The Butterfly's Daughter Paperback – April 17, 2012

A beautifully written story about love, loss, forgiveness, growth and transformation of a young woman and the journey through it all. I had a hard time putting this book down when I read it previously, on loan from my aunt, and decided I wanted a copy of my own.

I bought this book because it was the only one of Mary Alice Monroe's books that I didn't read. But, once started, I couldn't put it down. Luz is a Mexican-American who had a German father. She was raised by her loving Grandmother who felt it was time to take a trip from Milwaukee where they lived to San Antonio and on to Mexico in time to celebrate the Day of the Dead and see the Monarch butterflies arrive. When her Grandmother passes away, Luz is determined to take her Grandmother's ashes to Mexico as she wanted. Along the way, she meets some funny, sad and quirky people but she just keeps going. She meets long-lost family and others. In the end, she gets to Mexico in time to bury her Grandmother's ashes and see where thousands of migrating Monarch butterflies finally arrive. There's more to this story involving her mother but I don't want to give the whole story away. It's an uplifting tale of love, forgiveness and trust.

I am a huge, huge Mary Alice Monroe fan since Beach House, I went to a used bookstore and got every book she had written before that and have eagerly awaited all her books since then. I really do not know how she can weave family dynamics and nature into wonderful, enthralling novels, but she does and does it well. I learn so much about nature from her books, she is truly amazing. The only book I have ready by Mary Alice that I really didn't get into was "Last Light Over Carolina", it wasn't a bad book, just not my fav.Luz is at the same time likeable and irratating...I suppose like a lot of young people, however, Abuela (grandma) has never let her down and has raised her single handedly from early childhood, so what was the problem of them going to Mexico. MONEY!!! Luz doesn't think they have enough, Abuela has faith enough to see them thru. Abuela dies suddenly and Luz then decides to take the trip to follow the Monarch Butterflies on their epic journey home.You learn what happenend to Luz's mother, Abuela's other daughter, the rest of the family, the quirkie characters that Luz forms an attachment to, but most of all you learn about the monarchs and the coming of age of Luz. The power of family that essentially ties us to one another. In Mexico Luz learns more than just about the monarchs, she learns a valuable lesson about family, love and forgiveness. I learned those lessons as well.I'm not going to give away the plot, but a downer for me was learning about Luz's mother and in true Forrest Gump style, that's all I have to say about that.Cannot wait for Mary Alice's next novel.

Mary Alice Monroe is my favorite author. I don't really care for romance novels so when I read about this book, which was the first of hers I read, I fell in love with the story line. I've read each and everyone of her books and love that she writes primarily about the east coast and always about women's relationships, mothers and daughters, grandmothers, sisters and friends. Books about women and their love for one another and the earth that feeds their souls. Even though this one was not written about the coast it is about the relationship of Mother, Daughter, Grandmother and friends she meets along the way and following the migration of the Monarch is not only interesting and fascinating, it's enlightening as well. It's a great book for women of all ages, all of her books are. Give yourself a gift, buy this book, find a comfy place and enjoy.

I am a fan of this writer and most of her books are focused around the Carolinas. This book is different as the storyline ventures into Mexico. You will be amused by the monarch butterfly details that begin every chapter so this is an informative and entertaining read. Definitely one of her better books.

I have read many of Mary Alice Monroe's novels and have LOVED ALL OF THEM! This was different yet filled with wonderful female friendships & mother-daughter relationships. Maybe the Monarch butterflies & the Mexican culture made it even MORE! But to me, IT WAS SOOO MUCH MORE ENJOYABLE!

I really enjoy reading/listening to books, that even tho they are fiction, you get an education from them! MAM seems to do a lot of research which she includes in the story that makes it very interesting. I enjoyed this book about the migration of the butterflies just like I did previously with her books about turtles. I find it really interesting that I become a little more educated even tho the book is actually fiction.

The Butterfly's Daughter was on the List to read/discuss for Book Club. It is a romantic story and a light read; yet, gives its reader details of Monarch Butterflies' annual migration from the U. S. to Mexico. Ms. Monroe uses the migration as a metaphor for the life of the young heroine, a young single woman who works and lives with her grandmother in Milwaukee, WI. Due to a vast age difference, I had a bit of difficulty relating to this heroine. However, glad I pushed on, and discovered the fascinating information revealed about the Monarchs.I would recommend this book to a reader, perhaps of Senior high school or early college age.

Interesting story about a Mexican American family of women and an association they have with the life cycle of Monarch Butterflies. A story about a journey of motherly love, sorrow, joy, penitence and reverence all woven within the life cycle of the Monarch Butterfly. Its a good read, Monroe 's descriptions are intriguing. The audiobook version plays for 12 hours and so cannot be reasonably listened to in one sitting. The narrator has a pleasant voice aptly suited to the telling of this story.

story line was unique.

Fasting shipping. Great book. Love this author