Set in Southern Rhodesia during the late 1940s, Butterfly Burning tells the tragic love story of protagonist Phephelaphi and the much-older Fumbatha. Their relationship leaves her wanting more: she desires to become the first black nurse in her town of Bulawayo. After finding out about an unwanted pregnancy that would prohibit her chances of entering the nursing program, Phephelaphi commits a self-abortion, which in turn destroys her relationship with Fumbatha. When she finds out she is pregnant again, she commits suicide by dousing herself in paraffin and lighting herself on fire.
Sarah Spence, Spring 2020 Click here for a book trailer (Dasia English, Spring 2021). |