Bella Butterfly

The beautiful butterfly of fate touches the lives of Chiara, an adventurous free spirit, and Ava, young and full of hopes and dreams. They are strangers when they meet on board a ship bound for Australia, yet they feel a spiritual connection. What is the bond that Chiara and Ava are destined to share in the future? In 'Bella Butterfly, ' author Marie Van-Doorn lays bare the lives of two passionate Italian women who migrate to Australia with their respective families in 1956. We follow Chiara and Ava and the men who love them through happy times, hard times and desperately sad times. Their stories are told against the backdrop of the harsh realities of Australian society encountered by migrants at that time. Chiara has the soul of a gypsy and is wise beyond her years. She is plunged into a turbulent coming-of-age. Ava, naive and delicate, has a strength in ways that are gentle, loving and loyal. All she desires is a home and children with Nico, the love of her life. In the novel, we meet some fascinating characters, watch friendships and camaraderie grow and follow the butterfly as it lights the path forward through the darkest times of their lives.