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The Butterfly's Daughter
Four very different women embark on a transformational journey that follows the migrating monarchs across the United States to Mexico. The story begins when Luz Avila's grandmother, the local butterfly lady, purchases an old, orange VW bug for a road trip home to Mexico. When she unexpectedly dies, Luz is inspired to take her grandmother's ashes home. In the manner of the Aztec myth of the goddess who brings light to the world, Luz attracts a collection of lost women, each seeking change in their lives. The Mexican people believe the monarchs are the spirits of the recently departed and Luz taps into ancient rituals and myths as she follows the spectacular, glittering river of orange monarchs in the sky to home.
382 pages, Hardcover
First published May 3, 2011
942 people are currently reading
4018 people want to read
About the author
Mary Alice Monroe
71 books5,652 followersMary Alice Monroe is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 30 books, including her new novel, Where the Rivers Merge, the first book in a duology and her historical debut. The second book is titled The Rivers End. Release date has not been set yet.
Monroe has also published children’s books, which complement the environmental themes she is known for in her adult novels. Monroe’s middle grade series, written with Angela May, The Islanders, debuted #2 on the New York Times Best Sellers List in 2021. The second book in the series, Search for Treasure, debuted #3 on the New York Times Best Sellers List. And the third book in the series, Shipwrecked, is available everywhere books are sold.
Nearly eight million copies of her books have been published worldwide.
Mary Alice has earned numerous accolades and awards including induction into the South Carolina Academy of Authors’ Hall of Fame; South Carolina Center for the Book Award for Writing; the South Carolina Award for Literary Excellence; the SW Florida Author of Distinction Award; the RT Lifetime Achievement Award; the International Book Award for Green Fiction; the Henry Bergh Award for Children’s Fiction; and her novel A Lowcountry Christmas won the prestigious Southern Prize for Fiction.
Mary Alice is also the co-founder of the popular weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction.
The Beach House is a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, starring Andie McDowell. Several of her novels are optioned for film.
Mary Alice has championed the fragility of the earth’s wild habitat. The coastal southern landscape in particular is a strong and important focus of many of her novels. For her writing, Monroe immerses herself in academic research, works with wildlife experts, and does hands-on volunteering with animals. She then uses the knowledge and experiences to craft captivating stories that identify important parallels between nature and human nature. Sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins, monarch butterflies, shorebirds are among the species she has worked with and woven into her novels.
Mary Alice is also an active conservationist and serves on several boards including the South Carolina Aquarium board emeritus, the Pat Conroy Literary Center Honorary Board, and the Leatherback Trust, which she received the Leatherback Trust Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022. She is especially proud to be a state-certified volunteer with the Island Turtle Team for more than twenty years.
Mary Alice splits her time between her home on the South Carolina coast and her home in the North Carolina mountains. When she’s not writing a novel, she is with her family or busy working with wildlife somewhere in the world.
Monroe has also published children’s books, which complement the environmental themes she is known for in her adult novels. Monroe’s middle grade series, written with Angela May, The Islanders, debuted #2 on the New York Times Best Sellers List in 2021. The second book in the series, Search for Treasure, debuted #3 on the New York Times Best Sellers List. And the third book in the series, Shipwrecked, is available everywhere books are sold.
Nearly eight million copies of her books have been published worldwide.
Mary Alice has earned numerous accolades and awards including induction into the South Carolina Academy of Authors’ Hall of Fame; South Carolina Center for the Book Award for Writing; the South Carolina Award for Literary Excellence; the SW Florida Author of Distinction Award; the RT Lifetime Achievement Award; the International Book Award for Green Fiction; the Henry Bergh Award for Children’s Fiction; and her novel A Lowcountry Christmas won the prestigious Southern Prize for Fiction.
Mary Alice is also the co-founder of the popular weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction.
The Beach House is a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, starring Andie McDowell. Several of her novels are optioned for film.
Mary Alice has championed the fragility of the earth’s wild habitat. The coastal southern landscape in particular is a strong and important focus of many of her novels. For her writing, Monroe immerses herself in academic research, works with wildlife experts, and does hands-on volunteering with animals. She then uses the knowledge and experiences to craft captivating stories that identify important parallels between nature and human nature. Sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins, monarch butterflies, shorebirds are among the species she has worked with and woven into her novels.
Mary Alice is also an active conservationist and serves on several boards including the South Carolina Aquarium board emeritus, the Pat Conroy Literary Center Honorary Board, and the Leatherback Trust, which she received the Leatherback Trust Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022. She is especially proud to be a state-certified volunteer with the Island Turtle Team for more than twenty years.
Mary Alice splits her time between her home on the South Carolina coast and her home in the North Carolina mountains. When she’s not writing a novel, she is with her family or busy working with wildlife somewhere in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 706 reviews
July 11, 2011
The information about the monarch butterflies and their amazing annual migration was interesting, but I did not enjoy the mediocre, often trite prose, the uninteresting characters, or the entirely predictable plot. Also, did the author have to describe every thought or emotion of each character? It would have been better if she had left something to the imagination. I don't particularly enjoy being told what to think.
I made myself finish this book because it's this month's selection for my book club, and I am glad to be moving on to something else.
I made myself finish this book because it's this month's selection for my book club, and I am glad to be moving on to something else.
June 30, 2021
The Butterfly’s Daughter by Mary Alice Monroe is a simple straightforward coming-of-age story with some Mexican cultural aspects to it. Many have said it’s too simple but I enjoyed it. I absolutely love how there is a fact about butterflies at the beginning of each chapter! The journey of the characters coincides with the migration of the monarch butterflies from North America to the mountains of Mexico more than 2,000 miles away. I’m glad a mainstream author wrote a well researched novel about the Mexican culture and San Antonio (something near and dear to me). For example, she writes little details about the Texas sky and Lady Bird Johnson. Tradition, hidden meaning, journey, and family - all great ingredients of this summer read. This is an older book but if you like to read about nature and the Mexican culture I highly recommend it.
My favorite quote:
"Why does everyone think of only the butterfly as beautiful. It's the change itself, the metamorphosis, that is the true wonder. No one stops to think that the caterpillar must shed it's skin five times before it forms the chrysalis. The caterpillar doesn't just change, it completely transforms. The old form dies and the new is reborn that's what gives us hope." ~ Mary Alice Monroe
My favorite quote:
"Why does everyone think of only the butterfly as beautiful. It's the change itself, the metamorphosis, that is the true wonder. No one stops to think that the caterpillar must shed it's skin five times before it forms the chrysalis. The caterpillar doesn't just change, it completely transforms. The old form dies and the new is reborn that's what gives us hope." ~ Mary Alice Monroe
September 24, 2020
A beautiful, uplifting story. A remarkable journey taken by a granddaughter in loving memory of her precious grandmother as she follows the path of the migrating monarchs from Wisconsin to her family village in the mountains of Mexico to scatter her beloved abuela’s ashes among the butterflies she adored. The journey isn’t easy—reuniting with the mother she thought was dead is very strained and hard. Yet, meeting strangers along the way help lighten her heart and teach her about compassion and much more.
If you love butterflies and you’re a strong woman of faith, this story is for you. I highly recommend. Relax, read, enjoy!
If you love butterflies and you’re a strong woman of faith, this story is for you. I highly recommend. Relax, read, enjoy!
July 9, 2012
This book had special meaning to me because I live in San Antonio TX and that city is one of the destinations that our heroine seeks in the book. I was made aware of the tradition of the Day of the Dead shortly after arriving in San Antonio many years ago but did not really know its history until I read this book. It gave me a better appreciation of what it really means. The book also made me aware for the first time of the way the migration of the Monarch butterfly coincides with the Day of the Dead. This knowledge sent chills up my spine because a personal miracle about the butterflies which were present at my son’s grave the day after his funeral featured greatly in my ability to have a spiritual closure at this time of my life – because I was totally unaware until now of butterflies were associated with this tradition. While I must agree that I was able to anticipate in advance some of the happenings in the book, I still was able to appreciate the story woven through the lives of each of the women who were part of the book. I enjoyed studying the differences that made them each tick. The study of the life of the Monarch Butterfly (in each chapter) is just like an extra point after the touchdown in a football game.
May 13, 2013
LOVED THIS BOOK! I love Mary Alice Monroe and I thought The Beach House was my favorite, this is a very close runner up. I enjoy that she adds a factual note at the beginning of each chapter. There were parts that I was upset with in the relationships but they only enhanced the bond.
April 25, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed the relationships made by Luz Avila, a young woman who has decided to return her Grandmother's ashes to her homeland in Mexico that coincides with the annual 2,000 mile migration of the lovely Monarch butterfly from Canada to Mexico, as well as Dio de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Along the way, Luz meets many different individuals who leave an impact on her life. While it is a struggle to get to her destination, she ultimately does, as promised to her abuela. Luz meets her birth mother, Mariposa, who she has not seen since she was a very small child. Mariposa has struggled with addiction for many years and is now clean and sober. She wishes only to accompany Luz to The Sacred Circle, a ritual passed from mother to daughter for centuries. They have many obstacles to overcome during their journey. This book is about life and death, family and cultural rituals, overcoming addiction, forgiveness, and love. It is quite obvious that Ms. Monroe conducted much research that went into the writing of this excellent novel. I would highly recommend it to any and all and praise must be given to Ms. Monroe for the thoroughly engaging tale of three generations of women as well as their extended family and friends.
June 3, 2012
This book conjured mixed emotions. The basic plot worked, yet was predictable. I really enjoyed gaining insight into the life and migration of the Monarch butterfly, and appreciated the parallels the author tries to weave into the story. It lacks depth, however, and very little in the way of drawing me into the various settings on the journey. As a resident of Lawrence, KS, I felt no kinship to the characters when they were in this city. References to KU does not complete, or even begin the picture. As a frequent visitor to San Antonio, I made no connection, either. I would have liked to have had more vivid setting descriptions to draw me even further into the story. And little things like referring to "looking under the hood" of a 70's VW beetle are actually a distraction. One doesn't have to be a car expert to know that VW beetle engines are located in the REAR of the car :-) It was a pleasant, light read, and provided the Monarch insight, but left me wishing for much more in terms of drawing me into the story. The characters offered a bit more depth of development, but not much. While I'm not sorry I ready this, I doubt I will look for other books by this author.
March 10, 2017
I love this book so much that I am sad that I will have to return it to the library. It was about the empowering journey and spiritual growth of a young woman intertwined with information about Monarch butterflies and their incredible migration and the Mexican culture with an emphasis on the Day of the Dead. This book will stay with me for a long time (not literally or the library police will come)
November 17, 2013
Цитат от книгата, който много ми хареса: "Баба само се усмихваше по онзи загадъчен, древен женски начин и ми казваше, че добротата е като слънцето и дъжда. Ако ги пестиш, светът ти ще пресъхне. Но колкото повече даваш, толкова повече ще получаваш в замяна."
May 8, 2011
Mary Alice Monroe
Although I have finished The Butterfly's Daughter by MARY ALICE MONROE, I will never forget this novel. When I began the novel, I did not know my heart would become intertwined not only with the characters but also with the monarch butterflies' travels. Their journey is long and hazardous. Thankfully, each chapter starts with a heading about the butterflies. Mary Alice Monroe has chosen the most scintillating facts about the butterflies for people like me who are scientifically challenged. Those chapter headings always seemed to relate to the lives of the character: Abuela, Luz, Margaret, Stacie, Mariposa, Sully, Ofelia and even Serena, the chihuahua are on an "epic journey" of metamorphisis like the monarch butterflies. The monarchs have their powerful wings for travel and Luz has her Abuela's El Toro. El Toro is an orange VW. It is picked by Abuela, Luz's grandma. Abuela wants to go back home to the mountains of Mexico with Luz. She wants to take the time to share with Luz the many thoughts in her heart. The problem is can this beaten up orange thing on wheels take them that far.
Luz takes off in El Toro never realizing it would become a wild adventure. Really, no day is the same. No day is the same for the monarch butterflies either. As they travel, a monarch butterfly can become too cold, too hot, tattered and torn. Life is tough not just for humans but also, for these creatures who go through so many stages before becoming a beautiful butterfly. In Tia Maria's house there are aquariums where the caterpillar goes from one stage to the next stage.
I am glad Mary Alice Monroe chose to write about the monarch butterflies. Their life is like my life. I have constantly gone through changes just by living through infancy, the toddler stage, adolescence, young adulthood, middle age and onward. At each stage I have needed to come to grips with a new me. However, now I can think of the monarch. When I am tired from struggling to understand each stage, I can know that somewhere along the way there is a beautiful spiritual me being born. So I really related to Luz as she cried, forgave, laughed, loved and remembered.
"Luz sat in a window seat of the crowded plane and gazed out as she traveled north. It had been a tumultuous season of new relationships and goodbyes."
This is a bittersweet novel. I did not like how all the situations were handled in Luz's life. I did not like all the people. I almost despised Mariposa for something she did up in the mountains of Mexico with the ofrenda made by Luz and her friends. I was afraid that Mary Alice Monroe would just sweep it under the rug by making it just a little misunderstanding between Mariposa and Luz. To my satisfaction the author made the scenes very real. Luz acted just the way I would have acted if Mariposa had done what she did to me. Mariposa has been through many hells in her life. So, she's rough around the edges. Often, her actions seem very selfish. While learning about her and watching how she acted and had acted in life, I realized it is really hard to forgive people. However, life is a circle that must become complete before I can feel complete. Plus, I can never throw away family. Our ancestors, our roots, are what makes me feel more than just a shadow on this earth. My family gives me purpose. So, it is important to work through the rough spots.
I can only end by writing that THE BUTTERFLY'S DAUGHTER is ripe with meaning and very poignant. I do have one new goal for my life's list. I would like to travel to the mountains of Mexico to see the sky "explode in orange glitter" with monarch butterflies.
Although I have finished The Butterfly's Daughter by MARY ALICE MONROE, I will never forget this novel. When I began the novel, I did not know my heart would become intertwined not only with the characters but also with the monarch butterflies' travels. Their journey is long and hazardous. Thankfully, each chapter starts with a heading about the butterflies. Mary Alice Monroe has chosen the most scintillating facts about the butterflies for people like me who are scientifically challenged. Those chapter headings always seemed to relate to the lives of the character: Abuela, Luz, Margaret, Stacie, Mariposa, Sully, Ofelia and even Serena, the chihuahua are on an "epic journey" of metamorphisis like the monarch butterflies. The monarchs have their powerful wings for travel and Luz has her Abuela's El Toro. El Toro is an orange VW. It is picked by Abuela, Luz's grandma. Abuela wants to go back home to the mountains of Mexico with Luz. She wants to take the time to share with Luz the many thoughts in her heart. The problem is can this beaten up orange thing on wheels take them that far.
Luz takes off in El Toro never realizing it would become a wild adventure. Really, no day is the same. No day is the same for the monarch butterflies either. As they travel, a monarch butterfly can become too cold, too hot, tattered and torn. Life is tough not just for humans but also, for these creatures who go through so many stages before becoming a beautiful butterfly. In Tia Maria's house there are aquariums where the caterpillar goes from one stage to the next stage.
I am glad Mary Alice Monroe chose to write about the monarch butterflies. Their life is like my life. I have constantly gone through changes just by living through infancy, the toddler stage, adolescence, young adulthood, middle age and onward. At each stage I have needed to come to grips with a new me. However, now I can think of the monarch. When I am tired from struggling to understand each stage, I can know that somewhere along the way there is a beautiful spiritual me being born. So I really related to Luz as she cried, forgave, laughed, loved and remembered.
"Luz sat in a window seat of the crowded plane and gazed out as she traveled north. It had been a tumultuous season of new relationships and goodbyes."
This is a bittersweet novel. I did not like how all the situations were handled in Luz's life. I did not like all the people. I almost despised Mariposa for something she did up in the mountains of Mexico with the ofrenda made by Luz and her friends. I was afraid that Mary Alice Monroe would just sweep it under the rug by making it just a little misunderstanding between Mariposa and Luz. To my satisfaction the author made the scenes very real. Luz acted just the way I would have acted if Mariposa had done what she did to me. Mariposa has been through many hells in her life. So, she's rough around the edges. Often, her actions seem very selfish. While learning about her and watching how she acted and had acted in life, I realized it is really hard to forgive people. However, life is a circle that must become complete before I can feel complete. Plus, I can never throw away family. Our ancestors, our roots, are what makes me feel more than just a shadow on this earth. My family gives me purpose. So, it is important to work through the rough spots.
I can only end by writing that THE BUTTERFLY'S DAUGHTER is ripe with meaning and very poignant. I do have one new goal for my life's list. I would like to travel to the mountains of Mexico to see the sky "explode in orange glitter" with monarch butterflies.
June 8, 2021
Hmm... This one had a wonderful premise. Everything about the storyline had the makings of a great book. But somehow, I felt like the writing didn't quite measure up to the idea of it. It felt a little middle reader like somehow - that the characters didn't show great complexity and depth, and everything felt quite packaged. A little like historical fiction lite. Like it was a beautiful idea, that didn't quite live up to its promise. That said, I enjoyed it. I just think it reading such exquisite books like I have, can make a person a little snobbier than perhaps they should be. This one was simple and sweet.
May 25, 2011
Just finished The Butterfly's Daughter by MARY ALICE MONROE and I enjoyed it very much. I thought the plot was original and refreshing, and this author's ability to tell a cohesive story of complex relationships never disappoints. I have to say, I enjoyed learning about the butterflies just as much as I enjoyed the story of Luz' journey of self-discovery. MONROE has a wonderful ability to create characters that bring out real emotion in the reader -- and kudos to her for celebrating the beauty of the Mexican heritage and really overcoming many of the stereotypes that Americans have about Mexicans. This novel #WINS on so many levels.
Note to the editor -- I think you got a little too choppy with this novel. There were several points in the story where I really felt like the story was "clipped" unnecessarily. In our YouTube lives, I can appreciate that we are all in a rush, but you need to know that any novel by MONROE is an opportunity to step away from our crazy, hectic lives and just relax and enjoy the ride. We want more of MONROE, not less!
My all-time favorite novel by MARY ALICE MONROE is Time is a River. If you haven't read that one yet, add it to your 2011 Summer Reading List right now -- I promise you will not be disappointed !!!! The Butterfly's Daughter is a great read as well and in fact, will make a great gift for your favorite reader. Enjoy !!!
Note to the editor -- I think you got a little too choppy with this novel. There were several points in the story where I really felt like the story was "clipped" unnecessarily. In our YouTube lives, I can appreciate that we are all in a rush, but you need to know that any novel by MONROE is an opportunity to step away from our crazy, hectic lives and just relax and enjoy the ride. We want more of MONROE, not less!
My all-time favorite novel by MARY ALICE MONROE is Time is a River. If you haven't read that one yet, add it to your 2011 Summer Reading List right now -- I promise you will not be disappointed !!!! The Butterfly's Daughter is a great read as well and in fact, will make a great gift for your favorite reader. Enjoy !!!
May 9, 2011
A voyage of self-discovery, The Butterfly’s Daughter is a beautiful story of family and friendship and the love and strength they inspire within us.
Just as a butterfly grows and changes, so does the main character, Luz, as she travels south, along the Monarch’s migration route, with her grandmother’s ashes. With the help of her new friends, Luz makes it to her ancestral homeland and meets the family she never knew. The discovery of her real history is life changing; the last stage of her transformation.
Wonderfully written by the best-selling author, Mary Alice Monroe, this book has an unforgettable feel to it. The characters are genuine, the settings are descriptive, the dialog is believable. The Butterfly’s Daughter is a pleasantly heartwarming, and surprisingly quick, read!
Just as a butterfly grows and changes, so does the main character, Luz, as she travels south, along the Monarch’s migration route, with her grandmother’s ashes. With the help of her new friends, Luz makes it to her ancestral homeland and meets the family she never knew. The discovery of her real history is life changing; the last stage of her transformation.
Wonderfully written by the best-selling author, Mary Alice Monroe, this book has an unforgettable feel to it. The characters are genuine, the settings are descriptive, the dialog is believable. The Butterfly’s Daughter is a pleasantly heartwarming, and surprisingly quick, read!
July 28, 2011
I've always found it interesting how people seem to associate butterflies with death. From internet emails that are passed around regarding butterflies and tombstones, to personal accounts of how butterflies remind people of lost loved ones, butterflies seem to be an integral part of how we view death and dying. Personally, my aunt always told me that seeing a butterfly reminded her of my Uncle Joe, who passed away when I was in high school. Therefore, when I was given the opportunity by Simon and Schuster to review this book, I was immediately interested and intrigued by the plot line.
Luz Avila is a young woman with a busy life in Milwaukee. Orphaned by her mother when she was little, Luz is raised by her grandmother, who she calls Abuela. Abuela tries to persuade Luz to go with her on a trip to her home village in Mexico, where monarch butterflies migrate each year from around the world. Sadly, Aubela dies before Luz can make up her mind about the trip. Feeling depressed due to her inability to detach herself from her day-to-day life enough to make the trip before Abuela's death, Luz decides to make the trip with Abuela's ashes, driving from Milwaukee to Mexico. On the way she meets a number of interesting and inspirational women who teach her invaluable lessons about life and also about herself. To add to the adventure of the trip, Luz arrives in San Antonio, TX to find her aunt, but finds her mother instead, whom she has long thought was dead. Now, she must not only deal with the pain of the loss of her Abuela, but the confusion and emotion that comes from meeting her mother face to face for the first time in years. Will Luz be able to get the ashes to Abuela's village in time for the butterfly migration, or will the sudden shock of finding her mother alive be too much?
One of my favorite thing about this novel were the characters! Luz goes on this amazing journey for her grandmother and it winds up becoming a journey of self-discovery. She finds that she can be a strong, independent, and able-minded person; she is capable of handling herself with ease, confidence, and poise through the most difficult of situations. The women she meets along the journey each go through similar journeys themselves, whether it be finding the difficulty to leaving an abusive lover or simply following what they thought were long-lost dreams. They are inspiring individuals, each with a lesson to teach the reader.
My biggest complaint with the novel was the ending!! The last few chapters just felt rushed. I wish Monroe had given us a little more time to digest the relationship that is introduced between Luz and her mother. The speed and pace at which the relationship grew with just didn't seem realistic to me. Even after you find out the real reason that Luz's mother disappeared all those years ago, it doesn't erase all the years she's missed of Luz's life. Besides that one complaint I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It's obvious that Monroe has excellent writing skills. Her prose is weaved with interspersing beautiful imagery of the landscape that Luz is traveling through as well as the beauty of the butterfly.
Monroe finds a way to incorporate butterfly lore into the story seamlessly as well. Each chapter begins with another fact about either about butterflies in general or about their migration patterns. I found myself becoming engrossed with them, and I'm not ashamed to admit that upon completion of the book I promptly begin doing a bit of research myself.
Filled with rich characters, beautiful imagery, and a gripping storyline, The Butterfly's Daughter is one book you're going to want to add to your to-read list.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-up
Luz Avila is a young woman with a busy life in Milwaukee. Orphaned by her mother when she was little, Luz is raised by her grandmother, who she calls Abuela. Abuela tries to persuade Luz to go with her on a trip to her home village in Mexico, where monarch butterflies migrate each year from around the world. Sadly, Aubela dies before Luz can make up her mind about the trip. Feeling depressed due to her inability to detach herself from her day-to-day life enough to make the trip before Abuela's death, Luz decides to make the trip with Abuela's ashes, driving from Milwaukee to Mexico. On the way she meets a number of interesting and inspirational women who teach her invaluable lessons about life and also about herself. To add to the adventure of the trip, Luz arrives in San Antonio, TX to find her aunt, but finds her mother instead, whom she has long thought was dead. Now, she must not only deal with the pain of the loss of her Abuela, but the confusion and emotion that comes from meeting her mother face to face for the first time in years. Will Luz be able to get the ashes to Abuela's village in time for the butterfly migration, or will the sudden shock of finding her mother alive be too much?
One of my favorite thing about this novel were the characters! Luz goes on this amazing journey for her grandmother and it winds up becoming a journey of self-discovery. She finds that she can be a strong, independent, and able-minded person; she is capable of handling herself with ease, confidence, and poise through the most difficult of situations. The women she meets along the journey each go through similar journeys themselves, whether it be finding the difficulty to leaving an abusive lover or simply following what they thought were long-lost dreams. They are inspiring individuals, each with a lesson to teach the reader.
My biggest complaint with the novel was the ending!! The last few chapters just felt rushed. I wish Monroe had given us a little more time to digest the relationship that is introduced between Luz and her mother. The speed and pace at which the relationship grew with just didn't seem realistic to me. Even after you find out the real reason that Luz's mother disappeared all those years ago, it doesn't erase all the years she's missed of Luz's life. Besides that one complaint I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It's obvious that Monroe has excellent writing skills. Her prose is weaved with interspersing beautiful imagery of the landscape that Luz is traveling through as well as the beauty of the butterfly.
Monroe finds a way to incorporate butterfly lore into the story seamlessly as well. Each chapter begins with another fact about either about butterflies in general or about their migration patterns. I found myself becoming engrossed with them, and I'm not ashamed to admit that upon completion of the book I promptly begin doing a bit of research myself.
Filled with rich characters, beautiful imagery, and a gripping storyline, The Butterfly's Daughter is one book you're going to want to add to your to-read list.
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-up
August 30, 2011
In this original, beautifully told story of Luz and her journey to deliver her Grandmothers ashes, from Wisconsin via Texas onto Mexico, we also learn a lot about the creation and migration of butterflies, and the miracle that it is. In this character-driven novel we see the analogy in Luz's growth and transformation from a child to a woman. Even the obstacles she encounters bring out her strengths, and we are also witness to the transformation in the people she meets along the way, who are a vital part of this story and who end up being a part of her adventurous experience and her life.
I loved the journey in the old VW bug, affectionately named “El Toro” for it's gutsy durability. The characters all seemed very real and believable, and the reader is drawn into the excitement of experiencing the transformations and new experiences of each character, as well as the beauty of the migration of the Monarch butterfly.
Knowing the Spanish language as I do helped me enjoy it more. I love to read familial stories that revolve around Mexican kitchens (like ours), what's cooking, how the aromas fill up the kitchen with scents of spicy comfort food, making this read all the more yummy. However, I've never heard of anyone making tamales in the oven (they are always steamed). Maybe she was just warming them up :) ?
Although I and my family are all American born, our heritage goes back to Mexico several generations ago, and it was interesting to learn about the Day of The Dead, which is something I never knew or cared to know much about. This helped me to understand it better, but I think Monroe may lose some readers interest in this part, since it seems so superstitious, such as myths are. She does make it clear, however, how myths and folklore have thrived for generations in this region and are open to translation and faith in what one wants to believe. Even Abuela (the grandmother) adjusted the myth she told Luz about the "light of the world" to suit her needs. I did find it touching to read about Luz and her traveling companions creating offerings for her Abuela's grave-site on the Day of the Dead. After googling some of these locations she mentions in Michoacan, I found them described as Monroe writes it, and could easily envision the celebration and all of it, even the sanctuaries are shown on Monroe's website and on googling the monarch butterfly.
In my opinion, interest may wane from some of her readers in the scientific details about raising caterpillars/butterflies, short as it is (snippets, not pages) or about the folklore, but I thought it was just enough and well done. I enjoyed it, and found the read satisfying. I've liked all her works. Kudos to Monroe for all the research on this one and for putting us readers in the back seat looking over Luz's shoulder as she takes us on this lovely, purposeful journey in her old, orange VW bug.
I loved the journey in the old VW bug, affectionately named “El Toro” for it's gutsy durability. The characters all seemed very real and believable, and the reader is drawn into the excitement of experiencing the transformations and new experiences of each character, as well as the beauty of the migration of the Monarch butterfly.
Knowing the Spanish language as I do helped me enjoy it more. I love to read familial stories that revolve around Mexican kitchens (like ours), what's cooking, how the aromas fill up the kitchen with scents of spicy comfort food, making this read all the more yummy. However, I've never heard of anyone making tamales in the oven (they are always steamed). Maybe she was just warming them up :) ?
Although I and my family are all American born, our heritage goes back to Mexico several generations ago, and it was interesting to learn about the Day of The Dead, which is something I never knew or cared to know much about. This helped me to understand it better, but I think Monroe may lose some readers interest in this part, since it seems so superstitious, such as myths are. She does make it clear, however, how myths and folklore have thrived for generations in this region and are open to translation and faith in what one wants to believe. Even Abuela (the grandmother) adjusted the myth she told Luz about the "light of the world" to suit her needs. I did find it touching to read about Luz and her traveling companions creating offerings for her Abuela's grave-site on the Day of the Dead. After googling some of these locations she mentions in Michoacan, I found them described as Monroe writes it, and could easily envision the celebration and all of it, even the sanctuaries are shown on Monroe's website and on googling the monarch butterfly.
In my opinion, interest may wane from some of her readers in the scientific details about raising caterpillars/butterflies, short as it is (snippets, not pages) or about the folklore, but I thought it was just enough and well done. I enjoyed it, and found the read satisfying. I've liked all her works. Kudos to Monroe for all the research on this one and for putting us readers in the back seat looking over Luz's shoulder as she takes us on this lovely, purposeful journey in her old, orange VW bug.
October 20, 2018
Book on CD read by the author
2.5**
Luz Avila’s mother abandoned her when she was a toddler, and she’s been raised by her grandmother. Now she sets out on a road trip to take her grandmother’s ashes back to her native village in Mexico, an area near the Monarch butterfly sanctuary.
I knew this was a chick-lit, road-trip, find-yourself kind of novel going in. I was intrigued by the link to the monarch butterfly migration, and by the main character’s journey from Milwaukee (where I currently live) to San Antonio (where I grew up) and on to Mexico.
There were parts of this story which I really liked. I liked that Luz was a young woman with some uncertainty in her past and uncertainty about her future, who decided to take on this trip without help or assistance. Of course, that’s a somewhat foolish goal, and she DOES need help along the way, but she manages to usually figure out a way to keep going without relying on her boyfriend to rescue her. Brava! I also liked the various people she picks up along the way: Ofelia, Margaret, even Stacie. These characters bring a new way of thinking to Luz, and help her to eventually find her own path.
I also liked that the ending, while hopeful, was NOT just wrapped up in a pretty little happy-ever-after bow.
I was not so keen on the way that Monroe basically dropped the additional characters along the way, however. And I really disliked
In general, I would probably give this 3 stars – an enjoyable, chick-lit read. Except…
Monroe reads the audiobook herself. She clearly has the emotional connection to the book and to these characters, and that comes through on the audio. Her pacing is good, as well. However, her pronunciation of Spanish was so bad that it completely distracted me from the book. I kept yelling at the CD whenever she mispronounced “la Virgen de Guadalupe” and other key Spanish phrases. So, she gets only 1 star for her audio performance, and that brings the entire rating down.
2.5**
Luz Avila’s mother abandoned her when she was a toddler, and she’s been raised by her grandmother. Now she sets out on a road trip to take her grandmother’s ashes back to her native village in Mexico, an area near the Monarch butterfly sanctuary.
I knew this was a chick-lit, road-trip, find-yourself kind of novel going in. I was intrigued by the link to the monarch butterfly migration, and by the main character’s journey from Milwaukee (where I currently live) to San Antonio (where I grew up) and on to Mexico.
There were parts of this story which I really liked. I liked that Luz was a young woman with some uncertainty in her past and uncertainty about her future, who decided to take on this trip without help or assistance. Of course, that’s a somewhat foolish goal, and she DOES need help along the way, but she manages to usually figure out a way to keep going without relying on her boyfriend to rescue her. Brava! I also liked the various people she picks up along the way: Ofelia, Margaret, even Stacie. These characters bring a new way of thinking to Luz, and help her to eventually find her own path.
I also liked that the ending, while hopeful, was NOT just wrapped up in a pretty little happy-ever-after bow.
I was not so keen on the way that Monroe basically dropped the additional characters along the way, however. And I really disliked
In general, I would probably give this 3 stars – an enjoyable, chick-lit read. Except…
Monroe reads the audiobook herself. She clearly has the emotional connection to the book and to these characters, and that comes through on the audio. Her pacing is good, as well. However, her pronunciation of Spanish was so bad that it completely distracted me from the book. I kept yelling at the CD whenever she mispronounced “la Virgen de Guadalupe” and other key Spanish phrases. So, she gets only 1 star for her audio performance, and that brings the entire rating down.
December 1, 2020
My first Mary Alice Monroe. Very good. Very symbolic of life's journey.
The obvious symbol in this book is the Monarch butterfly. It takes four generations for the butterfly to journey from the North to a sanctuary in Angangueo, Michoacan, Mexico. There is a map at the beginning that shows the paths of this journey.
Each chapter starts with a description of the Monarch, its metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly and different aspects of its journey south. I read the book on Kindle and made public each of the 26 chapter descriptions.
More to come
4 stars
The obvious symbol in this book is the Monarch butterfly. It takes four generations for the butterfly to journey from the North to a sanctuary in Angangueo, Michoacan, Mexico. There is a map at the beginning that shows the paths of this journey.
Each chapter starts with a description of the Monarch, its metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly and different aspects of its journey south. I read the book on Kindle and made public each of the 26 chapter descriptions.
More to come
4 stars
November 11, 2025
I’ve read a lot of this author’s books, but somehow never got around to reading this one. Very different than her low country books, but very good!
July 29, 2011
Luz's grandmother has told her magical tales of "las mariposas", the monarch butterflies that fly more than two thousand miles from the nothern United States to central Mexico. When her "abuela" dies, Luz starts on a similiar journey to fulfill her grandmother's wish to have her ashes returned to that same area of Mexico.
Each chapter has a heading telling the reader something about the fascinating life cycle and migration of the monarchs. As Luz makes her trip in an old VW Bug, this twenty year old woman meets various characters that enrich her life and help her decide what direction her life should take. She also meets her Mexican family members who welcome her with open arms. A special family member takes her to the spectacular spot where an amazing number of orange monarchs fill the sky, and they honor her grandmother's memory.
The author painted a vivid picture of the monarchs, the Day of the Dead, and Mexican traditions. She also created some interesting, colorful characters. The book did a good job of showing Luz pondering her choices about her future. It also examines difficult mother/daughter relationships. The first few chapters are a little slow as the author sets the scene, but the story picks up. Luz is a very warm character with a big heart, and I was happy to go along with her on this journey.
Each chapter has a heading telling the reader something about the fascinating life cycle and migration of the monarchs. As Luz makes her trip in an old VW Bug, this twenty year old woman meets various characters that enrich her life and help her decide what direction her life should take. She also meets her Mexican family members who welcome her with open arms. A special family member takes her to the spectacular spot where an amazing number of orange monarchs fill the sky, and they honor her grandmother's memory.
The author painted a vivid picture of the monarchs, the Day of the Dead, and Mexican traditions. She also created some interesting, colorful characters. The book did a good job of showing Luz pondering her choices about her future. It also examines difficult mother/daughter relationships. The first few chapters are a little slow as the author sets the scene, but the story picks up. Luz is a very warm character with a big heart, and I was happy to go along with her on this journey.
May 6, 2011
I was happy to receive this book as my first First Reads Giveaway. The author was unknown to me but I looked forward to the story and the themes involving self discovery, relationships and personal growth. I also love most any book with a Mexican/Latin focus as well.
The story centers on Luz and her journey from Milwaukee to Mexico to return with her grandmother's ashes and to meet her extended family. The trip is filled with ups and downs with interesting experiences and people along the way.
Luz' personal journey mimics the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly. The introduction to each chapter foretells what will happen in the story. Not my favorite way to make the correlation between the butterflies and each woman as they mature, because it is quite obvious, but it was definitely effective.
The book is filled with strong female characters. My favorite was Abuela and I was disappointed with her exit early on. I absolutely loved the scenes involving the Day of the Dead celebration and the confrontation between Luz and her mother.
Mary Alice Monroe is a very descriptive writer and visualizing the scenery was very easy. I'll definitely check out some of her other books when I want a quick, easy and enjoyable read.
The story centers on Luz and her journey from Milwaukee to Mexico to return with her grandmother's ashes and to meet her extended family. The trip is filled with ups and downs with interesting experiences and people along the way.
Luz' personal journey mimics the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly. The introduction to each chapter foretells what will happen in the story. Not my favorite way to make the correlation between the butterflies and each woman as they mature, because it is quite obvious, but it was definitely effective.
The book is filled with strong female characters. My favorite was Abuela and I was disappointed with her exit early on. I absolutely loved the scenes involving the Day of the Dead celebration and the confrontation between Luz and her mother.
Mary Alice Monroe is a very descriptive writer and visualizing the scenery was very easy. I'll definitely check out some of her other books when I want a quick, easy and enjoyable read.
September 3, 2011
This book was narrated by the author. Didn't anyone have the nerve to tell Ms. Monroe's that she couldn't pull off the accent? She went in and out of the accent during the narration of Esperanza's character who was born in Mexico and spoke English with a spanish accent. The accent was appalling and at times sounded as if she was Russian or Middle Eastern. When she pronounced spanish words in Esperanza's voice, she sounded like an american. Let's face it, narrating an audio book is like acting. If it's inauthentic, it doesn't work and taints the experience. The audio version could have benefitted from the use of multiple readers, especially someone who could voice Esperanza realistically.
I'm a huge Mary Alice Monroe fan, but this book didn't work for me either in print or audio. I was very bored, and while the matter of the accent will not bother other listeners, it annoyed me greatly.
I'm a huge Mary Alice Monroe fan, but this book didn't work for me either in print or audio. I was very bored, and while the matter of the accent will not bother other listeners, it annoyed me greatly.
October 15, 2012
I so wanted to like this book. I was looking at it as a read for my students. It had a great premise, a Hispanic female protagonist, set in Milwaukee, and it was a suitable length. Too bad the writing style was terrible. I hadn't heard of the author before, but she's published prolifically. How this is possible, I'm not sure because her writing sounded worse than many of my junior and senior creative writing students'. The dialogue sounded fake and was purposeless. The movement was plodding. The characters too contrived. When I read about 50 pages in her description of Milwaukee (the "heady scents of bread, cocoa, and hops from the brewery"), I knew this lady had never been to Milwaukee. And when she went on to describe the L in Chicago like this "An elevated train line zipped past, sparks flying from the wheels..." I figured she'd never actually been outside her house or seen a train passing by. Though I finished it, it's not worth your time...
October 1, 2015
What a great book! Not only did this tell a beautiful story but there is also informative paragraphs about the migration of Monarch Butterflies that I found fascinating. The info on the Monarch's and their migratory journey south is a clever way to introduce each chapter of this heartfelt, road-to-discovery novel about a young woman's travels from Wisconsin to San Antonio and then on to the mountains of Mexico. Luz meets interesting people on her adventurous travels across the country. Like the butterflies that make the yearly migration, Luz will experience great change along the way.
May 29, 2011
I had seen that this was a really good book . . . but I was very disappointed in it. The story was convoluted (in my opinion) and used too many comparisons between the butterfly and the people. I thought that the book lacked a concrete plot and that although I like a few of the characters that the book didn't have too much substance. I did finish it . . . but skimmed the last half I'm afraid. ;(
May 31, 2024
This started so great. It was like The Odyssey for a woman in a modern day setting. Absolutely riveting. Unfortunately, I thought the ending became a little rushed, or maybe it just changed its focus. The first part was all adventure, while the ending was all emotion. Still, what a great premise and such a well written story. If you want a feel good story, this is a good one.
October 14, 2018
Truly enjoyed the book. Loved the descriptive comparisons of our life changes growing up, and continuing to grow, to the Monarch butterfly's. It shared not only the importance of traditions, but also how the connections that we make in life can have such an influence on our own decisions.
September 6, 2011
I think the story begins not when Grandma buys the VDub but when she gets a call from one of her daughters who tells her that her other daughter, Luz's mother, is not dead these many years but is instead alive. I think the story is about one girl's journey to Mexico, not four different girls' journey, unless I was reading a completely different novel than the book summary claimed. But yes, Luz, did take the ashes to Mexico.
This is the second of Monroe's books that I've reviewed, and I enjoyed the book, BUT...I found the same things lacking that I did with the first one. I had difficulty identifying with the characters. By the end of the book, they were still strangers to me. In fact, I kind of hated Luz's mom, Mariposa, as much as I hated Olivia in the turtle book. Her one redeeming quality, that she was striving to overcome addiction, did little to make up for her selfishness and immaturity. Luz, the main character, had NO characteristics. There was nothing about her to like or dislike. Luz didn't grow or change; nobody did, except for maybe vagabond number two, but she, see below, had nothing to do with the main storyline. And again, I kept expecting it to be something it was not, which made it hard for me to like it for what it was.
But that said, it had it's good qualities. The storyline was okay and moved along well. I liked that Luz picked up the other girls on her journey and took them to the next step in their own journeys, but their journeys, the things they sought for themselves, had little, no nothing, to do with theme of the book (...something about mothers I think). I liked the girls, but they detracted from the main story; they didn't add to it. And they made for a lot of unnecessary scenes, and also made me wonder why Luz thought it would be fitting for those girls, compete strangers to her dead grandmother, to write on and glue to and basically deface the box of ashes, which, let's face it, was a weird and kind of macabre character.
This was a nice clean read. In terms of content, it does mention that Luz sleeps with her boyfriend, but I would recommend it to anyone that has a mother. I've read several good reviews from people who think this book is fabulous, but for me it left more questions unanswered than it even knew it asked.
This is the second of Monroe's books that I've reviewed, and I enjoyed the book, BUT...I found the same things lacking that I did with the first one. I had difficulty identifying with the characters. By the end of the book, they were still strangers to me. In fact, I kind of hated Luz's mom, Mariposa, as much as I hated Olivia in the turtle book. Her one redeeming quality, that she was striving to overcome addiction, did little to make up for her selfishness and immaturity. Luz, the main character, had NO characteristics. There was nothing about her to like or dislike. Luz didn't grow or change; nobody did, except for maybe vagabond number two, but she, see below, had nothing to do with the main storyline. And again, I kept expecting it to be something it was not, which made it hard for me to like it for what it was.
But that said, it had it's good qualities. The storyline was okay and moved along well. I liked that Luz picked up the other girls on her journey and took them to the next step in their own journeys, but their journeys, the things they sought for themselves, had little, no nothing, to do with theme of the book (...something about mothers I think). I liked the girls, but they detracted from the main story; they didn't add to it. And they made for a lot of unnecessary scenes, and also made me wonder why Luz thought it would be fitting for those girls, compete strangers to her dead grandmother, to write on and glue to and basically deface the box of ashes, which, let's face it, was a weird and kind of macabre character.
This was a nice clean read. In terms of content, it does mention that Luz sleeps with her boyfriend, but I would recommend it to anyone that has a mother. I've read several good reviews from people who think this book is fabulous, but for me it left more questions unanswered than it even knew it asked.
Read
August 6, 2011A great book for a light read -- I guess my biggest issue is that you truly have to suspend reality to enjoy it. If you're into the serendipitous, it's the novel for you. The main character, Luz, is a young 20-something who has reluctantly resigned herself to fulfilling her grandmother's last request -- a cross-country trip to renew relationships with long-lost relatives. And, predictably, she finds herself along the way. My issues were with the various "situations" Luz finds herself in to propel her journey forward -- for example, if your car breaks down on the south side of Chicago, I just can't believe anyone would walk from the repair shop to find a hotel, only to stumble across a diner with a pregnant waitress with a heart of gold who'll let you take her shifts for the next few days so you can afford the repairs -- AND has a friend that can give you a place to stay. Riiiight. If you can put that aside, the story is enjoyable, even sweet.
May 3, 2015
This book desperately needed a harsh editor. I was initially very pleased with the number of women in the book, and their varied personalities and strengths, but they're all quickly revealed to be flat stereotypes. Further, they're overshadowed by paternal, condescending, and sometimes abusive men. There's constant othering, subtle and overt. There are typos and misused words galore, and it's too long by half (at least). It's at best a beach read masquerading as something more.
For real Hispanic characters, presented respectfully, check out Daniel José Older, Chloe Aridjis, or Roberto Bolaño instead.
For real Hispanic characters, presented respectfully, check out Daniel José Older, Chloe Aridjis, or Roberto Bolaño instead.
August 26, 2013
Decent book, but by the end I never wanted to hear the word "precipice" or "precipitous" again.
I enjoyed the science weaved in with the story. There's a few leaps of faith to be taken with how characters are wrapped up. It was as if some good writing was combined with some fluffy stuff and I had a hard time getting in sync with the tone of the book.
I listened to the book and it was narrated by the author and she did a very good job. Her accent was very nice and she was easy to understand and I think it enhanced the experience.
I enjoyed the science weaved in with the story. There's a few leaps of faith to be taken with how characters are wrapped up. It was as if some good writing was combined with some fluffy stuff and I had a hard time getting in sync with the tone of the book.
I listened to the book and it was narrated by the author and she did a very good job. Her accent was very nice and she was easy to understand and I think it enhanced the experience.
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