Kitty S. (kittynewengland) reviewed on 7/3/2012 + 116 more book reviews

Inspired by true events, The Butterfly Cabinet tells the haunting story of a young girl's death and her mother's subsequent imprisonment in 1890s Northern Ireland. The story is told in two voices--via the mother, through her prison diary, and the maid who, now in her old age, is the last surviving member of the family/household who lived in the mansion at the time of Charlotte's death. I will say that the big reveal that is hinted at throughout the book did not live up to the hype. The book did make me think about how limited the options were for women in 19th century. Harriet should never have been a mother. She loved riding horses and collecting butterflies, but she could not muster any affection for her children. If she were born today she could chose to not have children and have lived a happy, content life. This does not excuse her coldness and abuse of her children, but I can see her as a victim of her times.

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