Butterflies

Butterflies by Susanne Gervay is an inspiring yet sad story about Katherine, an 18 year old girl who was severely burned at the age of three. All Katherine wants is to be normal, have long beautiful hair, beautiful skin and for a guy to love her for who she is. Thats when she finds William a boy who loves and care for her no matter the scars. Throughout this book Katherine is put in many challenges all because of this burn, but she has to stay strong and remember life is short. Butterflies is told through a combination of Katherine’s family, and sometimes disconnected thoughts, recollections of events in the past – how she was burnt, time in hospitals – and Katherine’s present life.

As a kid obsessed with fantasy, reading through the painfully realistic Butterflies was an interesting experience. The world of Katherine was still a bit too abnormal for me to fully relate to or appreciate, however, it had a strong emotional core that really drew me to its characters. You don't need to be a fellow burn survivor to relate with Katherine's hatred over her self-image, and the journey she goes on to accept herself and her troubled past was genuinely touching. I can really appreciate now, having a normal childhood with loving parents. All the realistic messages it sent about not only burns survivors, but of their families, nd that even though times can be rough, theres always going to be a way to make life worth it.

Katherine's story was definitely one worth telling, and I'm glad I gave it a chance.  I would rate this book an 8 out of ten. I would definitely recommend this book. Although some times the book can get slow and boring, reading through the whole book will be worth it. It can teach you some life lessons and let you learn about an extremely lucky tragedy survivor and how she put her self out there and was always herself and the very best she could always be.  

Book Review by Alex H.