First of all, I love the cover. It is true what they say that a picture is worth a thousand words and this one is gorgeous with the girl and butterflies. It is intriguing, mysterious and mesmerising in its beauty and where the story begins for me. And wow, what a story! I was drawn in from the first page of narration but just before that, we are given two beautiful drawings of the locations with the Landing, the rivers, Maitland, Morpeth and Ash Island. These help us visualise the importance of the settings and provide a clear vision of where everything begins.
The story starts in 1922 with Miss Verity Binks who is a writer for The Arrow newspaper. She is called in to the office of her boss Mr Bailey. Quickly we know her life is about to change. The soldiers are back from the war and her job now is being given to one of the men who have returned. Mr Bailey makes his case clear that he has no other option but let her go, even though she is very good at her job. His only offering is that he can pay her stringers’ rates for a few articles. And he promises to help where he can for he says it’s the ‘least I can do for the daughter of one of our heroes, never mind the promise I made Sid.’ This loss is her first challenge and we know there will be more to come. She also deals with the perception of what women were to be at that time—dependant on a husband. But she is not one to entertain convention and of course we know she is about to set her own course, rather than be dictated by society’s current rules. Once again, Tea gives us a potentially strong determined woman who aims to change the course of events that befall her.
I felt very at ease with the writing—so smooth like the flow of a river. Back and forth we venture between two timelines of 1922 and 1868 where a mystery begins and continues into the later timeline. A family story that is filled with many twists and turns and unexpected directions and surprises. This is one complex page turner with lots to keep you on your toes. So many intriguing details and mysterious elements flutter around its core. Including the spotting of a rare butterfly. Tea fleshes out through her characters and plot, powerful historical events that span such topics of women losing their jobs after the war, baby farming and coverups of illegal activities behind facades of class/position. There is also the display of abusive treatment to women who became pregnant out of wedlock. Family names, stolen children and pay offs—are all part of the fabric of this fascinating and, at times, heartbreaking story.
Verity of 1922 is a very likeable and admirable character that I could sympathise with and cheer on in her quest for truth and justice. I found myself carefully watching her steps and often wondering how she was going to solve the family mysteries. Inevitably, it was destined to be an all-consuming search. She meets others on the journey she rubs the wrong way, exposes and disarms but she also finds allies who march beside her in uncovering some epic lies. Many who have much to gain (and lose) by the discoveries. Of course, there is an eventual romance, gentle and unpretentious but it is not the prime focus of Verity’s story.
As mentioned, the novel opens in 1922, but with its setting starting in Sydney. Other chapters take us back in time to 1868 at Morpeth with Theodora, the artist butterfly lady, who desires to be free to make her own decisions and to explore what might be out there waiting for her to grasp. She yearns to hone her skills and to pursue her passion. And then from the same time period we meet Clarrie, Verity’s Grandmother, who works for the Reverend as a ‘maid-of-all-work’. She has been with Sid (a newspaper feature writer) for three years. Theirs is a wonderful union but they have not managed to save enough to marry and she has become pregnant. She does not regret her condition but hiding her secret becomes difficult and poses many issues to come. Through her and others we learn some pretty hair raising things of what was happening in those days to unwed mothers and babies.
I found both time threads equally fascinating for one is dependent on the other. The complete story is like a beautifully laid puzzle where eventually pieces click into place. The presentation of the facts of the times felt authentic. Tea has done her research well. Her exquisite descriptions left me feeling truly transported to the locations and all the beauty that abounded in the natural world. And not to forget the butterflies, who are another piece of the fascinating story’s fabric—carrying their own message, as Theodora would say.
The Butterfly Collector is a beautifully written story and I think maybe one of my very favourites of Tea Cooper. I highly recommend this novel for historical fiction lovers. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Many thanks to HQ Fiction AU (Harper Collins Australia) and Netgalley for my review copy.
