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Book Review: Butterfly’s Child by Angela Davis-Gardner & Giveaway

April 30, 2012 by Darlene

I will start off by saying that I’m not all that familiar with the opera Madame Butterfly and that Butterfly’s Child by Angela Davis-Gardner is an imagined sequel of what might have happened after the last aria of the opera. I don’t believe though that you have to be familiar with this opera to thoroughly enjoy this story because I loved it. I was so captivated by Benji’s story that I lost track of time and just lost myself in the telling of this tale.

The novel is set in the 1800’s/1900’s and Benji is half Japanese and half American. His mother was a geisha girl and his father an American Lieutenant. Lieutenant Pinkerton and his new wife Kate travel to Nagasaki and it is there that Frank Pinkerton finds out he has a son and that his geisha girl, Butterfly as he called her committed suicide so that he would have no choice but to take Benji back to America with him and give him the life he deserves. For Benji, torn from the only life he knows, is terrified and even more scared of the unknown that is America.

Frank and Kate bring Benji back to their Illinois farm and tell everyone that they decided out of the good of their Christian hearts to adopt the little Japanese boy. You have to remember that at the time adoptions like these weren’t accepted like they are now thankfully. The only thing they can’t hide is Benji’s appearance and while he has Japanese features he also has an American nose and blond hair. Of course he is singled out at school and picked on but he perseveres and it becomes quite apparant that he is a very intelligent boy.

The trouble for Benji is more in his relationships with his new family, particularly his father who doesn’t acknowledge him as his son for fear of what people will think. Kate, his stepmother, is kinder towards him but at times she had been mean to him as well. The one person who was kind to him from the beginning was Frank’s mother because I think she knew in her heart who Benji really was although she never said it out loud. As time wears on Benji works hard on the farm and at school but it never seems to be enough for his father who will still lash out at him for the slightest thing. Instead of opening his heart to Benji, Frank feels that his life fell apart after bringing Benji home. Ultimately things happen and things are said and life is never the same for any of the Pinkertons or Benji and he flees and starts on his journey to Japan to find his family. The question is will Benji like what he finds when he finally unearths his heritage in Japan?

Butterfly’s Child is an amazing novel full of family drama and the devastation that comes from secrets and lies. It is such a richly told story that you can’t help but feel you are a character yourself in this story watching from the sidelines. I connected with everything in this story from the characters to the descriptions and I truly loved the book. I don’t know how I’ve never read anything by Angela Davis-Gardner but I can tell you for sure that Butterfly’s Child won’t be my last by her. Her writing is wonderfully vivid and beautiful and the way she can weave a story was fantastic. This is definitely a book I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to my friends especially those that like books that deal with a different culture as I do.

I read Butterfly’s Child by Angela Davis-Gardner for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. Be sure to pop by all the other tour stops to see what everyone else thought about the book as well. Angela can be found on her website and Butterfly’s Child can be purchased here in the US and here in Canada.

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of Butterfly’s Child by Angela Davis-Gardner to share with my readers.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry simply leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you already do, thank you and please let me know so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, May 19/12.  Good luck to all!

Source:  Review copy provided by TLC Book Tours and Dial Press.  No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are my own.

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Filed Under: 2012 - 100+ Books, 2012 ARC's, 2012 Book Reviews, TLC Tours

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. debbie says

    April 30, 2012 at 5:32 am

    I have read really good reviews on this book. I would love to read it.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

  2. debbie says

    April 30, 2012 at 5:32 am

    I am a gfc follower
    debbie
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

  3. Serena says

    April 30, 2012 at 6:29 am

    I love that opera! One of my favorites. I would love a chance to read this sequel. Thanks for the giveaway…nevermind that your review made me want to read it anyway since you don’t need to know the opera to enjoy it.

    I follow and will post the giveaway in my sidebar.

  4. Linda B says

    April 30, 2012 at 6:32 am

    Sounds like an interesting and emotional story. Thanks for the giveaway.

    Google follower.

  5. Carol says

    April 30, 2012 at 6:52 am

    I’d love to win a copy of this book. I read Plum Wine by this author and really enjoyed it, and this one sounds even better. Google follower.
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    Carol
    Cdirksatsbcglobaldotcom

  6. Renee says

    April 30, 2012 at 6:53 am

    Thanks for the giveaway

  7. Carol says

    April 30, 2012 at 6:53 am

    Oops. Wrong email
    cdirks1@sbcglobal.net

  8. Renee says

    April 30, 2012 at 6:53 am

    I already follow your blog

  9. Linda Jacobs says

    April 30, 2012 at 7:20 am

    Oh, darn, another book I’ll have to download! I knew I shouldn’t have visited your blog this morning! LOL!

  10. Mariag says

    April 30, 2012 at 7:27 am

    I would love to read this book.
    I already follow.
    Thanks!

  11. Lisa Garrett says

    April 30, 2012 at 7:40 am

    I have this one on my wishlist.

  12. Lisa Garrett says

    April 30, 2012 at 7:41 am

    I follow via GFC and email.

  13. Lisa Garrett says

    April 30, 2012 at 7:42 am

    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/lag32583/status/196957292887949315

  14. Anne says

    April 30, 2012 at 8:56 am

    A wonderful book. Many thanks. I am an e-mail subscriber.

  15. Ellie says

    April 30, 2012 at 8:59 am

    What a great novel. I subscribe via e-mail.

  16. Terry Martini says

    April 30, 2012 at 10:08 am

    Love reading books about other cultures. This looks like a good one. I follow by email.

  17. Margie says

    April 30, 2012 at 10:16 am

    I would love to read this book. Thanks so much for the giveaway. I always enjoy books set in other countries.

  18. Margie says

    April 30, 2012 at 10:16 am

    I follow by email subscription.

  19. SoftFuzzySweater says

    April 30, 2012 at 10:17 am

    As a fan of the original opera (You should hear me shriek along with “Un bel di”) I always wondered about her child’s fate. I also loved “Miss Saigon”, based on “Madama Butterfly”. So you can see why I want to win this giveaway! Please enter me. Thank you.

    annfesATyahooDOTcom

  20. SoftFuzzySweater says

    April 30, 2012 at 10:19 am

    I also follow your blog

    annfesATyahooDOTcom

  21. zibilee says

    April 30, 2012 at 10:20 am

    I can’t wait to listen to this one. I just got it on audio from the library. It sounds like it’s going to be a heck of a read! Great review today, Dar!

  22. SoftFuzzySweater says

    April 30, 2012 at 10:21 am

    I also tweeted it! (@softfuzzysweatr)

    annfesATyahooDOTcom

  23. Georgette says

    April 30, 2012 at 10:25 am

    This looks like a wonderful, inspiring read.
    I am a GFC follower- Georgette C.
    I also follow your blog via email.

  24. Susan @ The Book Bag says

    April 30, 2012 at 10:32 am

    I am fascinated by the Japanese culture. Someday I would love to visit there. Thanks for offering the chance to visit it in my imagination.

    I am a GFC follower

  25. Bookworm says

    April 30, 2012 at 10:48 am

    This sounds so good Dar and what a pretty cover.

  26. rhonda says

    April 30, 2012 at 11:22 am

    I am email subscriber. Twitter follower will tweet at rhonda readsn

  27. Mary Ann Woods says

    April 30, 2012 at 11:41 am

    I have always been fascinated by Japan and by Japanese philosophy. This sounds like an extremely interesting book and one I would like to read despite the fact that I know only a little about the opera. Thanks for offering it as a giveaway!! I follow you via email.

  28. nan says

    April 30, 2012 at 11:52 am

    I’m definitely interested in this one. Thanks for the giveaway. I’m a follower.

  29. blodeuedd says

    April 30, 2012 at 12:05 pm

    Hm, what stories am I mixing? Why did I think Butterfly was a man pretending to be a woman

  30. bermudaonion (Kathy) says

    April 30, 2012 at 12:09 pm

    I actually saw Madame Butterfly when I was in college but, to be truthful, I don’t remember much about it. I’m glad to know the book can be read without a lot of knowledge of the opera.

  31. Carol Wong says

    April 30, 2012 at 12:37 pm

    I saw Madame Butterfly on PBS and have records (yes records) of the opera. Also it is one of my favorites. I would love to read a continuation of the story.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  32. Diane B. says

    April 30, 2012 at 12:40 pm

    I was looking at this book on another blog and thought it sounded really good. I’m so happy that you’re being so nice and giving it away. Thank you. I’m a follower. https://twitter.com/#!/Dyniy/status/197032404504944641

  33. Carol Wong says

    April 30, 2012 at 12:40 pm

    I follow your blog with GFC, e-mail subscriptions, Twitter and Facebook.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  34. Carol Wong says

    April 30, 2012 at 12:42 pm

    I tweeted:

    http://t.co/Mplk4ce1

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  35. Margaret says

    April 30, 2012 at 1:20 pm

    Sounds like a really interesting book. I am also a follower 🙂

  36. Linda Kish says

    April 30, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    I would love to win/read this book. It sounds terrific.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  37. Linda Kish says

    April 30, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    I am a GFC follower

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  38. Carl says

    April 30, 2012 at 1:32 pm

    I would very much like to win a copy of this book. It’s one that I’ve had it on my TBR list since I first heard about it. Thanks for the entry.

  39. Carl says

    April 30, 2012 at 1:33 pm

    I do follow the blog by email: carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

  40. Carl says

    April 30, 2012 at 1:36 pm

    …and I tweeted about the giveaway as well: https://twitter.com/#!/carlrscott/status/197046366185340930
    My work here is done. *dusts hands and exits*

  41. Anna says

    April 30, 2012 at 3:34 pm

    Glad you were able to enjoy it without being familiar with Madame Butterfly. This does sound like an interesting book.

  42. Tanya Quilts in CO says

    April 30, 2012 at 4:03 pm

    My summer reading season is nearly here and I love to read this one. I am also a follower!

  43. Staci@LifeintheThumb says

    April 30, 2012 at 4:09 pm

    This one sounds amazing. I love vivid story telling and that cover is gorgeous!

  44. mamabunny13 says

    April 30, 2012 at 4:41 pm

    This sounds very interesting.
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  45. mamabunny13 says

    April 30, 2012 at 4:42 pm

    tweet
    https://twitter.com/#!/mamabunny13/status/197093179768582146
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  46. mamabunny13 says

    April 30, 2012 at 4:42 pm

    I follow via gfc – mamabunny13
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  47. Marie says

    April 30, 2012 at 8:58 pm

    Great review, Darlene! I’m not familiar with the opera either, but the book sounds really good.

    Of course, I follow your wonderful blog. 😉 I haven’t been keeping up with my google reader lately, though. Sorry about that. I’m feeling really overwhelmed with everything. I’m hoping to get back into it slowly.

    Take care.

  48. bn100 says

    May 1, 2012 at 12:18 am

    Sounds very intense.

  49. bn100 says

    May 1, 2012 at 12:19 am

    I follow the blog.

  50. karenk says

    May 1, 2012 at 7:54 am

    thanks for the chance to read this story 😉

  51. karenk says

    May 1, 2012 at 7:55 am

    i’m a follower, too 😉

  52. pamela james says

    May 1, 2012 at 10:27 am

    Seems to be a good read from your review.
    So many books, so little time!

    pjames330 at aol dot com

  53. pamela james says

    May 1, 2012 at 10:28 am

    gfc follower
    pjames330 at aol dot com

  54. pamela james says

    May 1, 2012 at 10:29 am

    https://twitter.com/#!/pj436/status/197362004837670913

    pjames330 at aol dot com

  55. Sandra K321 says

    May 1, 2012 at 1:11 pm

    This sounds like a great book. Please include me.
    Thanks.

  56. Sandra K321 says

    May 1, 2012 at 1:12 pm

    I follow with GFC as Sandra K321.

  57. RJB says

    May 2, 2012 at 8:01 am

    Would love, love, love to win this book.
    Thanks for a great contest and a chance to win.

  58. Amy says

    May 2, 2012 at 1:52 pm

    I am somewhat familiar with the opera Madame Buttfly and am fascinated by the story. But your fantastic comment “…you can’t help but feel you are a character yourself in this story watching from the sidelines” is all I had to read to know I can’t let this book pass me by! I’m so glad you enjoyed this book, Dar. Thank you for a wonderful review!

    I’m a very happy GFC follower of your blog!
    Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

  59. Margaret says

    May 2, 2012 at 3:53 pm

    Sounds like my kinds of book!

    -follower
    -tweeted

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

  60. rhonda says

    May 2, 2012 at 4:42 pm

    Would love to read it email subscriber. Facebook goodreads twitter at rhondareads will tweet

  61. Rachel W. says

    May 3, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    I’m a follower- thanks for the giveaway!

    Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

  62. Kitty says

    May 4, 2012 at 3:57 am

    Great opera and this book looks to be a great read.
    gfc follower and email subscriber.

    tweet
    https://twitter.com/#!/maynekitty/status/198350493871902721

  63. Susanna P says

    May 4, 2012 at 3:22 pm

    Thanks for the review and giveaway! This looks like such an interesting book.

    old follower – SusieBookworm

    susanna DOT pyatt AT student DOT rcsnc DOT org

  64. Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours says

    May 6, 2012 at 11:58 am

    Wow, sounds like this book grabbed you and pulled you right in!

    Thanks for being on the tour. I’m featuring your review on TLC’s Facebook page today.

  65. Leslie says

    May 7, 2012 at 10:21 am

    I’ve been seeing some nice reviews on this one. It sounds like a wonderful story. (I’m a follower.)

  66. Maureen says

    May 9, 2012 at 2:24 pm

    Please enter me.
    I follow on GFC
    Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/MaureenCE/status/200320228826169345

  67. Suz Reads says

    May 13, 2012 at 4:22 pm

    Thanks for this giveaway – I would love to win this book!
    – GFC follower as Suz
    – tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/SuzReads/status/201799311812603904

  68. Michelle Fidler says

    May 18, 2012 at 11:41 am

    Thanks for the giveaway — sounds like a different kind of book. G.F.C. follower – Michelle Fidler

    spookycat72(at)gmail(dot)com

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