Black Butterflies is a remarkable novel by Pricilla Morris, narrating Sarajevo City's destruction. Sarajevo was once a vibrant city that embraced diversity. People from all over the world lived in Sarajevo and in harmony with the locals. The novel's protagonist is Zora Kočović, a teacher of fine arts at the University of Sarajevo. Zora lives with her husband, Franjo, and her 83-year-old mother at their flat in the city. Zora has lived in Sarajevo for decades and has come to love it wholeheartedly. Zora does not believe that one day she will become a refugee in the city she loves and adores.
The novel opens with the news of possible unrest in Sarajevo. At first, Zora dismisses the news because she does not envision conflict in a city where people have lived harmoniously for decades. As tension intensifies, people move out of the city to safer countries. Zora sends her husband and mother to England for safety. However, Zora decides to remain behind to monitor the situation as she does her painting and her teaching job.
A few days after Zora sends her family to England, she faces a few obstacles. However, she enjoys her solicitude and uses that opportunity to do her painting in her studio, hoping things will get better soon. Unfortunately, the conflict in Sarajevo turns into a full-blown war. Zora finds herself confined in her flat because she cannot move around. Universities and other learning institutions are shut down, and everyone is advised to remain indoors. Things begin to get worse when Zora’s apartment is destroyed in the endless shelling in the city. Basic commodities such as food and water start becoming scarce due to the interruption in the supply chain. Communication and electricity are cut off, and Zora can no longer contact her family in England.
The novel ends when people in Zora’s apartment come together to console each other on the way forward. Most of the people in the apartment have lost loved ones and property. At last, Zora finds herself in a refugee camp. After losing everything dear to them, Zora and her friends in the camp begin to look for new ways to rebuild their lives.
