"Scars are proof of survival, they shouldn't be hidden -- it's a story someone may need to see in order to believe that beyond their pain and suffering, there is healing."
Title: Praise Song for the Butterflies
Author: Bernice L. McFadden
Publication: August 28, 2018 by Akashic Books
At a Glance:
Abeo Kata lives a comfortable, happy life in West Africa as the privileged nine-year-old daughter of a government employee and stay-at-home mother. But when the Katas’ idyllic lifestyle takes a turn for the worse, Abeo’s father, following his mother’s advice, places her in a religious shrine, hoping that the sacrifice of his daughter will serve as religious atonement for the crimes of his ancestors. Unspeakable acts befall Abeo for the fifteen years she is enslaved within the shrine. When she is finally rescued, broken and battered, she must struggle to overcome her past, endure the revelation of family secrets, and learn to trust and love again.
My Thoughts:
I'm grateful that my reading journey through the Women's Prize for Fiction nominees brought this novel to my attention because I don't think I would have ever picked it up and learned about Africa's practice of ritual servitude. Abeo Kata is just nine-years-old when her father gives her to a religious shrine as an offering to the gods to atone for the family's sins. Even though McFadden did not delve too deeply into the details of what goes on at these shrines, we are given enough to feel disgusted and outraged by the custom.
Right from the beginning, McFadden hooked me into the story and carried my interest until the very end of the novel, which I completely didn't expect. The novel was a very quick read for me, with McFadden's short, punchy chapters that never lagged. However, I wish that the characters had been a bit more developed throughout the novel to see more of their arcs. Especially with the individuals who assist Abeo throughout the novel, and give her a beacon of light and hope to guide her from her dark past.
It's the reminders of time passing that caused immense sadness for me - "Abeo was nine years old...eleven...twenty-two...thirty-three." Abeo isn't even the youngest girl at the shrine - one being just four years old. The fleetingness of time is depressing for anyone to think about, but in relation to these girls, it is even more so because they have no ability to follow their lifes' passions, or even know what they could be passionate about. These innocent girls are exiled from their families and are either given a vague explanation or forced to guess why their families would do this to them. It's terribly upsetting to think about, but very important to be knowledgeable about. It can only be hoped that all of these young girls are given the opportunity to be free and spread their wings like butterflies away from the shrines' terrifying darkness.
Scene Superlatives:
The Scene That Made Me Ugly Cry: Chapter 26, with the event involving Juba. But, basically the entire novel if I didn't pick just one.
The Scene That Made Me Happy Cry: Chapter 43, Chipo's quote written above about the scars
The Scene That Was A Page Turner: The whole novel is fast-paced, but I would choose Chapter 29 (event with Pra).
My Rating: 🦋🦋🦋
If You Like This, Read This:
Where the Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens
Although Where the Crawdads Sing is more descriptive and fleshes out the characters more, both books follow similar themes of survival and female strength. Both Abeo and Kya deal with the desertion of their family members, but discover their own power with the help of friendly individuals along the way.
Who Inspires the Author?
The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman - Ernest J. Gaines
Someone Knows My Name - Lawrence Hill
(From Akashic Books)
For Further Reading Pleasure:
- Women's Prize for Fiction 2019 Longlist
No comments:
Post a Comment