Black Butterflies: A Novel

Shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, this novel unfolds against the backdrop of the Balkan conflict in the early 1990s. It is a poignant tale of struggle and optimism, marking the debut of a powerful voice in literature. The protagonist, Zora, confronts the ravages of war with bravery, determination, and a profound faith in the transformative power of art.

Set in Sarajevo during the spring of 1992, the city is fractured each night by nationalist factions erecting makeshift barricades that segregate neighborhoods along ethnic lines. Despite this division, each morning residents—whether Muslim, Croat, or Serb—come together to dismantle these barriers in an act of defiance against impending violence.

As tensions escalate and conflict becomes inevitable, Zora, an artist and educator, makes the heart-wrenching decision to send her husband and elderly mother to safety in England. However, she remains in Sarajevo, clinging to the hope that the strife will soon subside. But the city soon falls under siege, and the landscape she cherishes is reduced to rubble, with the haunting imagery of black ashes drifting over rooftops.

Yet amidst the chaos and destruction, Zora and her circle of friends discover ways to rebuild their shattered lives time and again. Their journey is portrayed with visceral immediacy, capturing the unraveling of their world, their resilience in the face of adversity, and the enduring hope that sustains them.

"A reflective novel about dark times that tells us life goes on, love stories develop, humanity remains in the most inhumane of times," praised the Irish Independent. This narrative not only chronicles the disintegration of a city but also celebrates the indomitable human spirit and the redemptive power of creativity.

Through lyrical prose and profound storytelling, this debut novel invites readers into a world where courage and despair coexist, where art serves as both a shield against despair and a beacon of hope. It is a testament to the enduring strength of the human soul in times of unimaginable turmoil, marking its author as a compelling new voice in contemporary literature.

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