The Dragon and the Butteryfly by Abby Simpson is a historical fiction narrative focused around the life and rise of Queen Maud of England alongside her famous husband William the Conqueror. Simpson writes Maud portrayed in beautiful prose, painting the picture of a woman history forgot, but who deserves to be remembered.
Simpson works with a relatively small cast of POV characters, focusing around a 3rd person depiction of Maud herself who frequently tells the story herself through her mental notes about lineages, her conversations with siblings and cousins, and her observations of her world as it changes before her eyes. I found Maud’s perspective easy to read from. I related to her as a child headstrong and unwilling to bend to the rules of society, but ever curious and kind as well. Overall, Maud’s character, in all stages of life, was beautifully depicted. I felt like I was sitting with a friend, growing to know Maud through every story of her life, and by the end, it was as if I’d known her a lifetime.
As well as her delicately crafted characters, Simpson gave equal care to her setting, and the immersion in the historical factors. Though I know there are many creative liberties taken, some noted at the end of the book, overall the story did not stray so far from what could be expected and or true to that time. There were a few littered instances where words did draw my focus from the story, just to question if they fit within the historical narrative, but nothing enough to truly jar me from being immersed. I also appreciated greatly the in depth research that appeared to be done to understand the connections between families, family trees, the intricate understanding of politics, all of it wove the story together into a strong captivating narrative.
And now I must note one of my favorite things about the book, which personally was the sections. I adore a well formatted book, and while it did not feel like fifty chapters when I was reading, the sections really helped delineate the era’s of Maud’s life. I felt like they aided the narrative, and I would like to praise the author and editors highly for this formatting decision. It’s a personal note only, but it deserved mentioning.
Overall, I want to praise Simpson for accomplishing a task that I myself find dauting. She had written an inspiring story about a woman few likely know about. She has researched and chosen her creative liberties wisely to craft a near Game of Thrones esque world of manipulators and those willing to do anything for a crown. This includes the protagonist and her husband as well, yet despite their flaws, Simpson displays their human nature and they remain loveable to the end. There is loss and love, war and family, king and queens, and of course, a dragon and our beloved butterfly. I would go out of my way to recommend this to any avid historical fiction reader, as well as any general reader who enjoys a life narrative that brings about such deep emotions. Simpson has truly pulled off a feat of fiction in my eyes, and I commend her highly for it.
You can pre-order or purchase The Dragon and the Butterfly through Lost Boys Press.