25, 2020
Fabulous read! Highly recommend!
October 5, 2020
There is something so fantastic about falling in love with a book that has an unlikable and, at times unpleasant, protagonist. A person that you find yourself rooting for even as she treats the people around her badly. That was exactly what I found in THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT and I loved every chapter.
Greta Oto is a wonderfully flawed character who prefers the company of butterflies—or any bug actually—to real people. She’s a scientist first in all situations because science she understands; love and friendship not so much. When Greta’s twin brother suffers a brain aneurysm, she must abandon her PhD research project in Costa Rica and return to her small midwestern town to help him. By returning home, Greta must deal not only with the change in Danny, but also confront many of the reasons (and people) that made her want to leave in the first place.
Mans McKenny does a great job of weaving Greta’s family history with the current timeline to give the reader a much better understanding of why Greta is the way she is. And while there were times where I found myself wanting to give Greta a talking to, I always understood why she acted the way she did and, as a result, found myself so much more invested in her journey.
With crisp writing full of wit and insight, THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT is a highly enjoyable read that I encourage you to pick up when it releases on December 8. I know I, for one, am definitely looking forward to reading more from this author.
Big thanks to Alcove Press for the advance reading copy.
Greta Oto is a wonderfully flawed character who prefers the company of butterflies—or any bug actually—to real people. She’s a scientist first in all situations because science she understands; love and friendship not so much. When Greta’s twin brother suffers a brain aneurysm, she must abandon her PhD research project in Costa Rica and return to her small midwestern town to help him. By returning home, Greta must deal not only with the change in Danny, but also confront many of the reasons (and people) that made her want to leave in the first place.
Mans McKenny does a great job of weaving Greta’s family history with the current timeline to give the reader a much better understanding of why Greta is the way she is. And while there were times where I found myself wanting to give Greta a talking to, I always understood why she acted the way she did and, as a result, found myself so much more invested in her journey.
With crisp writing full of wit and insight, THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT is a highly enjoyable read that I encourage you to pick up when it releases on December 8. I know I, for one, am definitely looking forward to reading more from this author.
Big thanks to Alcove Press for the advance reading copy.
September 1, 2020
Smart and surly Greta is the lovably-flawed protagonist at the center of Mans McKenny’s delightfully off-kilter debut. Greta’s comically critical point of view interrogates midwestern norms and gendered stereotypes in a story that explores the legacy of familial dysfunction. Come for the butterflies, and stay for Mans McKenny's acerbic authorial eye which examines the complexities of the Midwest and its quiet dramas.
August 17, 2020
I enjoyed this book, the story of Greta who is a scientist currently doing a PhD . She was in Costa Rica undertaking research in a rainforest, but was called back because her twin brother had had a brain haemorrhage . This threw her plans into disarray, though she did find the way to complete alternative research.
It has to be said that Greta is an antisocial person and she and her brother had an unconventional childhood. Their father has passed away and their mother is estranged, though she is back in her brother Danny's life again. Greta narrates the book and seems unable to see a situation from any other viewpoint than her own. It sounds as though she is egotistical, but during the book she comes to more self-awareness and to terms with some of her past which gives her more insight in relationships with others. An interesting read, certainly, though I found myself sometimes thinking "why did you do that ?"
I wanted to read something different and this book certainly fitted the brief .Not the easiest read, but worth the effort
Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
It has to be said that Greta is an antisocial person and she and her brother had an unconventional childhood. Their father has passed away and their mother is estranged, though she is back in her brother Danny's life again. Greta narrates the book and seems unable to see a situation from any other viewpoint than her own. It sounds as though she is egotistical, but during the book she comes to more self-awareness and to terms with some of her past which gives her more insight in relationships with others. An interesting read, certainly, though I found myself sometimes thinking "why did you do that ?"
I wanted to read something different and this book certainly fitted the brief .Not the easiest read, but worth the effort
Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
September 21, 2020
I was sucked into The Butterfly Effect by Rachel Mans McKenny from the start. While some books take a while to draw you in, with this one I was fully immerse in the story on page one and loved it! McKenny writes such real, three dimensional characters. While Greta could be prickly at times, I really wanted to see her succeed and enjoyed seeing where McKenny would lead the story. Unlike other romcoms, The Butterfly Effect dives into family relationships and illness with grace and grit. I think this would make a wonderful book club book. It is fun, witty, sharp and insightful and full of meat that would make for a great discussion. I can't wait to read more from McKenny and hope she's already working on her next book!
December 16, 2020
Originally published on my book blog, TheBibliophage.com.
In the debut novel from Rachel Mans McKenny, The Butterfly Effect, Greta Oto is more a spiny caterpillar than beautiful butterfly. Even though she’s an entomology graduate student, specializing in the winged creatures. She’s not socially comfortable in most situations. Her relationships are off kilter, mostly because of her own tendencies. But McKenny lets us into Greta’s thoughts and her heart, so we understand her more than the people around her.
It’s not just relationships. Greta faces a year that’s not going the least bit how she planned. (Boy, is that 2020 …) She starts an intense Ph.D. research project in Costa Rica, studying glasswing butterflies. Before her research even gets underway, Greta receives a fateful phone call. Her twin brother Danny had a stroke back in Iowa. And at 29 years old, this is a life changer for them both.
Of course, Greta immediately gets on a plane headed home. The research and funding go away and she’s flat broke. Plus, she’s worried about Danny. Did I also mention they haven’t spoken much in the last year? But Greta being Greta, she doesn’t quite know how to manage all this.
Great news—her friend and office mate Max suggests she ask her ex-boyfriend for a job. He manages the University’s Butterfly House, so it’s a good fit for Greta’s skills. Unless you count the inevitable discomfort of working for your ex.
Now that the job situation is settled, Greta needs a place to live besides the nearest cheap hotel. So, she moves into Danny’s apartment with his fiancé Meg. But Meg is pretty much the opposite of Greta in terms of personality. Well really, in terms of everything.
So, you see, Greta is not having the year she planned. And she just has to buck it up and manage. We get that.
My conclusions
I’d be lying if I said Greta was a joy. But she is endearing and relatable, all the same. She loves her brother, struggles with work, worries about where to live. Pretty much like most 29-year-olds. And Mans McKenny knows just how to balance the prickly moments with the sweeter ones.
Greta made me laugh with her awkwardness. And yet there are no tropes here—she is wholly unique in her blend of science, Star Trek geekiness, and self knowledge. Yes, she knows her inclination is to say or do the wrong thing. But that doesn’t stop Greta from caring about her people, being angry when it’s warranted, and growing into a more mature human by the novel’s end.
Having lived with my own neurological issues, I also related to Danny’s recovery process. He’s a music teacher who may never experience music the same way again. And Greta doesn’t know whether to do too much for him or let him fail a bit. That’s a common caregiver concern. Again, Mans McKenny writes the situation like real caregiving feels—not easy but also possible with a little time and adjustment.
Mans McKenny walks the fine line between humor and insight into humanity. She writes a feel-good novel that had me giggling, groaning, and caring about its characters. I recommend this if you like character-driven contemporary fiction with a savory side helping of real life.
Pair with R.L. Maizes’ 2020 book, Other People’s Pets. Or if you enjoy a rough-edges main character, pair this with Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. They all remind me of each other in tone, even though each is wholly itself.
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to NetGalley, Alcove Press, and the author for a digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for this honest review.
In the debut novel from Rachel Mans McKenny, The Butterfly Effect, Greta Oto is more a spiny caterpillar than beautiful butterfly. Even though she’s an entomology graduate student, specializing in the winged creatures. She’s not socially comfortable in most situations. Her relationships are off kilter, mostly because of her own tendencies. But McKenny lets us into Greta’s thoughts and her heart, so we understand her more than the people around her.
It’s not just relationships. Greta faces a year that’s not going the least bit how she planned. (Boy, is that 2020 …) She starts an intense Ph.D. research project in Costa Rica, studying glasswing butterflies. Before her research even gets underway, Greta receives a fateful phone call. Her twin brother Danny had a stroke back in Iowa. And at 29 years old, this is a life changer for them both.
Of course, Greta immediately gets on a plane headed home. The research and funding go away and she’s flat broke. Plus, she’s worried about Danny. Did I also mention they haven’t spoken much in the last year? But Greta being Greta, she doesn’t quite know how to manage all this.
Great news—her friend and office mate Max suggests she ask her ex-boyfriend for a job. He manages the University’s Butterfly House, so it’s a good fit for Greta’s skills. Unless you count the inevitable discomfort of working for your ex.
Now that the job situation is settled, Greta needs a place to live besides the nearest cheap hotel. So, she moves into Danny’s apartment with his fiancé Meg. But Meg is pretty much the opposite of Greta in terms of personality. Well really, in terms of everything.
So, you see, Greta is not having the year she planned. And she just has to buck it up and manage. We get that.
My conclusions
I’d be lying if I said Greta was a joy. But she is endearing and relatable, all the same. She loves her brother, struggles with work, worries about where to live. Pretty much like most 29-year-olds. And Mans McKenny knows just how to balance the prickly moments with the sweeter ones.
Greta made me laugh with her awkwardness. And yet there are no tropes here—she is wholly unique in her blend of science, Star Trek geekiness, and self knowledge. Yes, she knows her inclination is to say or do the wrong thing. But that doesn’t stop Greta from caring about her people, being angry when it’s warranted, and growing into a more mature human by the novel’s end.
Having lived with my own neurological issues, I also related to Danny’s recovery process. He’s a music teacher who may never experience music the same way again. And Greta doesn’t know whether to do too much for him or let him fail a bit. That’s a common caregiver concern. Again, Mans McKenny writes the situation like real caregiving feels—not easy but also possible with a little time and adjustment.
Mans McKenny walks the fine line between humor and insight into humanity. She writes a feel-good novel that had me giggling, groaning, and caring about its characters. I recommend this if you like character-driven contemporary fiction with a savory side helping of real life.
Pair with R.L. Maizes’ 2020 book, Other People’s Pets. Or if you enjoy a rough-edges main character, pair this with Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. They all remind me of each other in tone, even though each is wholly itself.
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to NetGalley, Alcove Press, and the author for a digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for this honest review.
September 18, 2020
A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This is not my usual genre, however I wanted to take the opportunity to read something from outside my norm. And I am glad I did!! Thank you for opening up my mind to something totally different. Characters were so well developed that I felt as though I knew them. I love when a book draws you into the story and it feels like you are living it with them.
This is not my usual genre, however I wanted to take the opportunity to read something from outside my norm. And I am glad I did!! Thank you for opening up my mind to something totally different. Characters were so well developed that I felt as though I knew them. I love when a book draws you into the story and it feels like you are living it with them.
August 3, 2020
This is a rather interesting book. Greta is definitely different from the typical romance character. The insect discussions make this book unique. I really like Greta at the end but it does take a while to warm up to her because she is unusual. I like the HEA and the twists along the way.
August 3, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy for my honest review. I loved the idea of this book and I thought it was very well done. The author knows her butterflies!! I could have done without a lot of the flashbacks as they really weren’t important to the story line. Also the ending felt really rushed. I am happy with it but would have loved some more details (trying not to spoil). All in all I loved the book!
August 7, 2020
I did not relate to the main character, Greta, and that is a good thing. Greta has issues. Lots and lots of issues. She is socially awkward with severe parental abandonment issues. Greta is blunt and accurately compares herself to the Star Trek Borg when it comes to relating to others. Greta is in school working on her doctorate which is about insects. Just as she is heading to Costa Rica she receives a call about her brother, her twin, who has suffered from an aneurism and is hospitalized. The story then revolves around her relationship and feelings about her brother, family, his fiance, and to a lesser extent her ex-boyfriend, Brandon, and her friend and fellow student Max. She now works for Brandon who already has a Ph.D. and is the one who started her love of all things butterfly. He is now in a committed relationship with someone else. The book was very well written. This is not a light-hearted feel-good story. It is kind of heavy and angsty which is not a criticism. Life is not perfect and we are all flawed. It hurts to see the pain Greta is feeling. Sometimes I want to read fantasy fiction that is all HEA and instalove and that is not this story. This story is real and gritty and describes real people and realistic circumstances but does end on a positive note with real character growth which I really enjoyed. All in all, I think this book was just shy of 4 stars but it was more than a three due to how well written and solid the storyline was so I rounded up. Another benefit to this story is you will learn a lot more about butterflies and insects than you did before so enjoy.
ARC received by Netgalley for an honest review.
ARC received by Netgalley for an honest review.
October 16, 2020
I liked this book right from the beginning. The story is good, the writing is great and the characters are well sketched out. Greta is not very likeable but the other characters make up for it. in fact, at times, i even wondered why others even tolerated Greta and her behaviour. This book talks about family and why it is important to have a support system without sounding preachy. Overall, a funny and insightful book. I will look forward to reading more from Rachel Mans McKenny.
Thanks to Netgalley and Alcove Press for giving me this ARC in exchange of an honest review.
3.5 stars rounded to 4.
Thanks to Netgalley and Alcove Press for giving me this ARC in exchange of an honest review.
3.5 stars rounded to 4.
January 8, 2021
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“The Butterfly Effect” is a lovely contemporary tale about family and reconnecting, and I enjoyed reading it.
To begin with, the author has a lovely style of writing. I loved the number of details she added to the story. It was clear that she made a lot of research and effort into writing this novel. I love how it blended with the storyline. I am not an Entomology expert, but it was fascinating reading Greta’s personal comparisons to those of birds and insects. She also writes the narrative in an attractive manner, where nearly every chapter takes Greta to recall her life experiences. On a side note, I loved the Star Trek references that made my inner Trekkie jump in glee.
The characters are also well-drawn, where you feel like you are reading about your own family. Greta was impressive in the lead, and I thought the author elaborately wrote her. But, more than Greta, I loved Danny, and he made the story memorable. I loved the details that the author provides about the symptoms Danny faces before and the after-effects of surgery. Many of his scenes were unique, like how he reacts to the candle on his birthday. Or how he cannot differentiate colors when he goes to the story.
However, while I enjoyed reading this tale, at times, it was tough to support Greta. While I could relate to her emotions, at times, she was infuriating for how she reacts. Moreover, after reading about her past, I didn’t understand why she would behave that way with her family.
Apart from that, I enjoyed this book and thought it was a charming contemporary read.
November 29, 2020
Rachel Mans McKenny, the author of “The Butterfly Effect” has written a memorable, thought-provoking, and heartfelt novel. The genres for this novel are Contemporary Fiction and Fiction. The timeline for this story is set in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events. The author describes her cast of dramatic characters as flawed, complex, and complicated. This is a story of self-awareness, growth, communication, forgiveness, and second chances. I love the way the author visually describes the settings and the characters in this story.
Greta Oto is totally a scientist in every sense of the word. Her life revolves around the scientific method and her appreciation of insects and bugs. Greta notes the challenges that bugs respond to in the environment. If Greta could devise an approach like this to people, it probably would make her life easier. Greta is an introvert and has problems dealing with people or even showing compassion or love, unlike her twin brother Danny.
Greta is working out of the country but comes back when Danny has an aneurysm. The two had a falling out, but she wants to be there for her brother. In order to afford to live here, Greta takes a job studying butterflies with her ex-boyfriend. She also has to deal with Danny’s perfect fiancee and her mother who has re-surfaced after abandoning both Danny and Greta years before.
I would highly recommend this thought-provoking and memorable novel.
Greta Oto is totally a scientist in every sense of the word. Her life revolves around the scientific method and her appreciation of insects and bugs. Greta notes the challenges that bugs respond to in the environment. If Greta could devise an approach like this to people, it probably would make her life easier. Greta is an introvert and has problems dealing with people or even showing compassion or love, unlike her twin brother Danny.
Greta is working out of the country but comes back when Danny has an aneurysm. The two had a falling out, but she wants to be there for her brother. In order to afford to live here, Greta takes a job studying butterflies with her ex-boyfriend. She also has to deal with Danny’s perfect fiancee and her mother who has re-surfaced after abandoning both Danny and Greta years before.
I would highly recommend this thought-provoking and memorable novel.
May 28, 2021
Rachel will be a guest on the podcast soon so I finally read her book. First of all can we just take a moment to appreciate that *at least three* novels came out in 2020 featuring science grad students as protagonists? I always marvel at patterns like that. (the other two being Real Life by Brandon Taylor and Hex by Rebecca Dinerstein Knight.)
Greta is in the middle of PhD research on butterflies in Costa Rica when her twin brother has an aneurysm. Because their family has a history she is the next of kin, and flies back home to Iowa to navigate future sister in law, former boyfriend, losing her funding, and a mother that suddenly wants a relationship after a childhood without. Greta is likeable in her briskness with others and I read this book quickly!
Greta is in the middle of PhD research on butterflies in Costa Rica when her twin brother has an aneurysm. Because their family has a history she is the next of kin, and flies back home to Iowa to navigate future sister in law, former boyfriend, losing her funding, and a mother that suddenly wants a relationship after a childhood without. Greta is likeable in her briskness with others and I read this book quickly!
dnf
October 7, 2020DNF at 15%
It was boring and the female protagonist is selfish. The blurb seemed good and the title was unique, that's why I was a bit excited. However, I just didn't like it.
Arc provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
It was boring and the female protagonist is selfish. The blurb seemed good and the title was unique, that's why I was a bit excited. However, I just didn't like it.
Arc provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
November 16, 2020
Thank you to the author, Alcove Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the unconventional route this story took - making the heroine an entemologist, and showing in practical terms what that means. Not an especially cute and cuddly topic to focus your life's work on (the heroine is a doing a postdoc). But then the heroine herself is pretty much the opposite of cute and cuddly, and her social awkwardness is almost painful at times - not to mention annoying and horribly hurtful for those around her. However, we see what happened to make her retreat into her shell and become the way she is, and what happens to help her overcome at least some of that to start slowly blossoming toward the end. Yes, bug metaphors all the way.
I loved the unconventional route this story took - making the heroine an entemologist, and showing in practical terms what that means. Not an especially cute and cuddly topic to focus your life's work on (the heroine is a doing a postdoc). But then the heroine herself is pretty much the opposite of cute and cuddly, and her social awkwardness is almost painful at times - not to mention annoying and horribly hurtful for those around her. However, we see what happened to make her retreat into her shell and become the way she is, and what happens to help her overcome at least some of that to start slowly blossoming toward the end. Yes, bug metaphors all the way.
September 26, 2020
The Butterfly Effect by Rachel Mans McKenny a discovery of a four-star read. I had hoped this would be amazing, as it looked like it was going that way, and it was very good, but it did miss something, I don’t know if I missed something but I didn’t get Greta Oto on all levels I wondered if I missed something, or we were supposed to pick up on some sort if disability, or she was secretly a hottie who appears like a nerd, I just felt like I missed something, the rest of the story was so well done, I just felt a little lost with that. I did feel for Greta and Daniel though, as myself and my brother are far apart but I know I would drop anything for him, and the story had that feeling for me most of the time, I needed to know what was going to happen next. I would recommend this story and do recommend that you pick it up as its mostly an amazing story and I will definitely be picking up more from this author.
December 14, 2020
The Butterfly Effect // by Rachel Mans McKenny
This book really took me by surprise! I found the description of the book intriguing but did not have many expectations going in. As a fellow introvert, I expected to be able to relate to the main character Greta pretty well and I was right. While I am not quite as anti-social as she is, I did very much understand her line of thinking and her motivations, hopes, and dreams felt understandable and reasonable to me based on her past experiences and feelings towards humanity in general. At the same time, it was satisfying to also be able to see the faults in her actions and thoughts, which made it even more satisfying to see her growth throughout this book. I don't know if McKenny set out to write an unlikable character, which is how I saw other reviewers describe Greta, but to me she was likable exactly because of her honesty and straightforwardness (I do understand why they felt that way though).
I can't say that there was a lot of action in this book that kept the story moving forward. If that is what you enjoy in a book, then this may not be the right one for you. It is slow despite covering an entire year at least (I think) and focuses a lot more on the characters than a specific big event. We get to dive deeply into why Greta feels the way she does about the people in her life and why she goes about her life in the way that she does. If you enjoy learning about people motivations and why they make certain choices, then this is more likely to be your kind of book. The ending tied up neatly, more neatly than I usually enjoy, but it was done so beautifully that I really didn't mind it this time.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I am looking forward to seeing more from this author!
This book really took me by surprise! I found the description of the book intriguing but did not have many expectations going in. As a fellow introvert, I expected to be able to relate to the main character Greta pretty well and I was right. While I am not quite as anti-social as she is, I did very much understand her line of thinking and her motivations, hopes, and dreams felt understandable and reasonable to me based on her past experiences and feelings towards humanity in general. At the same time, it was satisfying to also be able to see the faults in her actions and thoughts, which made it even more satisfying to see her growth throughout this book. I don't know if McKenny set out to write an unlikable character, which is how I saw other reviewers describe Greta, but to me she was likable exactly because of her honesty and straightforwardness (I do understand why they felt that way though).
I can't say that there was a lot of action in this book that kept the story moving forward. If that is what you enjoy in a book, then this may not be the right one for you. It is slow despite covering an entire year at least (I think) and focuses a lot more on the characters than a specific big event. We get to dive deeply into why Greta feels the way she does about the people in her life and why she goes about her life in the way that she does. If you enjoy learning about people motivations and why they make certain choices, then this is more likely to be your kind of book. The ending tied up neatly, more neatly than I usually enjoy, but it was done so beautifully that I really didn't mind it this time.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I am looking forward to seeing more from this author!
October 10, 2020
I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Greta returns home from a doctoral project to help care for her twin brother, Danny, after he suffers an aneurysm. While at home, away from a research project for her dissertation, she encounters many emotional issue--all of which she finds difficult to navigate. Her most pressing issue is the return of her mother, who abandoned the family when the twins were 14. Another issue is her brother's fiance, whom she dislikes. Add to these circumstances, Danny doesn't bounce back, her funding is cut for her project, she doesn't have funds or a secure place to live, and she can't quite figure out the men in her life.
I love Greta. Her struggles are real, and her aspberger-ish way of dealing with life is both amusing and painful.
Greta returns home from a doctoral project to help care for her twin brother, Danny, after he suffers an aneurysm. While at home, away from a research project for her dissertation, she encounters many emotional issue--all of which she finds difficult to navigate. Her most pressing issue is the return of her mother, who abandoned the family when the twins were 14. Another issue is her brother's fiance, whom she dislikes. Add to these circumstances, Danny doesn't bounce back, her funding is cut for her project, she doesn't have funds or a secure place to live, and she can't quite figure out the men in her life.
I love Greta. Her struggles are real, and her aspberger-ish way of dealing with life is both amusing and painful.
January 20, 2021
I couldn't put this book down! Greta is a refreshingly real character dealing with hard things and messy relationships. These days I'm a little weary of bubbly, cute heroines and neatly tied up stories, so THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT was the right book for the moment.
Incredible characters, sly humor, and bug love from Rachel Mans McKenny!
Incredible characters, sly humor, and bug love from Rachel Mans McKenny!
January 1, 2021
Greta is supposed to be in Costa Rica, studying butterflies. Instead, she's flown home to Ames, Iowa, because her twin brother--her only family (or so she'd like you to believe)--has suffered an aneurysm. She doesn't realize she's not going back.
Greta is a tough person to love--for everyone in her life. Watching her stumble and go splat on her face again and again could be painful--but at the same time, there's something winsome about her, for all her prickles. You can't help rooting for her to find her way, to figure out how to stay on her feet and navigate relationships and confront the deep pain that causes her prickles.
Along for the ride is a cast of vivid characters, most of whom I adored--her ex, Brandon (what a great guy!); her only real friend, Max (even greater!); and of course, her brother Danny. As a musician, I felt for Danny, especially, in the loss of his connection with music. A couple other characters I had to learn to love, just like Greta did.
Rachel McKenny weaves a story that's raw and vivid and often uncomfortable, and yet also beautiful in its truth.
Greta is a tough person to love--for everyone in her life. Watching her stumble and go splat on her face again and again could be painful--but at the same time, there's something winsome about her, for all her prickles. You can't help rooting for her to find her way, to figure out how to stay on her feet and navigate relationships and confront the deep pain that causes her prickles.
Along for the ride is a cast of vivid characters, most of whom I adored--her ex, Brandon (what a great guy!); her only real friend, Max (even greater!); and of course, her brother Danny. As a musician, I felt for Danny, especially, in the loss of his connection with music. A couple other characters I had to learn to love, just like Greta did.
Rachel McKenny weaves a story that's raw and vivid and often uncomfortable, and yet also beautiful in its truth.
December 17, 2020
The Butterfly Effect is a unique romcom with wonderful characters and layers of depth to keep you turning pages. Greta was such a refreshing protagonist: complex and reserved with a tender side and an undeniable passion for her career. I learned so much about entomology by seeing the world through her eyes and was invested in her arc from the first page. She grows throughout the book while remaining true to herself, the essence of satisfying character development. Well-developed descriptions that show robust research without being heavy-handed, efficient prose, and moments of humor all weigh in to make for a delightful read.
January 3, 2021
This was such an interesting read for me. It’s firmly located in Ames, Iowa and the surrounding area, and it was a unique experience to read a novel that talked so much about the town I call home! At the center of the book is the relationship between a twin sister (the main protagonist) and her twin brother. As a twin myself, I could also relate to that relationship.
I recommend this book! Especially if you like books about the growth of a character (such as A Man Called Ove or Elinor Oliphant is Completely Fine), family relationships, academia, or books set in the Midwest.
December 26, 2020
Wonderful story, well written. Greta is probably hard to like, but I liked her, anyway, and enjoyed seeing her progress through this book. She prefers the company of butterflies to humans, but when she has to return from Costa Rica and give up her grant in order to care for her ailing brother, she has to deal with the humans. It's hard to believe this is a debut novel. Highly recommended.
October 27, 2020
I absolutely love The Butterfly Effect’s quirky heroine, Greta Oto. She’s socially awkward, loves the Star Trek spin-off The Next Generation, and just wants to spend time with her butterflies and bugs – because they’re so much easier to understand than people.
Still wracked with guilt for not being there for her father when he was dying, Greta feels compelled to leave her PhD research in Costa Rica behind and fly back to Iowa when her twin brother, and musical prodigy, Danny suffers an aneurysm. But, once home, Greta struggles to get along with Danny’s beautiful perky fiancée Meg, their estranged mother Martha who abandoned the family when Greta and Danny were just 14 years old, not to mention Greta’s ex-boyfriend Brandon. Greta has a habit of pushing people away and not seeing past her own discomfort with the complexities of human relationships. Will Greta get it all together before it’s too late?
The novel is a bit slow at times, and I did find myself struggling through a few seemingly forced-in social commentaries that in my opinion weren’t pertinent to the plot.
Overall, the novel is a lovely story of personal growth, and while old with subtlety, the tale has a lot of heart. Another great choice for book clubs from newcomer Alcove Press, an imprint of Crooked Lane Books, which launched its first offerings just a few weeks ago on October 6th, 2020. The Butterfly Effect releases December 8, 2020, along with another Alcove Press forthcoming hit, The Mermaid from Jeju.
Thank you to Rachel Mans McKenney, Alcove Press, and NetGalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review
#TheButterflyEffect
#RachelMansMcKenny
#AlcovePress
#NetGalley
Still wracked with guilt for not being there for her father when he was dying, Greta feels compelled to leave her PhD research in Costa Rica behind and fly back to Iowa when her twin brother, and musical prodigy, Danny suffers an aneurysm. But, once home, Greta struggles to get along with Danny’s beautiful perky fiancée Meg, their estranged mother Martha who abandoned the family when Greta and Danny were just 14 years old, not to mention Greta’s ex-boyfriend Brandon. Greta has a habit of pushing people away and not seeing past her own discomfort with the complexities of human relationships. Will Greta get it all together before it’s too late?
The novel is a bit slow at times, and I did find myself struggling through a few seemingly forced-in social commentaries that in my opinion weren’t pertinent to the plot.
Overall, the novel is a lovely story of personal growth, and while old with subtlety, the tale has a lot of heart. Another great choice for book clubs from newcomer Alcove Press, an imprint of Crooked Lane Books, which launched its first offerings just a few weeks ago on October 6th, 2020. The Butterfly Effect releases December 8, 2020, along with another Alcove Press forthcoming hit, The Mermaid from Jeju.
Thank you to Rachel Mans McKenney, Alcove Press, and NetGalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review
#TheButterflyEffect
#RachelMansMcKenny
#AlcovePress
#NetGalley
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