Butterflies in Bronzeville - Paperback

by Sonya Lavette Bell (Author)

The city of Chicago is known for many things, both good and bad, but it is also a city of neighborhoods. Set on the city's south side, A community equal to Harlem, New York in African American pride and culture, is the setting of this story. Bronzeville. It was a magical place--a true source of pride for the African American community. It was a cool, hip, beautiful place where being Black and proud was normal. Important people lived there, like civil rights leader Ida B. Wells, aviator Bessie Coleman, trumpeter and jazz great Louis Armstrong, poet Gwendolyn Brooks, novelist Richard Wright, playwright, Lorraine Hansberry, the late Ebony founder and publisher, John H. Johnson, to name a few, and blues greats Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon and Buddy Guy. There were doctors, lawyers, politicians, athletes, academics, and other notables who called Bronzeville home. Bronzeville was the center of Black Metropolis in Chicago. It was a place where you could get a shoe shine and then go next door for a doctor's appointment. Hard working middle class Black folks rubbed shoulders with the cr me de la cr me of the Black Elite. Butterflies in Bronzeville is a "feel good" story about true love and lifelong friendship. It's the first book of a planned sequel. Gwynette Burgess, and Gwynette's best friend, Bonita "Bunny" Thompson are the butterflies in this tale; each transforming everyone they encounter. A serendipitous trip, while boarding the "L" subway train, literally has Gwynette fall into the arms of the man who will impact her life forever. It's kismet. They are instantly attracted to one another. The adventure begins after that. Gwynette and Bunny's friendship inspires, captivates, provokes, and warms the heart. They are true BFF's and hilarious together--constant drama and humor. Their bond is tested after an unexpected tragedy occurs on Bunny's birthday. Fred and Gwynette are brought together by unpredictable circumstances and a series of chance meetings. Through a succession of fascinating events impacting the other, combined with a series of twists and turns; their lives intertwine with other connecting stories, and exciting characters over a generation, highlighting love, hate, joy, sadness, the challenges of class, social prejudice, as well as the unexpected. Butterflies is an entertaining coming of age tale, highlighting the joy of family, community, and friendship. it takes the reader on a fascinating journey through Black culture, and its people trying to define themselves through the ups and downs life challenges them with, yet through them, they emerge strong, bold and transformed, like the butterfly.

Author Biography

Born In Augusta, Georgia, and raised in Chicago, Illinois; this is the author's second novel, who is also a poet, blogger, and has contributed essays, and commentary on various social media sites.