The Butterfly’s Daughter (2011) - Mary Alice Monroe

Written by Mary Alice Monroe
Format: MP3

Each fall, millions of delicate, orange and black butterflies journey more than 2,000 miles from the United States and Canada to overwinter in the mountains of Mexico. The annual migration of the monarch is a phenomenal story - a miracle of instinct and survival. In The Butterfly’s Daughter, four very different women embark on a transformational voyage of self-discovery that follows the monarch’s journey from the upper Midwest through Texas to Mexico.

When Luz Avila’s grandmother, the local butterfly lady, unexpectedly dies, Luz is compelled to carry her ashes home to her mountain village in Mexico. Inspired by the Aztec myth of the goddess who brings light to the world, Luz attracts a collection of women, each seeking change in her life. Yet no one’s life changes more that Luz’s when she meets her long-lost mother, a woman she had believed dead.

Their mishaps, trials, and joys are met with humor and compassion, culminating in their triumphant arrival in Mexico on the Day of the Dead celebration. The Mexican people believe the monarchs are the spirits of the recently departed, and a resplendent Luz feels the magic as she brings her grandmother’s ashes home - just as millions of monarchs flutter through the village on their way to the sanctuary.

Rich with keen insight and filled with lush imagery, The Butterfly’s Daughter is a heartwarming and unforgettable tale of mothers, daughters, and friends.