The Butterfly Ball

“The Butterfly Ball” by H. T. Manogue is written in a style of poetic prose to relate a fictional story to lead the reader on a  metamorphic journey of transformation and change. H. T. Manogue uses the  butterfly as a metaphor of life to stimulate creative thinking, to  stretch the imagination, to prod curiosity, and to challenge the reader  to pursue the adventure of self-discovery; to realize and appreciate the  magical beauty and mystery of change that brings one into harmony and  inner peace with the true self.

The story traces  three generations of a family to illustrate how an individual caught up  in the mental cage of fear from an environment of painful situations,  malice and vindictiveness can find resolution and be transformed to  experience freedom by adapting a new point of view through a life  metamorphosis.

Manogue alerts the reader of the  importance of recognizing the troubling signs of mental issues, and  manic outbursts manifest by adolescents and teenagers, brought on by  parental abuse, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, and the impact of  well-meaning judgmental religionists preaching a gospel of guilt and  fear. He introduces the concept of how our perceptions impact and  determine the meaning and purpose of our lives. Manogue’s writing is  haunting, instructive, and inspiring. I appreciated the dozens of quotes  from highly respected and recognized authors, philosophers, and world  leaders that challenged the reader to move beyond their perceived  limitations and to see the diversity and potential around them.

In “The Butterfly Ball”,  H. T. Manogue encompasses the metamorphic cycle and artistically  creates word pictures of the butterfly side of being human and the human  side of being a butterfly and creates a masterpiece of poetic prose  around the theme of facing the realities of life and the consequences of  life choices.

Am I a person dreaming that I'm a butterfly or a butterfly dreaming  I'm a person? Our consciousness is part of the stream of consciousness  that runs through all like. Butterflies are here to help you recognize  that stream and the power you have to communicate with other life forms  in that stream. All you need to do is believe you can.

This is the theme that runs through The Butterfly Ball,  illustrated through three generations of a family of true survivors.  Protagonist Doris Baker Hartley's transformation from a world of cruelty  to true freedom challenges the reader to examine events through a  different point of view as we go through our own metamorphosis on our  life's journey.

The Butterfly Ball is a story of transformation, and Hal  Manogue masterfully weaves events that bring about resolution to painful  situations in one way or another. He shows the importance of our  perception and how by the way we look at things we create our heaven or  hell right here and now. This story does not sugar-coat life. It is  filled with many of the dilemmas that are faced and shows how the way we  handle them can support us in building meaningful lives or condemn us  to a life lived in fear.

Manogue is a fabulous poet  and has incorporated his poetic medium in descriptions that are  memorable and instructive. His insights into life and the complexity  each of us face are noteworthy. Most importantly, he shows in this work  how in the end we are able to move beyond our own limitations and come  into a dance with life a s the butterflies do. The Butterfly Ball is a  book that will change our view of events and give new understanding of  the metaphorical meaning butterflies reflect, opening our eyes to seeing  the clues that give our lives meaning. By opening to appreciation for  the diversity of others as well as ourselves, we create an experience  that makes life a wonderful and worthwhile journey.

I highly recommend this book on many levels!