Black Butterflies By Priscilla Morris

In many ways it's a universal story of domestic family life upended and fractured by inconceivable events which seem, even now, both far away and close at hand. The story begins in the spring of 1992 in the city of Sarajevo, as political tensions mount and barricades begin to appear in the streets.

Fifty-five year old Zora is married to Franjo, who is fifteen years older than her. Their daughter lives with her English husband and young child in Wiltshire. Zora's vocation is her work as an artist and notably a painter of landscapes and the bridges that span the river of her beloved Sarajevo. She also teaches art students, but in the afternoons retreats to her studio high in the eaves of the city's magnificent public library to work on her canvases.

Priscilla Morris is of Yugoslav and Cornish parentage, she grew up in London and spent her summers in Sarajevo. This is her first novel.

Location audio recordings: the street sounds of Sarajevo recorded by Rafael Diogo and featured on https://citiesandmemory.com/sarajevo-city-guide-best-sounds/

Read by Fenella Woolgar

Early spring in Sarajevo, 1992. The city is unsettled and fractures are appearing.

A universal story of domestic family life upended and fractured by inconceivable events.

Early in 1992 as signs of spring and melting snow appear in Sarajevo, the atmosphere becomes increasingly tense. Zora and her husband Franjo have to make some tough decisions.

In many ways it's a universal story of domestic family life upended and fractured by inconceivable events which seem, even now, both far away and close at hand. The story begins in the spring of 1992 in the city of Sarajevo, as political tensions mount and barricades begin to appear in the streets.

Fifty-five year old Zora is married to Franjo, who is fifteen years older than her. Their daughter lives with her English husband and young child in Wiltshire. Zora's vocation is her work as an artist and notably a painter of landscapes and the bridges that span the river of her beloved Sarajevo. She also teaches art students, but in the afternoons retreats to her studio high in the eaves of the city's magnificent public library to work on her canvases.

Priscilla Morris is of Yugoslav and Cornish parentage, she grew up in London and spent her summers in Sarajevo. This is her first novel.

Location audio recordings: the street sounds of Sarajevo recorded by Rafael Diogo and featured on https://citiesandmemory.com/sarajevo-city-guide-best-sounds/

Read by Fenella Woolgar

Zora's husband, Franjo, and her frail mother have left to visit their daughter in the UK.

A universal story of domestic family life upended and fractured by inconceivable events.

Zora's older husband Franjo and her frail mother have brought forward their visit to England to see her daughter. Zora is free to immerse herself in her painting.

In many ways it's a universal story of domestic family life upended and fractured by inconceivable events which seem, even now, both far away and close at hand. The story begins in the spring of 1992 in the city of Sarajevo, as political tensions mount and barricades begin to appear in the streets.

Fifty-five year old Zora is married to Franjo, who is fifteen years older than her. Their daughter lives with her English husband and young child in Wiltshire. Zora's vocation is her work as an artist and notably a painter of landscapes and the bridges that span the river of her beloved Sarajevo. She also teaches art students, but in the afternoons retreats to her studio high in the eaves of the city's magnificent public library to work on her canvases.

Priscilla Morris is of Yugoslav and Cornish parentage, she grew up in London and spent her summers in Sarajevo. This is her first novel.

Location audio recordings: the street sounds of Sarajevo recorded by Rafael Diogo and featured on https://citiesandmemory.com/sarajevo-city-guide-best-sounds/

Read by Fenella Woolgar

Snipers position themselves on Sarajevo's rooftops, the city is under bombardment.

A universal story of domestic family life upended and fractured by inconceivable events.

Snipers position themselves on Sarajevo's rooftops, the besieged city is under bombardment. The price of food is doubling and Zora continues to paint in her studio.

In many ways it's a universal story of domestic family life upended and fractured by inconceivable events which seem, even now, both far away and close at hand. The story begins in the spring of 1992 in the city of Sarajevo, as political tensions mount and barricades begin to appear in the streets.

Fifty-five year old Zora is married to Franjo, who is fifteen years older than her. Their daughter lives with her English husband and young child in Wiltshire. Zora's vocation is her work as an artist and notably a painter of landscapes and the bridges that span the river of her beloved Sarajevo. She also teaches art students, but in the afternoons retreats to her studio high in the eaves of the city's magnificent public library to work on her canvases.

Priscilla Morris is of Yugoslav and Cornish parentage, she grew up in London and spent her summers in Sarajevo. This is her first novel.

Location audio recordings: the street sounds of Sarajevo recorded by Rafael Diogo and featured on https://citiesandmemory.com/sarajevo-city-guide-best-sounds/

Read by Fenella Woolgar

Telephone lines to the outside world have been cut, Sarajevo is besieged.

A universal story of domestic family life upended and fractured by inconceivable events.

Sarajevo, summer 1992: the siege continues, Zora is no longer permitted to go to her studio. All telephone lines to the outside world have been cut.

In many ways it's a universal story of domestic family life upended and fractured by inconceivable events which seem, even now, both far away and close at hand. The story begins in the spring of 1992 in the city of Sarajevo, as political tensions mount and barricades begin to appear in the streets.

Fifty-five year old Zora is married to Franjo, who is fifteen years older than her. Their daughter lives with her English husband and young child in Wiltshire. Zora's vocation is her work as an artist and notably a painter of landscapes and the bridges that span the river of her beloved Sarajevo. She also teaches art students, but in the afternoons retreats to her studio high in the eaves of the city's magnificent public library to work on her canvases.

Priscilla Morris is of Yugoslav and Cornish parentage, she grew up in London and spent her summers in Sarajevo. This is her first novel.

Location audio recordings: the street sounds of Sarajevo recorded by Rafael Diogo and featured on https://citiesandmemory.com/sarajevo-city-guide-best-sounds/

Read by Fenella Woolgar

Surrounded by snipers and hostile forces, Sarajevans struggle to survive.

A universal story of domestic family life upended and fractured by inconceivable events.

Without water, electricity or communications with the outside world and surrounded by snipers and hostile forces, Sarajevans struggle to survive in the hot summer of 1992.

In many ways it's a universal story of domestic family life upended and fractured by inconceivable events which seem, even now, both far away and close at hand. The story begins in the spring of 1992 in the city of Sarajevo, as political tensions mount and barricades begin to appear in the streets.

Fifty-five year old Zora is married to Franjo, who is fifteen years older than her. Their daughter lives with her English husband and young child in Wiltshire. Zora's vocation is her work as an artist and notably a painter of landscapes and the bridges that span the river of her beloved Sarajevo. She also teaches art students, but in the afternoons retreats to her studio high in the eaves of the city's magnificent public library to work on her canvases.

Priscilla Morris is of Yugoslav and Cornish parentage, she grew up in London and spent her summers in Sarajevo. This is her first novel.

Location audio recordings: the street sounds of Sarajevo recorded by Rafael Diogo and featured on https://citiesandmemory.com/sarajevo-city-guide-best-sounds/

Read by Fenella Woolgar

Zora's studio at the top of the National Library has been destroyed.

A universal story of domestic family life upended and fractured by inconceivable events.

Zora is heartbroken by the conflagration at the National Library which destroyed her studio and paintings.

In many ways it's a universal story of domestic family life upended and fractured by inconceivable events which seem, even now, both far away and close at hand. The story begins in the spring of 1992 in the city of Sarajevo, as political tensions mount and barricades begin to appear in the streets.

Fifty-five year old Zora is married to Franjo, who is fifteen years older than her. Their daughter lives with her English husband and young child in Wiltshire. Zora's vocation is her work as an artist and notably a painter of landscapes and the bridges that span the river of her beloved Sarajevo. She also teaches art students, but in the afternoons retreats to her studio high in the eaves of the city's magnificent public library to work on her canvases.

Priscilla Morris is of Yugoslav and Cornish parentage, she grew up in London and spent her summers in Sarajevo. This is her first novel.

Location audio recordings: the street sounds of Sarajevo recorded by Rafael Diogo and featured on https://citiesandmemory.com/sarajevo-city-guide-best-sounds/

Read by Fenella Woolgar

With her neighbours' help, Zora has secured a place on a Red Cross evacuation convoy.

A universal story of domestic family life upended and fractured by inconceivable events.

Despite her imminent departure on a Red Cross evacution convoy, Zora has bought some paints from the wife of an artist who is losing his sight.

In many ways it's a universal story of domestic family life upended and fractured by inconceivable events which seem, even now, both far away and close at hand. The story begins in the spring of 1992 in the city of Sarajevo, as political tensions mount and barricades begin to appear in the streets.

Fifty-five year old Zora is married to Franjo, who is fifteen years older than her. Their daughter lives with her English husband and young child in Wiltshire. Zora's vocation is her work as an artist and notably a painter of landscapes and the bridges that span the river of her beloved Sarajevo. She also teaches art students, but in the afternoons retreats to her studio high in the eaves of the city's magnificent public library to work on her canvases.

Priscilla Morris is of Yugoslav and Cornish parentage, she grew up in London and spent her summers in Sarajevo. This is her first novel.

Location audio recordings: the street sounds of Sarajevo recorded by Rafael Diogo and featured on https://citiesandmemory.com/sarajevo-city-guide-best-sounds/

Read by Fenella Woolgar

A bitter winter has arrived in the besieged city of Sarajevo. Zora doubts she can go on.

A universal story of domestic family life upended and fractured by inconceivable events.

Snow has arrived in Sarajevo, and the fierce cold of winter begins to gnaw at the besieged inhabitants of the city. Weak and hungry and frozen, Zora is not sure she can go on.

In many ways it's a universal story of domestic family life upended and fractured by inconceivable events which seem, even now, both far away and close at hand. The story begins in the spring of 1992 in the city of Sarajevo, as political tensions mount and barricades begin to appear in the streets.

Fifty-five year old Zora is married to Franjo, who is fifteen years older than her. Their daughter lives with her English husband and young child in Wiltshire. Zora's vocation is her work as an artist and notably a painter of landscapes and the bridges that span the river of her beloved Sarajevo. She also teaches art students, but in the afternoons retreats to her studio high in the eaves of the city's magnificent public library to work on her canvases.

Priscilla Morris is of Yugoslav and Cornish parentage, she grew up in London and spent her summers in Sarajevo. This is her first novel.

Location audio recordings: the street sounds of Sarajevo recorded by Rafael Diogo and featured on https://citiesandmemory.com/sarajevo-city-guide-best-sounds/

Read by Fenella Woolgar

A light and a passion has blossomed between Mirsad and Zora in the darkest of times.

A universal story of domestic family life upended and fractured by inconceivable events.

The light and passion that has blossomed between Mirsad and Zora in the darkest of times, almost protects them from the brutality of the war outside in the city under siege.

In many ways it's a universal story of domestic family life upended and fractured by inconceivable events which seem, even now, both far away and close at hand. The story begins in the spring of 1992 in the city of Sarajevo, as political tensions mount and barricades begin to appear in the streets.

Fifty-five year old Zora is married to Franjo, who is fifteen years older than her. Their daughter lives with her English husband and young child in Wiltshire. Zora's vocation is her work as an artist and notably a painter of landscapes and the bridges that span the river of her beloved Sarajevo. She also teaches art students, but in the afternoons retreats to her studio high in the eaves of the city's magnificent public library to work on her canvases.

Priscilla Morris is of Yugoslav and Cornish parentage, she grew up in London and spent her summers in Sarajevo. This is her first novel.

Location audio recordings: the street sounds of Sarajevo recorded by Rafael Diogo and featured on https://citiesandmemory.com/sarajevo-city-guide-best-sounds/

Read by Fenella Woolgar

With the help of an aid worker and son-in-law Stephen, Zora is smuggled out of Sarajevo.

A universal story of domestic family life upended and fractured by inconceivable events.

With the help of an aid worker named Dutch Eddie, Zora's son-in-law Stephen has smuggled her out of Sarajevo. Her memory of her last night in the flat is clouded by hypothermia.