Federica Campione adores her father. No matter that Ramon, a distinguished traveller and writer, spends months away from their home on the exotic Chilean coast; as soon as he's back, his daughter has eyes for no one but him. When he gives her a magical box from Peru she believes he will always be there for her. Devastated when her parents' marriage falls apart, Federica is forced to set up home in Cornwall with her mother - the butterfly box is the only part of her beloved father she is able to take with her to sustain her during painful times. Embraced by the eccentric Appleby family, she loses her heart to their son Sam, who barely notices the little girl until it is too late. As she grows to womanhood, Federica attempts to recapture that long-forgotten sense of security in the arms of the debonair Torquil Jensen. From the sanctuary of a seemingly perfect marriage, she embarks on a painful journey of self-discovery. It takes Federica years of heartbreak to escape her gilded cage and learn the true lesson of the butterfly box.
The Butterfly Box
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Amazon Review
Santa Montefiore's involving and dramatic novel The Butterfly Box opens in Vina del Mar, Chile, in the sweltering summer of 1982. Frederica is six years old and adores her father Ramon. He is a charismatic, good-looking adventurer who is due home after a long sojourn abroad. Frederica struggles to contain her excitement. Her mother, Helena, travelled with the glamorous Ramon Campione in the heady early days of their relationship; Ramon, a writer and photographer, travels the world and has sacrificed his family for his work. Over the years of growing disillusionment with their relationship, Helena endures his long absences waiting with the children in Chile. On his return, Ramon brings Frederica a gift: a magical box containing coruscating crystals in the form of a beautiful butterfly. According to legend, the butterfly once belonged to an Inca princess. Helena abandons her husband and returns to Cornwall with the children, and the Butterfly Box is now Frederica's sole connection with her past and her father. In Cornwall, Frederica grows up and falls in love with Sam Appleby and, later, the saturnine and charming Torquil Jensen. The lacerating relationship that follows forces her into a punishing voyage of self-discovery during which she learns the true lesson of the Butterfly Box.
Her first novel Meet Me Under the Ombu Tree established Santa Montefiore as a writer of elegance and craftsmanship working within the popular form of the romantic novel. So many novels in the genre are written in leaden-footed prose that it's a genuine revelation to find a writer as gifted as this. The Butterfly Box is couched in language that is always affecting, always truthful--even when saga conventions kick in. Few tales of love and loss exert such an emotional pull as this one. --Barry Forshaw --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
'A story told across continents, with grand themes and strong emotions.' -- Yorkshire Evening Post
'Absorbing.' -- Vogue
'Refreshing . . . imagination, charm and delicacy. Santa is the new Rosamunde Pilcher. Delightfully written.' -- Daily Mail
'Thoroughly readable . . . with old-fashioned romance' -- Evening Standard
'[An] escapist, passionate romance' -- Dorset Evening Echo
'a kaleidoscope of eccentric, vibrant characters' -- Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, Sunday Independent
'Absorbing.' -- Vogue
'Refreshing . . . imagination, charm and delicacy. Santa is the new Rosamunde Pilcher. Delightfully written.' -- Daily Mail
'Thoroughly readable . . . with old-fashioned romance' -- Evening Standard
'[An] escapist, passionate romance' -- Dorset Evening Echo
'a kaleidoscope of eccentric, vibrant characters' -- Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, Sunday Independent
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Jayaw
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a lovely book to bury yourself in amid the graphic descriptions of Chile and Cornwall. It is a lovely story of families and the way they interact, also clearly showing that every one of us has faults which affect the way we treat others.
Santa does have a habit of using ridiculous names for her characters, but if you treat these ideas as harmless fun, you will enjoy the book. The ending had tears running down my cheeks.
I have also read and enjoyed The Last Voyage of the Valentina and Meet me Under the Ombu Tree, but this is my favourite book by Santa so far.
Santa does have a habit of using ridiculous names for her characters, but if you treat these ideas as harmless fun, you will enjoy the book. The ending had tears running down my cheeks.
I have also read and enjoyed The Last Voyage of the Valentina and Meet me Under the Ombu Tree, but this is my favourite book by Santa so far.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
This book was pure escapism, you could feel the heat of South America and see the cliffs of Cornwall.
Santa Montefiore gives you a chance to look at all the characters so you can better understand what each one is going through.
She certainly knows how to make you laugh and cry aswell as keeping you hooked until there are no more pages left to turn.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book took up extensive space in my hand luggage, but was the ideal and perfect in-flight reading and I manage to read the majority of it on my flight to the States and my return flight home. It is a simple story about a girl and her love for her father. However, life is never that simple and relationships, feelings and thoughts about one person in our lives affect the relationships we have with others. This novel is no different. Love, terror, mistakes and love again are all encountered as the story moves and grows, and allows the reader to grow with it, understanding the characters, and growing themselves as they read. A great read
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Sad
I usually love her books for the feel good stories, but this one was all about heart ache and sadness. I don't enjoy books like that, they put me in a bad mood! Read more
Published 29 days ago by Sexyetti
1.0 out of 5 stars
A book club choice - and a waste of money!
I loathed this book. I thought the characters were all obnoxious, there was no tension to the 'plot' possibly because it was so laziliiy written. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Rhona Murfin
4.0 out of 5 stars
a nice story
this is a nice story and it is well written - I will be looking for more books by this author
Published 2 months ago by Fast Eddie
5.0 out of 5 stars
superb
love all her books and will continue to buy her books as they come Have read book form before but am now using my Kindle
Published 2 months ago by Mrs. S. S. V. Appleby
5.0 out of 5 stars
I loved it
Excellent book and I enjoyed it so much I have ordered three more by the author. They are all sitting in.my kindle waiting to be read. Read more
Published 3 months ago by judi seall
3.0 out of 5 stars
Romance with a twist
I enjoy Santa Montefiore's writing & found this book a delight for the most part. I was a little surprised when she entered the realms of "bondage. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mrs. V.Rees
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Butterfly Box
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to all my friends - The Butterfly Box by Santa Monteflore
Published 5 months ago by Audrey P
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another great story line
Really enjoy her books, always great story line,although The French Gardener is still my favourite!
Author always 'sucks you in to somewhere exotic!'
Author always 'sucks you in to somewhere exotic!'
Published 5 months ago by Lc Mcdonald
5.0 out of 5 stars
The butterfly box
Have read most of Santa Monteforie's book , but must have missed one as not a new novel, she did not disapoint on this story either . Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Butterfly Box
excellent read from start to finish couldnt put it down ,now looking for more stories by this author ,have now read nearlyall of santa montefiora books and have enjoyed them all
Published 7 months ago by Brenda
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