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The Summer of The Mourning Cloak
The Summer of the Mourning Cloak is the story of a visit which changes lives forever. The title refers to a beautiful, rarely seen butterfly, The Camberwell Beauty, sometimes know as The Mourning Cloak, which is used throughout the novel to symbolise the emotional journey of the protagonist. The main character is an 11-year-old girl, Hyslop, who arrives in England from Italy with her emotionally distant mother Vanessa. In the past they have flitted from the shelter of one wealthy man to another, but Hyslop finally finds love and stability from her godmother Sandy and an eccentric old man, Sir Northcote Hemmings. He teaches her about butterflies and asks her to find him a Camberwell Beauty, a butterfly that is something of a Holy Grail for both of them.
The parallel world of butterflies that is explored throughout the narrative invites the reader into Hyslop’s imagination, where her fascination with butterflies mirrors her desire to be free from her mother’s cruel domination. Hyslop is shadowed by a lonely local boy, Zak, who is bullied both at home and at school, and his fascination with her reflects the way her glamorous mother charms everyone with her beauty. As flighty Vanessa’s powers start waning, Hyslop is just beginning to find her wings. Will Hyslop find her ideal habitat in the end?
This book offers a refreshing insight into a child’s perspective of our natural world and will appeal primarily to children aged 10 to 16, whilst also interesting butterfly lovers of any age. The detailed descriptions of British butterflies are both informative and entertaining. They educate the reader whilst taking them on a rich and colourful adventure. Kathleen Nelson admires children’s books by Philip Pullman which blur the genre boundaries between children’s and adult fiction. She suggests that her book is reminiscent of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
The parallel world of butterflies that is explored throughout the narrative invites the reader into Hyslop’s imagination, where her fascination with butterflies mirrors her desire to be free from her mother’s cruel domination. Hyslop is shadowed by a lonely local boy, Zak, who is bullied both at home and at school, and his fascination with her reflects the way her glamorous mother charms everyone with her beauty. As flighty Vanessa’s powers start waning, Hyslop is just beginning to find her wings. Will Hyslop find her ideal habitat in the end?
This book offers a refreshing insight into a child’s perspective of our natural world and will appeal primarily to children aged 10 to 16, whilst also interesting butterfly lovers of any age. The detailed descriptions of British butterflies are both informative and entertaining. They educate the reader whilst taking them on a rich and colourful adventure. Kathleen Nelson admires children’s books by Philip Pullman which blur the genre boundaries between children’s and adult fiction. She suggests that her book is reminiscent of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
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First published April 28, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 24, 2014
Review copy provided through NetGalley.
This gorgeous, moving, wonderful book is one of my favorite books I've read all year. Insect-obsessed Hyslop is brought to England by her neglectful, emotionally abusive mother, and there discovers a beloved community, including a butterfly-loving old man with Tourette's. Hyslop is a fantastic character, resilient and curious and lovely, though we see her imperfections in the chapters from the viewpoint of Zak, the learning disabled local boy who is infatuated with her -- ironically, through Zak's idealized perspective of her, we see her flaws as she uses Zak rather cruelly. Hyslop is capable of her mother's icy manipulations, but she is saved from that path by the love of those who care about her and their fostering of her interest in butterflies. I adore this book and highly recommend it.
This gorgeous, moving, wonderful book is one of my favorite books I've read all year. Insect-obsessed Hyslop is brought to England by her neglectful, emotionally abusive mother, and there discovers a beloved community, including a butterfly-loving old man with Tourette's. Hyslop is a fantastic character, resilient and curious and lovely, though we see her imperfections in the chapters from the viewpoint of Zak, the learning disabled local boy who is infatuated with her -- ironically, through Zak's idealized perspective of her, we see her flaws as she uses Zak rather cruelly. Hyslop is capable of her mother's icy manipulations, but she is saved from that path by the love of those who care about her and their fostering of her interest in butterflies. I adore this book and highly recommend it.
May 23, 2014
Looks like a YA book, but with very adult themes.
This is a difficult book to review. On one hand, it's a well written story of a young girl discovering her passion (and a crotchety old mentor) for studying butterflies, what may be her true place in the world, and a circle of loving, creative adults that form her new 'family."
(CAUTION--spoiler alert)
But underneath the entire story runs a current of dread, which colors--and darkens--every scene. There are frequent references to former abuse. I kept expecting horrible details of sexual abuse to emerge, but late in the story the protagonist reveals that she was cleverly able to prevent that from happening--although the threat was clearly there.
A central theme is her self-centered mother's manipulative, promiscuous behavior and serial adultery. Both themes build in tandem--as Hyslop learns to love butterflies, her new home, and to trust in (most) of the adults around her, her mother's increasing selfishness threatens that new-found sense of security and the lives of everyone involved.
The story terminates with an unexpected death (or is it murder?), and a final heart-breaking betrayal of the mother-daughter bond that leave Hyslop's, her mentor's, and indeed all their friends' futures in jeopardy.
This is a difficult book to review. On one hand, it's a well written story of a young girl discovering her passion (and a crotchety old mentor) for studying butterflies, what may be her true place in the world, and a circle of loving, creative adults that form her new 'family."
(CAUTION--spoiler alert)
But underneath the entire story runs a current of dread, which colors--and darkens--every scene. There are frequent references to former abuse. I kept expecting horrible details of sexual abuse to emerge, but late in the story the protagonist reveals that she was cleverly able to prevent that from happening--although the threat was clearly there.
A central theme is her self-centered mother's manipulative, promiscuous behavior and serial adultery. Both themes build in tandem--as Hyslop learns to love butterflies, her new home, and to trust in (most) of the adults around her, her mother's increasing selfishness threatens that new-found sense of security and the lives of everyone involved.
The story terminates with an unexpected death (or is it murder?), and a final heart-breaking betrayal of the mother-daughter bond that leave Hyslop's, her mentor's, and indeed all their friends' futures in jeopardy.
June 18, 2014
Hyslop had a secure, loving home with her grandmother until the grandmother died. Hyslop's father had died when she was young, and after her mother left them. Unfortunately, Hyslop's mother Vanessa is given custody of her after the grandmother's death. It is quickly apparent that Vanessa made the right decision abandoning her daughter as she does not have maternal instincts. The story focuses on one summer in Hyslop's life when Vanessa, in an attempt to find a more long-term situation, arranges a stay in the cottage on the estate of an old friend. Hyslop befriends an elderly man, apparently with Tourette's syndrome. She also tolerates the presence of a local boy who somewhat creepily follows her around. Hyslop's character is inconsistent. Vanessa could be a truly delicious, evil character, except that this is a children's book. It almost seems as if the author couldn't decide whose story to tell, Hyslop's or Vanessa's. While the story is compelling, I would have a hard time recommending this book to anyone but the most bug-loving reader. Not recommended.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews