I'm not sure whether I enjoyed this book or utterly loathed it. Some of the characters in the book (Nuno, Toby, Julian, Sam, etc) redeemed this to 4 stars otherwise I'd most likely rate it a 0 star.Ramon Campione StoryThe plot totally lost integrity for me due to the sexist, irritating, weak, condescending creep that is Ramon Campione (the principal protagonist's father). He was an unmitigated diaster - the most selfish, pathetic weak loathsome being whom I felt utter disgust. Furthermore, who possessed the utter audacity to justify his weakness and utter immorality behind the most shallow arguments to convince the readers why he was a terrible absentee father and husband i.e. blaming his wife (a feeble minded creature called Helena).I'm not a vindictive person, however, if Roman had received his just desserts than I would have felt satisfied with the ending. However, this book was a treatise to his utter nonsense. Every feminist will be insulted by Ramon Campione and Helena's story. Its an affront to women's lib. The age old burden of blaming a woman for a man's weakness. I appreciate Helena has some culpability in the events that took place, however, considering the circumstances, Ramon is seriously a horrid piece of work hiding behind an affable exterior and a misguided philosophy.Helana's story is rather tragic in a pathetic way. She's a feeble minded bimbo of a character, however, she did not deserve her fate. Perhaps if she had not married so young and had learned more from life she would have been a better person. All I can say is – thank God for career women. Helena's story tells you why you ought NOT to put all your eggs in one basket, particularly if that basket is a man.It starts of like a typical Mills & Boon story – with blonde English Helena, a beautiful 18 year old naïve country girl who falls instantly in love with the tall, very dark handsome Roman, an exotic charismatic Italian Chilean romantic wanderer. They marry and move to Chile, where (anyone would have guessed) Helena depends on him heavily and becomes needy (so far from home, away from her friends and family and so foreign – what did he expect??). This neediness begins to permeate her character until she's becomes contemptible. Roman's response is to wander off to far parts of the world despite his responsibly to this needy woman he dumped in Chile and his children.He becomes an absent father who indirectly blames his wife for why his son Hal didn't feel a deep affection for him like his daughter Frederica. Frederica loves her father unconditionally (blind hero-worship manifests itself throughout the novel with other characters too), with very little effort on his part (view spoiler)[(this doormat characteristic in Frederica is in built from a young age and almost ruins her life (as you will find later)). (hide spoiler)]
I really enjoyed this book,as always she sets the scene so well.I could easily imagine both Federicas life in Chile andin Cornwall.The book illustrated the different types of love and how by being possessive and controlling love could die.Helena stifled Ramon but Estella didn't.Torguil tried to do the same with Federicas but it was Sam who waited patiently and allowed Federicas to realise her true feelings.The only thing to disapoint me was the hasty conclusion where everyone seemed to get what they wanted and be happy.
What do You think about The Butterfly Box (2002)?
HET VLINDERKISTJEFederica wordt geboren in Chili. Haar Engelse moeder Helena is getrouwd met Ramon, een schrijver. Hij verblijft echter het grootste deel van het jaar in het buitenland. Helena, die niet meer tegen de eenzaamheid kan, stelt hem een ultimatum: hij moet vaker thuis zijn of zij zal met de kinderen naar Cornwall terugkeren. Ramon weigert en de trotse Helena verhuist naar Engeland. Federica koestert daar het prachtige ingelegde vlinderkistje dat haar vader haar ooit gaf. Ze keert jaren later terug naar Chili om de ware betekenis ervan te ontdekken en zo haar eigen geluk te vinden.
—Marijn Vanbelle
