Black Butterflies A Novel
Black Butterflies A Novel by Priscilla Morris, published by Random House on July 22, 2025, is a poignant exploration of resilience set against the backdrop of the Balkans conflict in the early ’90s. This debut novel follows Zora, an artist and teacher, as she navigates the turmoil of Sarajevo in spring 1992. With her husband and elderly mother evacuated to safety, Zora remains in a city increasingly divided by violence, grappling with the destruction of her home and the enduring power of art.
Readers will find a narrative that delves into themes of domestic life and the human spirit amidst chaos. As Zora confronts the harsh realities of war, she and her friends discover ways to rebuild their lives, reflecting a profound sense of hope and determination. The novel captures the complexities of identity and community during a time of strife, offering a unique perspective on the impact of conflict on everyday life. With 288 pages, this edition presents a compelling story that resonates with the subjects of literature and historical fiction.
Official synopsis Publisher
SHORT-LISTED FOR THE WOMEN’S PRIZE FOR FICTION. A timeless story of strife and hope set during the conflict in the Balkans in the early ’90s—a searing debut novel about a woman who faces the war on her doorstep with courage, fierceness, and an unshakable belief in the power of art.
“A reflective novel . . . that tells us life goes on, love stories develop, humanity remains in the most inhumane of times.” —Irish Independent
Sarajevo, spring 1992. Each night, nationalist gangs erect makeshift barricades, splitting the city into ethnic enclaves. Each morning, the people who live there—whether Muslim, Croat, or Serb—push the barriers aside.
When violence erupts and becomes, finally, unavoidable, Zora, an artist and teacher, sends her husband and elderly mother to safety in England. She stays behind, reluctant to believe that hostilities will last more than a few weeks. As the city falls under siege, everything she loves about her home is laid to waste, black ashes floating over the rooftops. Yet Zora and her friends find ways to rebuild themselves, over and over. Told with breathtaking immediacy, this is a story of disintegration, resilience, and hope—a stirring debut from a commanding new voice.
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