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Blue Butterfly
Blue Butterfly provides an entrancing look into the life of the character dubbed “Precious Blue Johnson” - a young woman struggling to become the first black ballerina. Each page captures the heart of love, the hurt of betrayal, and shows that there is strength in forgiveness. A poignant and riveting fictional story inspired by some of the greatest black ballerinas to have ever graced the ballet stage.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2013
1 person is currently reading
248 people want to read
About the author
Marian L. Thomas
16 books458 followersMarian L. Thomas is an award-winning author known for crafting emotionally rich, character-driven women’s fiction. Her novels explore themes of love, resilience, motherhood, and second chances, earning praise from readers and critics alike.
Marian’s work has been featured in USA Today, Black Enterprise, Southern Writers Magazine, and on media outlets including Fox, NBC, and CBS. She is the author of several novels, including Saving Raine, Someone Like Me, and The Caged Butterfly—recipients of the USA Best Book Award for African-American Fiction.
With a passion for storytelling that touches the heart,
Marian writes to inspire women to embrace their own strength, healing, and joy. She lives in a suburb of Atlanta with her husband of over 20 years and is an avid fan of classic films like Pride and Prejudice—and firmly believes popcorn should be its own food group.
Marian’s work has been featured in USA Today, Black Enterprise, Southern Writers Magazine, and on media outlets including Fox, NBC, and CBS. She is the author of several novels, including Saving Raine, Someone Like Me, and The Caged Butterfly—recipients of the USA Best Book Award for African-American Fiction.
With a passion for storytelling that touches the heart,
Marian writes to inspire women to embrace their own strength, healing, and joy. She lives in a suburb of Atlanta with her husband of over 20 years and is an avid fan of classic films like Pride and Prejudice—and firmly believes popcorn should be its own food group.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 26, 2019
This book was an easy read. It made you want to ask what happens next as it captures your attention. The author did a great job with descriptions and hints of foreshadowing. I enjoyed it.
August 10, 2016
Blue Butterfly is the perfect name for this novel-not just because of the reference to its title character-Precious Blue Johnson-but because the way the story floats so eloquently and magically across the page. Ms. Thomas is an award-winning author (My Father's Colors and Strings of Color were USA Best Book Finalists) known for writing "clean" fiction-and while her stories may not include profanity or sexually graphic scenes, they are not lacking in depth, emotion or controversial themes. Blue Butterfly is no exception-the book deals with unwed pregnancy, interracial relationships, and family estrangements-mixed in with real life events like the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The story begins in 1969, with the birth of Precious Blue to a white woman who died giving birth to her, and a black father-or so Precious believed. When at age 19 Precious learns that the man who raised her-and who she loves more than anything-is not her biological father, she leaves her home in rural Georgia and sets off to New York City, not only to find her "real" father, but also to pursue her dream of becoming a ballerina. At the bus station Precious meets a woman- Ms. Ann-who recognizes in her the grace and beauty of a natural born ballerina, and promises to help Precious get into ballet school, and after, to the world's leading ballet companies. Ms. Ann is the main "enigma" of the story-she was also born to mixed raced parents, but hid her heritage in order to succeed in the "lily white" world of elite ballet. Ann sees in Precious the chance to make amends for the years she lied about her background, but her true motive for helping Precious is not revealed until much later. With Ms. Ann help, Precious does get into ballet school, and she also falls in love with Ray, a young black man studying to become a doctor who was taken in by Ms. Ann after his drug addict mother abandoned him. While in New York City, Precious finally reads her mother's journal and thru it she learns her biological father's identity. The chapters of Blue Butterfly that deal with the relationship between Anya Duport and Samuel Christopher Jackson- Precious's parents-are among the most poignant and heartbreaking of the story. Anya is also a premier ballerina, although she dreams of being a writer- who falls in love with a black man. While Anya is willing to give up her life and career for Christopher, he is determined to finish his college education and become a teacher in his Harlem neighborhood. Anya and Christopher's uncoupling is devastating for her, and when she finds herself pregnant Anya is disowned by her parents, and she leaves town without telling Christopher of her situation. It is also hard for Precious to read of her mother's unrequited love for her father, and the circumstances that brought her to Georgia. The story is ultimately wrapped up a little too neatly, but that does not diminish its impact. Blue Butterfly is one of those novels that stays with you long after you have finished-beautifully written, and it draws you in from the first page. Blue Butterfly should be another award winner for Ms. Thomas, and a highly recommended read.
May 22, 2014
My Review
Beautifully written!! I just loved it. Definitely one of my all time favorites.
The novel opens with a prologue: Precious Blue is nervously awaiting the arrival of a writer. She has be offered to have a book written about the first black ballerina and now the time has arrived.
The setting is in a rural country town of Georgia. Protagonist, Precious Blue Johnson is 19 years of age and lives with her Dad. He has remarried and this wife does not favor Precious and due to this Precious leaves for New York to live. While on the train she is greeted by a woman by the name of Mrs. Ann who notices her posture.
As a little girl Precious self taught herself the intricate moves of ballet. Both ladies engage in continual conversation that leads Precious to accepting an invite to live with the woman. Now Life will become full circle for Precious.
She discovers the meaning of her gift, more hidden family secrets, heartfelt pain, betray, friendship, forgiveness and LOVE.
This novel is such a spectacular read!! Author Marian Thomas will captivate the readers into every nook of this book from the characters, story line setting and the central conflict. The story line is delicately woven that your emotions don't appear to be on a roller coaster ride but they are infused into heartfelt melodies.
Such a great cast of characters. I appreciate the author ability to provide just the taste of detail of minor characters without lingering info. unrelated to the plot.
My favorite character was Mrs. Ann. stern yet delicately aggressive. My hero character is Charles Johnson, that man sacrificed plenty of his life and I wished his story line ending could of been a bit different. The least like character was that sly of a fox, Angelo. My reading pace of this novel was moderate, to page turning to the finale of an all night read.
What a fantastic author Marian Thomas displayed with this novel. The gentle twisters she provides in this novel is done without a hint. Kudos!! Readers will linger after reading that last page, not for wanting more but the impact is a breathtaking WOW factor. You will experience sorrow, yet there is joy. Readers will reflect on the lives they just encountered and hopefully remember the novel is a deeply satisfying work of fiction. The book cover rating is 5/5. Its so gorgeous. The title and story line connection is a 5/5 and this books sits on my reading shelf as a Deep in my Soul review rating of a 5/5.
Beautifully written!! I just loved it. Definitely one of my all time favorites.
The novel opens with a prologue: Precious Blue is nervously awaiting the arrival of a writer. She has be offered to have a book written about the first black ballerina and now the time has arrived.
The setting is in a rural country town of Georgia. Protagonist, Precious Blue Johnson is 19 years of age and lives with her Dad. He has remarried and this wife does not favor Precious and due to this Precious leaves for New York to live. While on the train she is greeted by a woman by the name of Mrs. Ann who notices her posture.
As a little girl Precious self taught herself the intricate moves of ballet. Both ladies engage in continual conversation that leads Precious to accepting an invite to live with the woman. Now Life will become full circle for Precious.
She discovers the meaning of her gift, more hidden family secrets, heartfelt pain, betray, friendship, forgiveness and LOVE.
This novel is such a spectacular read!! Author Marian Thomas will captivate the readers into every nook of this book from the characters, story line setting and the central conflict. The story line is delicately woven that your emotions don't appear to be on a roller coaster ride but they are infused into heartfelt melodies.
Such a great cast of characters. I appreciate the author ability to provide just the taste of detail of minor characters without lingering info. unrelated to the plot.
My favorite character was Mrs. Ann. stern yet delicately aggressive. My hero character is Charles Johnson, that man sacrificed plenty of his life and I wished his story line ending could of been a bit different. The least like character was that sly of a fox, Angelo. My reading pace of this novel was moderate, to page turning to the finale of an all night read.
What a fantastic author Marian Thomas displayed with this novel. The gentle twisters she provides in this novel is done without a hint. Kudos!! Readers will linger after reading that last page, not for wanting more but the impact is a breathtaking WOW factor. You will experience sorrow, yet there is joy. Readers will reflect on the lives they just encountered and hopefully remember the novel is a deeply satisfying work of fiction. The book cover rating is 5/5. Its so gorgeous. The title and story line connection is a 5/5 and this books sits on my reading shelf as a Deep in my Soul review rating of a 5/5.
April 27, 2014
Let me catch my breath. This was one of the most spectacular story I have read in a long time. With each word, I felt every emotion you could possibly have. I am in awe of the author's talent, and was perfection to me. The subject of black ballerinas in America, was not something I thought about until reading this book. I was educated in the struggles they had and still have to make it on the main stage. Precious Blue Johnson, the daughter of a white mother and black father was born to dance. A country girl from Georgia, finds her way to New York with the help of a stranger, Ms. Ann (who is hardly a stranger after all). She finds out who she is, where she belongs and more in this heartfelt moving story of love, honor, betrayal, pain, secrets and most of all, forgiveness. As I have been given the opportunity to be a reviewer, this particular book, it has been a blessing to me. It opened some old wounds of my own life that I thought were no longer an issue for me, frankly, but through some parts of this story, I've seen myself and realize holding on to bitterness towards those who were not there, did not show love and were not a part of my life is a done deal. Forgive, let it go and move on. Life will be the better for doing so. Marian Thomas, it was truly a honor and privilege to have been selected to read this. You are a gifted writer, and I will always remember this story. To anyone who has not read this book, I highly recommend you to do so. You will not be disappointed.
April 4, 2014
How not to love such a touching and inspiring book?
Blue Butterfly brings us Precious Blue Johnson's story, who has her life turned upside down by her stepmother who was jealous of her relationship with her father.On that night, Blue discovers that the man who had raised her was not her biological father, but someone who really loved her mother.
Leaving her hometown in Georgia, she goes to New York in search of her real father, but on the way she meets a lady, Ms. Ann, who decides to adopt Blue and make her a great ballerina.
Normal? It would be if it was not a detail: Blue was black girl.
Was the world ready for a black ballerina?
Precious Blue faces situations and people who do not want to see her success, but she has the support of those who love her, as Ray Silvers, the pretty young man with deep blue eyes and is almost doctor.
Ray and Precious' love suffers attacks by his biological mother, a selfish, bitter and drug addicted woman.
The whole story is told by Precious as an interview to a ghostwriter.
The story is beautiful, can lead the reader to tears in several parts, but, above all, shows the strength of character and courage of black women who fought for their place under the sun.
A beautiful tribute to them all.
5 STARS
Blue Butterfly brings us Precious Blue Johnson's story, who has her life turned upside down by her stepmother who was jealous of her relationship with her father.On that night, Blue discovers that the man who had raised her was not her biological father, but someone who really loved her mother.
Leaving her hometown in Georgia, she goes to New York in search of her real father, but on the way she meets a lady, Ms. Ann, who decides to adopt Blue and make her a great ballerina.
Normal? It would be if it was not a detail: Blue was black girl.
Was the world ready for a black ballerina?
Precious Blue faces situations and people who do not want to see her success, but she has the support of those who love her, as Ray Silvers, the pretty young man with deep blue eyes and is almost doctor.
Ray and Precious' love suffers attacks by his biological mother, a selfish, bitter and drug addicted woman.
The whole story is told by Precious as an interview to a ghostwriter.
The story is beautiful, can lead the reader to tears in several parts, but, above all, shows the strength of character and courage of black women who fought for their place under the sun.
A beautiful tribute to them all.
5 STARS
June 8, 2014
First, let me say that Blue Butterfly has one of the most beautiful covers I have ever seen! That alone had my expectations quite high for the content, and I am so happy to say that the book did not disappoint. Blue Butterfly is a book of perfection.
Precious Blue Johnson's life was turned upside down when her dad kicks her out of his home. Blue meets Ms. Ann who welcomes her into her home and forever changes her life. Ms. Ann introduces Blue to the world of ballet and and the story soars from there!
Marian Thomas tells a young mixed girl's life story as she begins to move into a predominately white community. Blue Butterfly is quite believable as any brown girl that has entered a world outside of her own community, will truly be able to relate. Every word seems to sing off the pages. Blue Butterfly is full of emotional depth. I found myself rooting for the characters and cheering for them to overcome and claim the victory!
Blue Butterfly is one of the BEST books I've read so far in 2014!
Precious Blue Johnson's life was turned upside down when her dad kicks her out of his home. Blue meets Ms. Ann who welcomes her into her home and forever changes her life. Ms. Ann introduces Blue to the world of ballet and and the story soars from there!
Marian Thomas tells a young mixed girl's life story as she begins to move into a predominately white community. Blue Butterfly is quite believable as any brown girl that has entered a world outside of her own community, will truly be able to relate. Every word seems to sing off the pages. Blue Butterfly is full of emotional depth. I found myself rooting for the characters and cheering for them to overcome and claim the victory!
Blue Butterfly is one of the BEST books I've read so far in 2014!
April 28, 2014
Precious Blue Johnson's world is turned upside down when the only father she has known reveals he is not her real dad. Precious has already lost her mother during childbirth. Now she is on the quest from a small Georgia town to New York to find her real father.
Along her journey she meets Ms. Ann. A former ballerina who encourages Precious to dance. Precious is a terrific dancer, Ms Ann is determined to make her the best. Ms. Ann comes with her own story that is soon revealed. She also meets Ray, the man that steals her heart. Precious and Ray's relationship comes with challanges; his drug addicted mother. Will Precious find out the real truth of her life?
This is my first time reading a book by Marian Thomas. It will not be my last. Her story telling is very fluid. I enjoyed how the author went back in time to tell the stories of everyone. This was an inspiring story and a great book that I could not put down.
Along her journey she meets Ms. Ann. A former ballerina who encourages Precious to dance. Precious is a terrific dancer, Ms Ann is determined to make her the best. Ms. Ann comes with her own story that is soon revealed. She also meets Ray, the man that steals her heart. Precious and Ray's relationship comes with challanges; his drug addicted mother. Will Precious find out the real truth of her life?
This is my first time reading a book by Marian Thomas. It will not be my last. Her story telling is very fluid. I enjoyed how the author went back in time to tell the stories of everyone. This was an inspiring story and a great book that I could not put down.
May 12, 2014
This book is written beautifully; the story flows easily, the characters leap off the page; I love the way the author wrapped real life events into the story of Precious Blue Johnson. This story touched my heart, and made me fall in love with Precious, because like her, I was searching for my biological father too.
Blue Butterfly tells more than the story of a girl who becomes a ballerina at a time when black ballerinas were practically unheard of. It also tells the story of unrequited love, prejudice, and family secrets. It has the right amount of drama, along with the bittersweet taste of forbidden love. It makes you want to laugh, cry, fall out, and cuss, especially when Precious reads her mother's journal, and learns what her grandmother did. It had me wanting to strangle that lady, but good!
I'd recommend Blue Butterfly to anyone who's looking for a great read!
Blue Butterfly tells more than the story of a girl who becomes a ballerina at a time when black ballerinas were practically unheard of. It also tells the story of unrequited love, prejudice, and family secrets. It has the right amount of drama, along with the bittersweet taste of forbidden love. It makes you want to laugh, cry, fall out, and cuss, especially when Precious reads her mother's journal, and learns what her grandmother did. It had me wanting to strangle that lady, but good!
I'd recommend Blue Butterfly to anyone who's looking for a great read!
April 15, 2014
Nothing like a real love story ...and who's words better then the authors to sum things up ... " a county girl who lost all hope, who found dreams, love, heartache and joy" ... one I can read over again EXCELLENT
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews