• Praise Song for the Butterflies

  • A Novel
  • By: Bernice L. McFadden
  • Narrated by: Robin Miles
  • Length: 5 hrs and 47 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (236 ratings)

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Praise Song for the Butterflies  By  cover art

Praise Song for the Butterflies

By: Bernice L. McFadden
Narrated by: Robin Miles
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Publisher's summary

Abeo Kata lives a comfortable, happy life in West Africa as the privileged nine-year-old daughter of a government employee and stay-at-home mother. But when the Katas' idyllic lifestyle takes a turn for the worse, Abeo's father, following his mother's advice, places the girl in a religious shrine, hoping that the sacrifice of his daughter will serve as atonement for the crimes of his ancestors. Unspeakable acts befall Abeo for the 15 years she is held in the shrine. When she is finally rescued, broken and battered, she must struggle to overcome her past, endure the revelation of family secrets, and learn to trust and love again.

In the tradition of Chris Cleave's Little Bee, this novel is a contemporary story that offers an eye-opening account of the practice of ritual servitude in West Africa. Spanning decades and two continents, Praise Song for the Butterflies will break your heart and then heal it.

"An engrossing novel that truly is a praise song for survivors everywhere." (Kirkus Reviews)

"A tale set in [West Africa], where a girl is given up by her family, endures a very hard life, and, once set free, must find a way to heal and live forward." (Philadelphia Inquirer, included in Must-Read Books for Summer 2018)

"Recent favorites [at Mahogany Books in Washington, DC] include...award-winning novelist Bernice L. McFadden's forthcoming Praise Song for the Butterflies, about a nine-year-old West African girl sacrificed into religious servitude." (Vanity Fair, included in a feature on Mahogany Books)

©2018 Bernice L. McFadden (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Praise Song for the Butterflies

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Searing!

I've been waiting all summer for this audiobook's release. Bernice McFadden is one of my favorite writers. She's a master of spare language; of the sharp detail that will unravel a tale as dark as any in the news. The image of a peanut rolling up to a yellow flip-flop and catalyses dreadful action is burned into my mind's eye.

"Praise Song" is in the expert hands of narrator Robin Miles and I can hardly think of anyone who could relate each character's flaws and troubles, as well as tenderness, with so much grace.

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11 people found this helpful

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Great read!

This was a wonderful book! My only wish is that it was longer. The narrator was second to none(Robin Miles never disappoints)! I recommend.

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6 people found this helpful

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Amazing story, title makes perfect sense

Bernice McFadden!!!! The journeys you take us on, the way in which your works cause us to evolve in our own lives!!!!

I truly felt this story, I saw the story play out as I listened to Robin Miles work her narrative magic.

This is a book to be read more than once as so many ideas about the rightness of life are challenged!!!

If I had a book club this would be read immediately!!!
This book touched my soul in a way that The Bluest Eye did many moons ago.....

The God of your understanding, perfect!

Some books change your life, validate your life, challenge your life, expand your life.

All of the above.

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5 people found this helpful

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Horrible System, Wonderful Storytelling

I devour Bernice McFadden books. I finished this in a day because I couldn't stop listening. I was horrified to listen and learn that this has existed for 300 years. Young girls and women are always the sacrifice in every culture. As with all of her other books, the characters are well developed and the story is engrossing. There was one part that left me unsatisfied, i wanted some suffering for the others, but the story didn't lack anything because of it. The narrator always does a great job. It's a quick listen and worth every minute.

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4 people found this helpful

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Beautifully written & delivered

Enjoyed this book very much. Hard to hear the middle section as although this is fiction it is real, in all kinds of ways, for so many in our world even now. I felt joy, alongside and for Abeo as, little by little, she allowed the sunshine back into her mind and heart.
The narration was perfect. I absolutely loved the voices from the beginning to the end.

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Inspiring & Introspective

I loved everything...everything about this story! The journey of this family is common no matter the race or creed. Lies destroy the family structure. Unmasking the lies allow truth to be the bond that causes forgiveness. True healing comes from the inside out, whereby giving love permision to thrive and the soul the strength to survive so the spirit can fly. This story creatively and completely embodies the true meaning of inner beauty, inner forgiveness and inner love. Bravo to the author!

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WONDERFUL AND MOVING.

A wonderful moving listen the narrator did an outstanding job and you could tell one character from another. I thoroughly enjoyed this audio i went through the whole range of emotions.

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Beautifully crafted storytelling!

A masterfully written story of love, loss, betrayal and resilience. So we'll paved and lyrically written.

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Great book-Don’t listen at work

I am never disappointed by A book from Bernice McFadden and this was no exception. My only problem was that I listened to it at work and between me yelling out OMG and crying periodically I think my coworkers think I’ve lost my mind.

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2 people found this helpful

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An incredible and beautiful story

This audio book is simply magnificent. The beautiful African accents are second only to the amazing story. A story of cruelty, great love, forgiveness, and new life. Read it!!

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