37 pages 1 hour read

Giacomo Puccini

Madame Butterfly

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1904

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Madame Butterfly follows the story of a young Japanese woman, Butterfly, who marries Lieutenant Pinkerton, a U.S. Navy officer, believing in their love despite cultural differences and his intentions of a temporary union. After Pinkerton leaves, Butterfly remains faithful, awaiting his return, unaware of his new marriage, leading to devastating consequences. Sensitive topics include self-harm and the marriage of a minor to an adult.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Madame Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini, an opera cherished for its emotional depth and beautiful compositions, evokes admiration for its sumptuous orchestration and poignant arias. However, some critics highlight issues with its cultural portrayal and Orientalist elements, advising a more nuanced engagement. Overall, it remains a beloved, though complex, masterpiece in operatic history.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Madame Butterfly?

Readers who appreciate Madame Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini likely enjoy dramatic and emotional operatic narratives with rich cultural settings. They may also enjoy works like Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden and Miss Saigon by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, which share themes of love, sacrifice, and East-West cultural interactions.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

Music

Genre

Play: Drama

Italian Literature

Romance

Themes

Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal

Emotions/Behavior: Love

Society: Colonialism