37 pages • 1 hour read
Madame Butterfly
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Book Brief
126
Play • Fiction
Nagasaki • 1900s
1904
Adult
18+ years
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.
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Romantic
Reviews & Readership
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 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.
Pinkerton
Pinkerton
A US Navy lieutenant and the male lead of the opera, he is characterized by his handsome appearance and financial success, with his international travels and eventual return to America shaping his interactions with Butterfly.
Sharpless
Sharpless
The US Consul in Nagasaki, Sharpless is portrayed as serious and emotional, serving as a voice of reason and compassion amidst the unfolding drama between Butterfly and Pinkerton.
Suzuki
Suzuki
Butterfly’s devoted servant, Suzuki is supportive and practical, sharing a deep bond with Butterfly while maintaining her own religious beliefs.
Goro
Goro
A marriage broker in the opera who facilitates Butterfly’s marriage to Pinkerton, Goro often uses gestures to communicate and is looked upon unfavorably by the women in the story.
Yamadori
Yamadori
Prince Yamadori is a wealthy divorcee who briefly appears to propose marriage to Butterfly despite her current marital status.
Kate
Kate
The American wife of Pinkerton, she appears briefly in the narrative and discusses plans to raise Butterfly’s child.
The Bonze
The Bonze
Butterfly’s uncle and a figure of authority, the Bonze arrives at the wedding to condemn Butterfly for her abandonment of her family’s religion.
126
Play • Fiction
Nagasaki • 1900s
1904
Adult
18+ years
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