The Butterfly Room

Lucinda Riley is an author I have come to love and respect. But this book falls way short of what I've come to expect from her novels. Sure, it kept my attention. And I kept turning the each page. But this book lacks subtlety and polish, the plot is overly melodramatic, and even some of the dialog is heavy handed and clumsy. To me, it feels like this one was written in a hurry, throwing together a bunch of dramatic themes and elements -- all to capitalize on the popularity of Riley's SEVEN SISTERS series. THE BUTTERFLY ROOM is another one of those non-linear novels that are so popular these days, where the book moves back and forth in time, slowly building a full picture of someone's life. This novel's central character is Posy, a 70-year old British widow living alone in her family's very large ancestral home, Admiral House. Part of the story tells about her childhood during World War II at Admiral House, her adolescence in Cornwall with her Grandmother, and her pioneering studies as one of the first women admitted to study at Cambridge University. And she has a couple of romances while pursuing a short lived career as a botanist at Kew Gardens. The second part of the novel is Posy's "current" life -- dealing with the problems of her two grown sons, trying to figure out what to do with the rapidly deteriorating Admiral House that has become too expensive to maintain, and the sudden reappearance of a long-lost love. (Does it get more trite than that?) And oh, the trials and tribulations! Which is where more sappy melodrama gets layered on. • There are, of course, long-buried family secrets that, when revealed, challenge decades of beliefs. • A young single mother dying of leukemia. • Relationships that end suddenly, accompanied by moves halfway around the world. • Entrepreneurs who start-- then either fail OR succeed -- in multiple businesses ventures. • Alcoholism, bullying and domestic abuse. And all the while, all the women are smart, kind, and beautiful and all but one of the men handsome, loving, and successful. Then, of course, at the end, every single storyline is tied up perfectly so that there is a happy ending for all. I think going forward I will try to be more discerning about reading ALL the works of a favorite author. Because it appears that anyone is capable of writing a clunker.

This epic saga was beautifully written with enticingly mysterious and cleverly intertwining storylines that were threaded with a few heavy secrets and shattering tragedies that this grievously wily author used to taunt and tease me while brutally dangling them rather barbarously out of my reach. I was invested and immersed in the complexities of the characters’ overlapping and oddly compelling family dynamics after being bewitched and pleasantly enthralled by Posy’s early childhood history and interactions with her beloved father. But there was something not quite right about her household and I had numerous suspicions and licentious theories, many of which were incorrect, but I wasn’t too far afield as the long-held secrets had been scandalous in their time as well as heartbreaking. This was my first experience reading this master-storyteller and where have I been, she has written thirty books already? The writing was of extraordinary quality with densely detailed and evocative elements and scenes laced together with vibrantly painted and richly textured descriptions as well as insightful and emotive observations. It was maddeningly paced and kept me a bit on edge, like waiting for a massive heart attack as the various glossy threads were weaving into a tighter design. It was divine and despite all the mystery, angst, and tragedy, the final chapter left me with a light and contented feeling with an ending that pleased me and placed a restful smile on my face.

Voice OK but this story seems to be a fast written rubbish.