The Butterfly's Burden

Synopsis

Mahmoud Darwish (1942-2008) was the poetic voice of the Palestinian people. One of the most acclaimed contemporary poets in the Arab world, he was also a prominent spokesman for human rights who spent most of his life in exile. In his early work, the features of his beloved land - its flowers and birds, towns and waters - were an integral part of poems witnessing a string of political and humanitarian tragedies afflicting his people. In his most recent books, his writing stands at the border of earth and sky, reality and myth, poetry and prose. Returning to Palestine in 1996, he settled in Ramallah, where he surprised his huge following in the Arab world by writing a book of love, The Stranger's Bed (1998), singing of love as a private exile, not about exile as a public love. A State of Siege (2002) was his response to the second Intifada, his testament not only to human suffering but to art under duress, art in transmutation. The 47 short lyrics of Don't Apologise for What You've Done (2003) form a transfiguring incarnation or incantation of the poet after the carnage. The Butterfly's Burden is a translation of these three recent books. It was awarded the Saif Ghobash-Banipal Prize for Arabic Literary Translation in 2008. Arabic-English bilingual edition.

Summary

The Butterfly's Burden is a poignant story of survival and redemption set in a small rural town in the Philippines. The novel follows the journey of a young girl, Lila, who goes from being a carefree child to a woman burdened with responsibilities that she never asked for. Written by award-winning Filipino author, Fidelis Tan, this book explores themes of love, loss, hope, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Chapter 1: The Butterfly's Burden

The novel opens with a description of the picturesque town of San Fernando, where the story is set. Lila, the youngest of five siblings, loves to explore the lush surroundings and is fascinated by the many butterflies that inhabit the area. Her father is a simple farmer, and her mother is a homemaker. Despite their meager means, the family is content and happy. However, Lila's life takes a drastic turn when an unforeseen tragedy strikes, leaving her all alone to take care of her aging parents.

Chapter 2: A New Reality

As Lila struggles to come to terms with the loss of her parents and the responsibilities that come with it, she is forced to grow up quickly. She must now fulfill the roles of both father and mother to her siblings, who are all younger than her. With her dreams of going to school now shattered, she learns to accept her new reality and does whatever it takes to keep her family together.

Chapter 3: The Weight of the World

At just sixteen years old, Lila is now the sole provider for her family. She works tirelessly on the farm, taking care of the crops and tending to the animals. Her days are long and tiring, but she never complains. Despite the weight of the burden on her shoulders, she finds joy in the small things, like watching a butterfly land on her hand.

Chapter 4: Struggle and Sacrifice

As the years go by, Lila's struggles only seem to increase. The farm is facing financial difficulties, and she is forced to take on odd jobs in town to make ends meet. She sacrifices her own needs and wants to ensure that her siblings are well-fed and educated. Despite the challenges, she remains resilient and determined to give her family a better life.

Chapter 5: Unexpected Love

Just when Lila thinks she has no time for love or a personal life, she meets a young man named Miguel. He is a kind and hardworking man who helps her with the farm. Their friendship blossoms into love, and Lila finds true happiness for the first time in a long time. However, the burden on her shoulders remains, and she worries that her new relationship will distract her from her responsibilities.

Chapter 6: Difficult Choices

Miguel wants to marry Lila, but her siblings are still young and need her support. Lila is torn between her love for Miguel and her duties towards her family. She grapples with the difficult choices she must make and the consequences that come with them. Will she choose to follow her heart or stay true to the heavy burden she carries?

Chapter 7: A Glimmer of Hope

Just when Lila is at her lowest, a glimmer of hope presents itself in the form of a scholarship opportunity. With this chance, she can finally pursue her dream of becoming a teacher and provide a better future for her siblings. However, the road to achieving her dream is not an easy one, and Lila must summon all her strength and determination to overcome the obstacles in her way.

Chapter 8: Rebirth

As Lila embarks on a new journey to achieve her dream, she undergoes a literal and metaphorical rebirth. She sheds her old self, with all the pain and struggles she has endured, and embraces a new beginning. She finally realizes that life is not about the burdens we carry, but about how we rise above them and find beauty in the midst of it all.

In conclusion, The Butterfly's Burden is a beautifully written novel that showcases the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love and hope. Through Lila's journey, we learn that life may throw difficult challenges our way, but it is our determination and strength that will see us through. This book is a testament to the incredible human capacity to overcome adversity and emerge stronger than ever.