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The Flower Plantation
Arthur Baptiste knows little of Rwanda's past and is unaware of its emerging troubles. He lives with his parents on a flower plantation where he talks to no one, not even the butterflies he collects, until one day Beni appears. Beni, the cook's granddaughter, is a child much like Arthur but one who lives in a world far different from his own. Their friendship will take them from innocent adventures, to sexual encounters and on towards dark revelations - When news comes that the President has been killed Arthur is forced to leave his home, the country he knows and the people he loves. Arthur must say goodbye to Beni and leave her to a fate far worse than either could have imagined.
300 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 31, 2024
Beautiful story, so sad and a poignant reminder of geneocide and slavery within our history. Highlights the struggles and generational trauma that continues to live on within people today. It sticks with you, a book you cant rush through, take time to take it in and really read the words. And important story worth reading. I would reccomend to anyone.
August 21, 2020
A great read and will stay with me for a long time genocide in Rwanda a terrible history
May 11, 2021
Partway through this book and I have read something I have wanted to know for years. I am sort of interested in the terms used for groups of nouns, eg a parliament of owls, a flock of sheep.
A teacher I knew wanted to know the term for a group of butterflies. Was it "a flutter of butterflies"? Was it "a kaleidescope of butterflies"? No, according to this book it is "a rabble of butterflies".
I think I prefer my two possibilities.
A teacher I knew wanted to know the term for a group of butterflies. Was it "a flutter of butterflies"? Was it "a kaleidescope of butterflies"? No, according to this book it is "a rabble of butterflies".
I think I prefer my two possibilities.
November 11, 2014
This book is definitely under-reviewed and under-read...at least based on the GR reviews. It was a beautiful book about Rwanda and the events of the early 90s (yes, the genocide) seen through the eyes of a boy.
Arthur is the son of a half Tutsi father and a British mother and he lives in a flower plantation in (or near) Gisenyi, Rwanda surrounded by forests, flowers and butterflies. While the story line sometimes seems to not be straight or have a goal, it worked for me. It's really a coming of age story with friendship, butterflies, gorillas, beautiful gardens, horrible violence, extramarital affairs and anything else you can think of.
Arthur's parents are the quintessential European colonists, with their big houses, their big meals and cars and hanging out at the fancy hotels while conflict and violence is all around them. The flower plantation really belongs to Arthur's mother, a woman who has been most of her life in Rwanda but doesn't speak the language, drinks too much, drives fast and then proves to be the strong heroine of this book.
Oh, did I forget to mention that Arthur doesn't talk even though there's nothing physically wrong with him? That part was a bit frustrating for me, because had he talked, a few bad events in the book could have been avoided. But then, there would be no book.
I am happy to say that I talked to my cousin who lives in Goma yesterday. Goma is right across the border from Gisenyi, but in RDC instead of Rwanda. She has assured me that the Gisenyi is still beautiful, the flower plantations are amazing and the gorillas are still a big attraction.
Arthur is the son of a half Tutsi father and a British mother and he lives in a flower plantation in (or near) Gisenyi, Rwanda surrounded by forests, flowers and butterflies. While the story line sometimes seems to not be straight or have a goal, it worked for me. It's really a coming of age story with friendship, butterflies, gorillas, beautiful gardens, horrible violence, extramarital affairs and anything else you can think of.
Arthur's parents are the quintessential European colonists, with their big houses, their big meals and cars and hanging out at the fancy hotels while conflict and violence is all around them. The flower plantation really belongs to Arthur's mother, a woman who has been most of her life in Rwanda but doesn't speak the language, drinks too much, drives fast and then proves to be the strong heroine of this book.
Oh, did I forget to mention that Arthur doesn't talk even though there's nothing physically wrong with him? That part was a bit frustrating for me, because had he talked, a few bad events in the book could have been avoided. But then, there would be no book.
I am happy to say that I talked to my cousin who lives in Goma yesterday. Goma is right across the border from Gisenyi, but in RDC instead of Rwanda. She has assured me that the Gisenyi is still beautiful, the flower plantations are amazing and the gorillas are still a big attraction.
August 20, 2013
The story of Arthur Baptiste, a boy who, having not spoken since early childhood, looses himself in his love of butterflies and his friendship with Beni, the daughter of the family cook.
Poignant, magical and harrowing in equal measures. The Flower Plantation is the tale of a boy used to running relatively free with no other dangers other than that of the local 'witch' and the local children who, not understanding Arthur's reluctance/inability to talk, bully him somewhat. That is until the outside world encroaches and conflict once again erupts in Rwanda.
As interesting as it is informative, everything about this book screams read me. From its beautiful cover which, held in a certain way, reveals a rabble of translucent butterflies to its wonderfully written plot that had me gripped from prologue to end and a cast of truly memorable characters I loved this debut novel by award winning author Nora Anne Brown.
Copyright: Pen and Paper.
Poignant, magical and harrowing in equal measures. The Flower Plantation is the tale of a boy used to running relatively free with no other dangers other than that of the local 'witch' and the local children who, not understanding Arthur's reluctance/inability to talk, bully him somewhat. That is until the outside world encroaches and conflict once again erupts in Rwanda.
As interesting as it is informative, everything about this book screams read me. From its beautiful cover which, held in a certain way, reveals a rabble of translucent butterflies to its wonderfully written plot that had me gripped from prologue to end and a cast of truly memorable characters I loved this debut novel by award winning author Nora Anne Brown.
Copyright: Pen and Paper.
November 10, 2015
This book of a childhood in Rwanda is told with compassion and insight. Seen though the eyes of a child who is mute (by choice?), who is mostly white, it tells of his growing up, his isolation until he meets the cook's grand-daughter, his mother's and father's difficulties, his neglect and the gradual disintegration of society to the point of genocide. It is harrowing to see how people turn against former neighbours and employers; compared to isolated incidences of incredible courage and fortitude. Well worth reading.
February 24, 2014
Nora Brown gives the reader a slight insight into the war torn Rwanda and the hatred between the Hutsies And the Tutsies. I found the story does ramble on a bit though. You become quite fond of the little dumb boy who witnesses the wartime atrocities. Not one of my Favourite books and not one I would recommend.
October 30, 2013
About Rwander and a boy who could not speak
November 30, 2013
Although I enjoyed parts of this book, as someone who doesn't particularly like butterflies it wasn't my favourite. A bit of a mediocre ending too with lots of unanswered questions.
March 9, 2014
Neither here nor there for me - some parts of the story were engaging but it never really drew me in completely.
May 27, 2014
So much happens in this wonderful story of Arthur Baptise. He talks to know one but for the love all animals he whispers quietly to his bugs and is often reading his African butterfly book.
August 21, 2016
I didn't think the subject of this book would interesting me at all but I tore through this book in one weekend. From the descriptions to the characters, it is a stellar book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews