I first came across this recipe through a friend of my daughter whose mom is from Brazil. I remember her bringing them to a get-together. I did not have chocolate sprinkles so used the ones I had. On this recipe link, a lady, from Brazil but living in U.S. now, commented that she adds a little Nesquik to the recipe since American condensed milk isn’t as sweet as Brazilian condensed milk. I did not read that in time for this recipe but did read her suggestion about putting it in a pan in order to cool before rolling into balls. And…yes, you have to butter your fingers. I thought I would try and skip that step but quickly learned you could not.
For the book…
I bought this book at Goodwill. It had an interesting plot.
Sophie Edgar barely recognizes her husband, Thomas, an amateur naturalist, when he returns from the Amazon, where he had hoped to find his long-dreamed-of mythical butterfly, Papilio sophia. The optimistic young Edwardian gentleman is gone, replaced by a weak, nearly mute shadow of the man she married. Unable to break through his heartbreaking silence, Sophie must glean what she can from his diaries and boxes of exquisite butterflies in order to discover what happened to Thomas in the lush and perilous jungles of Brazil. In the process, she learns as much about herself and her marriage as she does about the secrets harbored by a haunted soul.
A magnificent debut, written in rich and sensuous prose, Rachael King’s The Sound of Butterflies is an unforgettable journey from the demure gentility of turn-of-the-twentieth-century England into the heart of darkness.
So, I had a love/hate relationship with this book, more love than hate. First, I did not realize the backdrop to the story was based on real events. When teaching World History, I teach colonialism and the “heart of darkness” – Belgian Congo and the horrific abuses by the Belgians. I had no clue there were similar abuses in the Amazon (and over rubber trees like Belgian Congo). I believe there is no better way to learn the impact of these travesties than reading about them in novels like this one.
Second, I really liked the suspense and trying to figure out why her husband came back (from expedition) a mute. I read a comment that a person thought this was unrealistic. However, in Luke 1:20, Zechariah became mute because he did not believe what was told to him (“And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time“). I have also heard stories of people who experienced such emotional trauma that they lost their inability to speak. So, saying that, I do not think this is an unrealistic storyline.
Third, I loved how although there was such depravity during the expedition, not once did Thomas ever justify his wrong doing. Although the word “repentance” wasn’t used, I believe he was repentant, including a restoration of a broken relationship with his wife. There was a redemptive ending which leaves you with closure and a good feeling.
Now, the one thing I did not like (and it is why a few commenters stopped reading the book) was the erotic connection between Thomas and butterflies. I am not saying that is unrealistic (because his obsession was actually an idol) but I just didn’t want to read about it. However, if you can get through the first part of the book (with that part), the second half is more of the story of why he was mute (what he witnessed).
Should you read this book? If you are interested in colonial history (although this is not 1800s but early 1900s), then yes. If you like a good mystery, then yes. If you, however, are easily disturbed by what I mentioned above, then maybe not. Not sure…would love to have some friends read it and tell me what you think…
