It’s 1885, and all Nora Shipley wants, now that she’s graduating from Cornell University as valedictorian of the entomology program, is to follow in her late father’s footsteps by getting her master’s degree and taking over the scientific journal he started. The only way to uphold her father’s legacy is to win a scholarship, so she joins a research expedition in Kodaikanal, India, to prove … herself in the field.
India isn’t what she expects, though, and neither is the rival classmate who accompanies her, Owen Epps. As her preconceptions of India–and of Owen–fall away, she finds both far more captivating than she expected. Forced by the expedition leader to stay at camp and illustrate exotic butterflies the men of the team find without her, Nora befriends Sita, a young Indian girl who has been dedicated to a goddess against her will.
In this spellbinding new land, Nora is soon faced with impossible choices–between saving Sita and saving her career, and between what she’s always thought she wanted and the man she’s come to love.
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I was very impressed with this beautifully written debut novel by Kimberly Duffy. Set in both Ithaca, New York and India in 1885, and populated by colorful, realistically-flawed characters, Duffy brought the sights and sounds of both places to my imagination and let me travel to places I’d never been before. The exquisite prose and rich historical detail allowed me to visualize the story as it progressed. While I may never find the study of insects fascinating, I enjoyed learning a little more about the various species of bugs and butterflies.
The hero of the story, Owen Epps, was easily likeable with his concern and care for Nora Shipley. I admired Nora for her tenacity and drive, although she sometimes frustrated me for the very same reasons. I enjoyed seeing their friendship grow and develop amid their adventures in India. Duffy’s obvious knowledge and affinity for the country of India and its customs added to my enjoyment of the story.
A Mosaic of Wings is a well-crafted, captivating tale, and I’m looking forward to reading more from this talented author. 4.5 stars
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishing. All opinions are my own.
A Mosaic of Wings by Kimberly Duffy centers around Nora Shipley, a female entomologist in a male-dominated field. But studying insects isn’t her only dream. She also wants to take over her late father’s journal and get her master’s degree. After striking a deal with her stepfather, she goes on a research trip to India in hopes of earning a scholarship and proving herself.
This novel surprised me. Not that I thought it would be terrible. I just didn’t expect it to be so good. A riveting tale from beginning to end, this novel proves to be an exciting adventure you don’t want to miss out on.
I’m not a fan of bugs. Let me go ahead and say that. But Duffy brings you into Nora’s mind so well that when Nora becomes enthralled with an insect, you feel her excitement. And while there is a lot of scientific names and jargon, Duffy explains to the readers what the terms mean without launching into long explanations. Instead, she provides a translation that flows naturally through the course of the characters’ conversations.
And Duffy uses rich descriptions to immerse you in whichever setting she places her characters in, whether it’s a laboratory at Cornell University or a campsite in rural India. I’ve never read a book set in India before, but she did a great job of helping my imagination picture what life in India was like.
With a great cast of characters, Duffy has crafted a compelling story that will keep you turning pages. And the romantic thread isn’t bad, either. I loved seeing Nora’s relationship with Owen Epps develop throughout the book. I would be remiss, however, if I didn’t mention Nora’s relationship with other characters. A certain young Indian girl serves as the forefront of a very important subplot.
And I loved the way Duffy handled the conflict of cultures and religions. I don’t know much about Hinduism, but she sprinkles enough information to help me better understand Sita’s plight. And the consequences that follow Nora’s decision were realistic and thought-provoking. Because sometimes doing the right thing causes a ripple effect we can’t ignore or anticipate. We have to make our decision and stick to it.
Overall, A Mosaic of Wings is a fantastic novel that grabs your attention.
(Note: I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.)
A Mosaic of Wings is a story of growth, selfless love, and romance. I was enraptured, like Nora, with the beauty and colors of India encountered in these pages. Her journey is one of discovering purpose, a sweet friendship-to-romance, and the joy of life.
The romance was a subtle thread at first, taking a back seat to Nora’s education and subsequent events that led her to choosing to participate in an expedition in India. It was delightful to see it grow from a deepening friendship to something more in a natural and lovely way. Owen champions Nora, selflessly, and she learns more about herself from his encouragement and confidence.
The portions of the novel that take place in India are my favorite. Kimberly Duffy impressively conveys its colors and cultures, spicy food, challenging terrain, and social customs vastly different from Nora’s norm. This environment and the new people she meets challenge Nora. They cause her to reconsider her purpose and ability to make a difference in someone else’s life, even if that means making difficult choices.
Nora begins the story with some impulsive tendencies. It’s nice to see her grow throughout the course of her travels. Toward the latter part of the story, however, she makes a series of choices which I thought undo part of her newfound maturity and go against my expectations of her character. She does learn from this, and all is righted eventually, but I would have liked to see her understanding and treatment of people reflect the growth she had already surmounted.
I am looking forward to Kimberly’s next historical novel, wherever it might take me!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.
I found this to be an impressive novel that has an unusual heroine, so to me it was like a breath of fresh air in the Historical Fiction genre. I can’t believe I was reading about bugs in India and actually enjoying it but the author draws you in and before you know it you are immersed in the characters , culture, foods, and setting. Sita was a surprise to me and I was sucked into feeling empathy for her plight therefore I pray I would be brave enough to make the decisions that Nora was faced with. I found this book to be the complete package and I look forward to reading more by Ms. Duffy.
I won a copy of this book. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
Look out world, Kimberly Duffy is making her mark. What a beautifully penned debut novel! It completely took my breath away, and made me so fascinated with the world of bugs. Trust me when I say this is huge lol. But seriously, Duffy is someone to watch for, and I have already added her to my “must read” author list. Not only does she write incredible characters, but she writes settings that just jump off the pages to me. I felt like I was in India right alongside Nora and Owen. Experiencing the weather, the insects, the excitement.
Nora is not your average heroine in so many ways, but I really found myself enjoying her character. First of all, she likes bugs. Bugs! I know that may seem okay to some, but bugs just aren’t my thing you know? But Nora? Well, she kind of makes me want to learn just a little bit about them. But what really drew me to her character was her passion. First, she had passion for her family. I can easily connect with that, and understood her desire to put her family first. But then she had passion for her job, her learning. It didn’t matter to her that she was a woman in a “man’s” world. She just wanted to learn as much as she could to be able to contribute to the world. I found this to be so refreshing.
Duffy’s personalized experience with India really showed in her ability to stay true to the culture, the food, the experience. Again, I felt like I was IN India! And for the record, I didn’t want to leave. Although there is some friendship to romance here, I really feel that the location and the growth of Nora’s character are what ultimately kept me turning the pages. I think historical fiction readers will enjoy Duffy’s debut novel.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A Mosaic of Wings is a completely captivating novel! This book had so much beauty. There’s beauty in the words, beauty in the setting, the characters. Everything is filled with beauty. Blended within the beauty, though, is sadness, inequality, assumptions and pain.
There’s also hope. A lot of hope. And a lovely, lovely romance – one to root for!
I enjoyed every single beautiful word of this beautifully written story. I am so glad I read this book! It’s such a delight!
Five Beautiful Stars! Do not miss this book! Kimberly Duffy is one to watch, and I can’t wait to see what adventure she takes us on next!
A Mosaic of Wings is available now! Visit http://www.christianbook.com or http://www.bakerbookhouse.com to purchase your copy!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. A positive review was not required. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
A Mosaic of Wings by Kimberly Duffy hosts an eye-catching cover worthy of the beautiful story inside. I’ll start off with a quote from page 289 in which Nora remembers her time in India: “India, and everything that happened there, spoke to her in whispers that caressed her memories, wrapping everything in exotic perfume and sultry, cicada-song nights.” India’s effect on Nora echoes the novel’s effect on me. It’s a story with characters, settings, and themes that lingered in my mind for days after I finished the last page.
In reading A Mosaic of Wings, I connected immediately with Nora because I could relate to the issues she faced with her step-father and gender discrimination in her career field. The novel tackles these difficult issues (plus others) with finesse. These challenges supplied deeply satisfying character development without stagnating or feeling too heavy. Rather, the plot moved at a perfect pace and entertained with vivid descriptions of India and an enchanting, slow-burn romance. I loved that Owen and Nora’s relationship grew out a solid foundation of mutual respect and admiration which led into the beautiful blossoming of romantic interest.
I recommend A Mosaic of Wings by Kimberly Duffy to fans of inspirational historical fiction. This amazing debut novel stands as one of the best books I’ve read in 2020. Five stars!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
A Mosaic of Wings by Kimberly Duffy is an enchanting journey that’s as lovely as the title suggests, but in the midst of that journey is a mosaic of beautiful truths and lessons that are just waiting for readers to notice their shimmering details.
A Mosaic of Wings is one of those stories where I didn’t realize how invested I’d become in the characters and their stories until I reached the final page. And as I reflect on each colorful piece of this journey, I think the only words that truly exemplify how I feel are too simple. However, I’ll say it anyways — READ THIS!
The setting and the era are — simply put — stunning! From New York to India in 1885, from the halls of Cornell University to hidden waterfalls, to all the fascinating (and sometimes gross) parts of entomology, A Mosaic of Wings’ fictional expedition will capture her readers from the start. Furthermore, the author crafted characters with such depth, successfully evoking feelings of empathy for even the dislikable, villainous characters. Wonderfully done!
The story is told from Nora’s point of view, and I loved her character! Nora was everything I expected to find in a strong woman making a career in a field that was largely thought to belong to men in that era. Additionally, I loved that she had to confront some of her biases and soften the hard parts in her heart that had formed as a result of unfairly having to prove herself as a woman. However, the most profound part of Nora’s journey was internal, a journey that took her into the heart of sacrificial love. As she explored each facet of sacrificial love, Nora came to see the little details she’d previously missed, the little yet powerful details that make up the great mosaic that is love.
Five Stars ~ A Mosaic of Wings by Kimberly Duffy is a stunning debut! A Mosaic of Wings is a standalone, but I look forward to reading whatever the author pens next!
Possible Triggers ~ Death of a loved one, suicide, child prostitution.
Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.
Kimberly Duffy’s debut novel takes readers on an exotic tour of the India of 1885. Meticulously researched and described in vivid detail, this story is sure to thrill fans of history and travel.
While the main focus of the novel is entomologist Nora Shipley and her journey of romance and self-discovery, Duffy interweaves a fascinating subplot of highly-drawn characters in an Indian girl named Sita, her aunt, and a woman dealing with heartbreaking loss.
Duffy shines most in these nuanced characters and their moving tale that reveal Duffy’s skill in crafting dramatic and poetic prose, as well as her ability to surprise and deeply touch her readers through powerful storytelling. In the fight to save Sita and Nora’s unshakable stance against evil, the most meaningful theme of living for Christ, regardless of consequences, also emerges.
I also especially enjoyed that this book, though a romance, was written from a single point of view (of the heroine). The single POV allowed for a much deeper character exploration than most dual POV romances can achieve.
I look forward to future novels by Kimberly Duffy!
Against the Grain!
Nora is the valedictorian of her college class, and wants to be a scientist, just the way her dad raised her. Unfortunately, it is 1885, and the world believes women should strive to be wives and mothers only. Her father has been replaced by a step-father who wholeheartedly agrees with that sentiment and fights Nora every step of the way.
In an attempt to win a scholarship, she goes to India. Unfortunately, Frederic, the man in charge also thinks women are useless. He hardly lets her participate in what she came to do, and she inadvertently causes horrible trouble for Frederic multiple times.
But India also gives Nora the chance to see schoolmate Owen differently, revel in the beauty of a foreign land, and change a little girl’s life—at a great cost to her.
I sympathized with Nora about her stepfather’s dishonesty, but I never did like her study of bugs and it took me a while to warm up to her. Owen is a gem with his character and reliance on God. India and the story will charm and captivate you. I recommend this 4-star book to those who like tales in exotic or historical settings with a bit of romance.
Bethany House Publishing has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of, A Mosaic of Wings, for the purpose of review.
Ever since seeing this cover and knowing it was by a new author, I have been looking forward to reading this story. This was such a lush, atmospheric read that drew me into the story and into Nora’s life as a young woman trying to make her way in science. Specifically entomology, the study of insects. Now usually a read like that might give me the creeps, but no, this one drew me into the climate of not just India but also Nora’s hometown of Ithaca, New York.
Now this story is divided into three parts. Each part in the different locations. I will say that at first the story seemed a little bit slow for me. I think I just had a hard time connecting with Nora, she seemed too smart for her own good and maybe a little standoffish. Especially with fellow classmate Owen Epps. The constant friction between her and her stepfather was also wearing me thin- but that just shows you how invested I was getting into the story. And then there was a certain climatic showdown that happened in the first part that caught my attention fully and would not let me go.
By the end, I came to know Nora and like her. She had quite a way to grow and when she let a certain someone begin to love her- well lets just say it was a very romantic story. Though the romance was only part of this tale.
I very much look forward to more great reads from author Duffy, she is an author to put on your reading list.
I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts below are my own.
If you’re looking for a beautiful summer read, this is the perfect novel for those of you who enjoy faith-based historical fiction. Kimberly Duffy delights readers with the science and heart behind her masterful new story A Mosaic of Wings.
I truly enjoyed this sweet, tender and unique story with a strong, capable, if not a little impetuous, heroine…Reading through the story and firsthand witnessing Nora’s coming into her own is rich and rewarding as she moves through the grief in her heart, the struggle to find and assert her place in the world, prove herself in a predominantly male society and blossom into a woman who puts someone else’s needs above her own. Nora discovers a deep fulfillment from her faith after following her heart to advocate for a young girl who captures her attention. In time, she discovers the blessings the Lord has in store for her because of her decision to stay the course and do the right thing against all odds. God uses the people in her life to teach her valuable and life altering lessons as her heart grows, strengthens, and falls in love for the first time…
A Mosaic of Wings is well written, educational and uplifting with a subtle underscore of women’s empowerment and the battle of society’s expectations during that era. The story moves at a gentle flow and draws readers in with delightful characters, a dreamlike setting and heartfelt story. The romance that blossoms between Nora and Owen is oh-so-sweet as it grows, bending and breaking just the right amount. Owen’s charming, patient and supportive character is the perfect compliment to Nora’s impulsive, strong-willed and often passionate nature. The setting is vibrant and rich in culture, painting a thorough picture of life in 1880’s India. The ending is deeply satisfying and I feel certain it is a story to fill your heart and soul. This novel will be well enjoyed by Christian historical fiction lovers and is appropriate for readers 15+.
I admit that I love historical fiction and A Mosaic of Wings certainly didn’t disappoint me! I know very little about entomology and author Kimberly Duffy’s detailed research taught me so much about the study of insects. I also enjoyed the diverse characters that she created and developed. Nora Shipley is intelligent, outspoken, and determined to keep her father’s legacy alive. Her loyalty to her late father’s memory and her dislike for her step-father is understandable and they certainly influence her thoughts about romance and marriage. I really liked her classmate Owen Epps and I admired his kindness and the depth of his feelings for Nora. There were many times that I wanted to shake her for not seeing just how special he was! The young Indian girl Sita touched me with her dilemma of being forced to “serve men” after she has become a Christian and I would love to see Duffy devote a book to Sita’s story. And then, there are Duffy’s lyrical words that caused me to think and ponder.
“The more you’re exposed to a thing, the more you accept it. And because of that, we sometimes miss the little details that could reveal something bigger than our expectations allow. But when you realize what you’ve found, you know everything has changed.” (p. 341)
This is a beautiful debut novel, from the stunning cover to the wonderful story inside, and Duffy completely transported me to New York and India as they might have been in 1855. I certainly recommend A Mosaic of Wings to anyone who enjoys historical Christian romance.
I received a copy of this book from the author and Bethany House with no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.
This is a hard book for me to review because it was beautifully written, and I loved the storyline. However, I found Nora to be extremely brash, and while she changes a little in the book, I still had a very hard time with the brashness. There are moments when she realizes her actions effect other people, but she still pushes on with no compromise (and at some points in the story that is a really good thing) or any thought to others. So while I sympathized with her and her goals, I just struggled with how she got there. It seemed like Own was the one that was always giving, and in the end he gives up everything for her and she gets it all. That doesn’t seem like a very healthy relationship.
But the setting was beautiful! Both in Ithaca, New York and in India. It makes we want to visit both places. Oh but the bugs…the bugs! I’m not a bug person, they freak me out, and it made me smile that the author doesn’t like them either, but wrote this for her daughter that wants to be an entomologist. Can you just picture her researching bugs while half covering her eyes at the things she’s finding? I think that’s really sweet.
So how do you review a novel that the main character isn’t your favorite, but the rest of the book is awesome and well written? I don’t know. I’ll leave that up to you guys, because maybe her brashness won’t bother you at all. If you read it, leave a comment and let me know what you think.
*I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.
Full of adventure, romance, humor, nature, Indian culture, and twists, Author, Kimberly Duffy made this novel impossible to put down!
I love the fiery spunk in Nora and the courage she had in helping a girl promised to temple prostitution. A moving story all the way around that made me cry several times. Although this is a must read for any historical romance lover, I believe this page turner can be enjoyed by anyone. With vivid descriptions and keen details that draw you in, I can’t say enough about this book. I love, LOVE it!!! I give it 5 stars!
4.5 stars
“Bees are interesting creatures. . . . . Bumblebees will travel miles from their hives in order to do what they need to do. They don’t stay close to home.”
Her father’s tender words trickle through her memory, meaning . . . . . what, exactly? Do they mean that entomologist Nora Shipley should be forced to marry a man whom she hardly knows and who would certainly never indulge her love of scientific discovery? Or do they mean pursuing a coveted scholarship, thus providing a way to further pursue her education, so that her now deceased father’s beloved scientific journal can escape ruin? Perhaps those words mean that Nora must gather the necessary courage to travel half-way around the world to the land of India, accompanied by another student of entomology, whose future is also dependent on the coveted Cornell scholarship. Owen Epps; could there be more to her university nemesis than meets the eye?
Layers; so many layers wrap themselves around this enchanting story that it becomes nearly impossible to unravel one, without dismantling all the others. Like the beautiful sari that Nora indulgently experiences for a brief moment, once unbound, this story exposes an authentic core that everyone longs for . . .unconditional love. Nora had it, Nora lost it. Nora gave it, Nora gained it . . . . for after all, according to Owen, “I think you just need someone to keep you from falling out of trees”.
What a courageous premiere into the world of historical fiction!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
I discovered A Mosaic of Wings quite by accident and am thoroughly pleased that I did. I was prepared to be whisked away to a strange and foreign land and Kimberly Duffy did not disappoint. As a lover of history, I was extremely impressed with the breadth of the research Duffy must have undertook to bring the sights and smells of 1880s India to life. The author wrote with such rich details I felt I could see the exotic colors, feel the oppressive heat and humidity, and taste the spicy foods and drinks. The people and culture came alive as well through this richly told story as we learned about the place of women in both Indian and British/American societies, the British influence in India, and the stark difference between Christianity and some forms of Indian temple worship. Duffy also gave us a glimpse into late 19th century scientific field work as the entomology team in India hunted for, captured, and illustrated so many unusual bugs and butterflies.
One thing I especially liked was the heroine, Nora Shipley. She was as unique as she was flawed and that spoke to me. How unlikely is it that a woman is into bugs, even today? But Nora loves the study of all manner of bugs and butterflies because it holds a precious connection to her father who passed when she was a child. She is intelligent, hard-working, and determined to make a significant contribution to the field of entomology.
That brings me to her weaknesses. So often in Christian fiction, the flaws authors give their main characters are not really flaws at all. But Nora, God bless her, was stubborn and a bit self-centered. Oftentimes it seemed, she cared little about the cost her actions had on others and I wanted to wring her neck. But when Nora is befriended by an Indian child, Sita, and she learns Sita is to be dedicated to a God who requires her to prostitute herself when men worship in the temple, Nora doesn’t hesitate to intervene – even though intervention may cost her everything she’s been working for. This is when Nora realizes “God had made her that way [stubborn] for a reason,” and she takes action. May we all be so bold to obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit without calculating the costs. By the end of the story, Nora realizes the impact one person’s actions have upon those around them and that relationships are a more important legacy than her position in the scientific community.
And for romance fans, A Mosaic of Wings, offers a delightfully sweet romance as well. Owen Eps is a totally a swoon-worthy hero who had to work a bit harder than most heroes to get his woman which only captured this romantic’s heart even more. He accepts Nora, flaws and all, and cheers her toward her academic and scientific goals and is a real example of “unconditional love,” something Nora hasn’t known since her father’s passing.
This is a solid debut for Duffy who weaves words beautifully. A Mosaic of Wings definitely takes flight!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to leave a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
A Mosaic of Wings ~ Book Review
Author Kimberly Duffy gets an A with her debut novel, A Mosaic of Wings!
Her book is an exciting read, with vivid descriptions of the sights and ambience of India.
This isn’t a light, silly book, it’s a story of deep emotions, well formed characters, written with intelligent insight. I look forward to Mrs. Duffy’s next dozen novels.
About the story: Nora Shipley is a student at Cornell University, studying to get her bachelor’s degree in Entymology. Nora Shipley’s character is based on the real person Anna Comstock. Now, Nora doesn’t get along with her step-father, and after a huge incident between her stepfather and herself ,she packs her bags and takes up her college professor’s offer to study abroad in India. In India, she experiences prejudice because she is a female, and suspicions about her abilities to be a scientist. After being there a few weeks, she is invited to a dinner. At the dinner, she tells Mission board director that he has failed in rescuing a young Christian girl, Sita.
Nora has become involved in Sita’s plight, and vows to help her any way she can.
Owen Epps is the romantic interest, and another scientist, but Nora feels that she can’t allow herself to become involved with him because her career and independence are very important to her. I liked how she kept her distance from him. It allowed her to become firmly established in the story for her own merits.
I was able to relate to Nora because she’s blunt, honest, and probably introverted. Quick-witted, astute.
This book was well written, it was clear and fluid, and at times riveting. Once I picked it up, I did not want to put it down. Some well-done drama in parts of the story. It was a book I looked forward to reading.
I was drawn in quickly, and got completely absorbed in the story at times.
What I didn’t like was, God and Jesus were mentioned a few times, but a strong Christian message was not central to the theme. The romance part was a bit repetitive, and predictable.
The characters were excellent and I found them easy enough to relate to. Their connection and the way they interacted with each other was sometimes funny, sometimes deep. I found that a great relief. I’m so weary of Christian romance and Christian historical fiction written for a person with a 5th grade education. This book didn’t fall short at all in delivering a good, solid story and a myriad of fascinating details about the people , India, America, travel, and entomology. It would be rewarding and satisfying to be a research scientist. This book lets you get a glimpse of what that’s like.
You can learn more about Anna Comstock, the person this story revolved around, by searching for Anna Comstock on Startpage or DuckDuckGo.
Recommendation: I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys clean, intelligently written Christian historical fiction. Her knowledge of India, and her obvious connection to it, made the book a worthwhile and powerful story.
Junonia Orithya~ this will mean something special to you, when you read A Mosaic of Wings.
And, as always, YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN: [16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
[17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.Jesus on the cross
[18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
[19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
[20] For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
[21] But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Nora Shipley is a woman ahead of her time, and a unique heroine. She doesn’t want to marry the man her stepfather has chosen for her (and no surprise there. He’s a misogynistic boor). She wants to go back to university and complete her master’s in entomology (yes, the study of insects). First she’ll need to win a scholarship … which means spending six months in India.
While I like butterflies and understand the importance of honeybees, I’m not a fan of other insects. And I definitely share Nora’s feelings about cockroaches. What captured my interest in A Mosaic of Wings was the Indian setting, and this was definitely the strength of the novel for me. These chapters showed the beauty of India, and something of the culture—both good and bad.
I enjoyed seeing Nora develop as a character and make some difficult choices. The novel wasn’t overtly Christian, but Nora’s responses to her most difficult choices were definitely based on a Christian world view—even when those choices contradicted the decisions made by some of the Christians she met.
I didn’t enjoy the US-based scenes nearly as much. That was mostly because of stepfather Lucius, although partly because of Nora’s mother. She was a frustratingly weak character who seemed to spend her time either ill in bed, or arranging social events her daughter wanted no part of. She was such a vapid character that I sincerely wondered if she was being drugged by Lucius (she wasn’t, but that would have been the most logical explanation for much of her behaviour).
Lucius is plainly set up as the antagonist and has no redeeming features except for loving Nora’s mother. Well, he says he does. He certainly doesn’t act as though he does. Mind you, the same could be said of Nora’s mother’s attitude towards Nora. As a result, while Nora’s difficulties with Lucius drove most of the novel’s conflict, I didn’t find it entirely believable. Lucius tries to force Nora to do something, saying she gave her word. Fine. She did, and she is a woman who seeks to keep her word. But I don’t think she needs to keep her word when he has so plainly not kept his.
Overall, this is a novel about choices and freedom. Some people have more choices than others. It’s also about how sometimes we have to make a choice that might not be the easiest choice for ourselves, but is the right choice for others.
Thanks to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
P.S. If you read or have read A Mosaic of Wings and you’re as horrified by Sita’s predicament as Nora is, then I encourage you to check out the Dignity Freedom Network and their work rescuing jogini girls in India. Yes, this practice is still going on despite having been outlawed in 1988.
A Mosaic of Wings is a stunning debut for Author Kimberly Duffy. She takes us into the fascinating world of exotic insects and the beginnings of women making their mark into the scientific world of men. Her descriptive words put you right into a small village in India with its vivid sights and smells. “The trees shaded them, casting shadows over the packed dirt and blanketing everything in a hush that whispered ancient stories. Overripe fruit scented the air with spicy incense, and Nora clasped her hands in her lap, compelled to prayer.”
She paints a realistic picture of a young woman seeking equality and pursuing her dream. In 1885 Ithaca, New York, Nora Shipley is one of a few women to graduate from Cornell University. Her deceased professor father helped instill in her a love of entomology. She wants to carry on his legacy and obtain her Masters Degree but needs to compete for a scholarship. Owen Epps could be a rival or an ally.
Owen is a complex character who grows on you as the author reveals, layer by layer, his motivations and his growth as he realizes what he actually wants from life.
Things get more complicated when they join a research team in India. Known for speaking her mind, Nora will need to navigate a fine line when her Christian morals bid her to act on behalf of one who is trapped in the pagan practices of a foreign land. “India, and everything that happened there, spoke to her in whispers that caressed her memories, wrapping everything in the exotic perfume and sultry, cicada-song nights.”
Ms. Duffy weaves a complex story into a beautiful tapestry and shows us that God can turn the impossible into the possible. This is an author to keep an eye on.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*