‘Butterflies’ written by Susanne Gervay is a book of beauty and hope. Katharine, the girl with burns, dreams of being a normal girl, not having scars on her face. She is 17, has a caring family and friends but missing something in her heart. Even with all the regrets and self-pity passing through her brain she still looks for the one.

The story is based around a girl called Katharine. When she was 3 she accidentally fell in a pit of fire and suffered severe third degree burns all around her body. Now, at almost 18 the burns are still there and troubling her. She hates being the girl with the scars and wants to be a normal girl:

‘I know there are miracles. The professor said there are miracles. I’ll have soft skin and pretty hair one day, I’ll wear my hair up. I’ll be like everyone else. One day.’

This book is enjoyable because the author described Katharine’s emotion very evocatively making the reader relate to her. Every chapter constructs and develops her emotions more deeply, and at times takes a very depressing tone. Due to the dark atmosphere and themes throughout the novel it leads it to being a difficult and confronting read, suited for a more mature audience of ages between 14 and 18. I rate this book 3 out of 5 because it’s a very touching story but could have been described from another character’s point of view, as it made the protagonist seem very self-centered and self-indulged.

– Paulette I Year 9

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“Like butterflies, those who survive burns defy their fragility to migrate large distances and find warm climates. Butterflies was written for all those heroes who survive burns for all those special people who help them on their great journey.”

Everything was kind of average for Katherine in her daily life. Katherine was severely burnt at the age of three, but once she started to believe in miracles, she started to become more comfortable with her appearance and what people would say. “I know there are miracles. The professor said there are miracles. I’ll have soft skin and pretty hair one day. One day, I’ll wear my hair up. I’ll be like everyone else. One day.”

The book “butterflies” was written with her inner-monologues italicized, contrasting with the present tense and third-person narration, gradually changing from self-pitying and anger towards a more mature self-acceptance. Through this book, Katherine has many humorous, fun and anxious events alongside her friends facing first dates, exams and arguments with parents.

Whilst everything is still occurring, Katherine refuses to let herself, along with other people, see her as a victim as she struggles with her identity and independence.

Challenges that are faced during ‘Butterflies” can be fiction to some and a reality to others. It can also be a realisation of some people’s difficulties in life and show what Katherine’s and many others’ reality can be like.

This story has shown the ups and the downs, dramas, anxious yet exciting events and many more occasions of Katherine’s day-to-day life as a senior in high school. A suggested audience for the book “Butterflies” would be for teenagers, as most people around these ages can easily comprehend the relevancy, language level and dialogue. This book can be relevant to teenagers as the events that occur throughout the storyline can also be realistic and what other people may go though as well.

I would recommend reading this book for an individual who likes reading about other’s daily lives and the realistic events they encounter. I would rate “Butterflies” a 3 out of 5 stars. Gen P, Year 9.