Fiction Pick of the Week: The Butterfly's Daughter

The Butterfly’s Daughter by Mary Alice Monroe 2011

This self- discovery novel blends a rich history of tradition and folklore. Luz Avila embarks on the same journey as the monarch butterfly, returning her beloved grandmother’s ashes to her birthplace in Mexico. She must reach there by The Day of the Dead on the first of November when, local custom has it, the spirits of the newly deceased arrive on the wings of the monarchs. It is a powerful celebration of man and nature in a circle of life and death; Luz is determined to be there.

Her journey, from the time she leaves Milwaukee, is full of problems, not the least of which is the battered orange Volkswagen that she bought for the journey. Luz meets interesting passengers and encounters meaningful signs that point her ever southward, despite her fears. She is able to mend a lot of what was broken in her life, especially when faced with being alone after her grandmother’s death. The trip to Angangueo is a homecoming in every sense.

The author is skilled at depicting strong female characters. She writes with humour and, best of all, has a beautiful descriptive narrative that leaves a picture in the mind’s eye. My daughter visited this place once, and now I feel I have.