Summary
A Cage of Butterflies is a 1992 young adult novel by Australian author Brian Caswell.[1]
 | |
| Author | Brian Caswell |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Gregory Rogers |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | University of Queensland Press |
Publication date | 1992 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback & Audio) |
| Pages | 164 pp |
| ISBN | 0-7022-2416-2 |
| OCLC | 27531260 |
| LC Class | PZ7.C26876 Cag 1992 |
Plot summary edit
The story is set in a research facility (known as the "farm") involving two groups of people. The first group contains several teenagers with IQs above 150. These teenagers (Greg, Mikki, Lesley, Gordon, Gretel, Katie and Chris) call themselves the "Think Tank". However, this group is merely a smokescreen for the real subjects of the research - five seven-year-olds who are able to communicate telepathically, known as the "Babies". The Babies are called Pep, Ricardo, Ian, Rachael and Myriam. The Babies were all born around the same time in the same hospital.
When the members of the first group are "contacted" by the Babies, they learn of the researchers' exploitation, and, with the help of compassionate workers at the facility (Susan and Erik), investigate the reason for the Babies' condition. The Babies need help as the head researcher, Larsen, will stop at nothing to solve the mystery. The Think Tank, as well as researcher Susan and young orderly Erik, provide this help.
They trick the head researcher, John Larsen, so they can escape. The story ends with the Think Tank six years into the future. They turned the think tank into 'Think Tank Inc.', a company worth three million dollars. The Babies, Think Tank and newlyweds Erik and Susan all live together. Greg and Mikki are also married.
The title, "A Cage of Butterflies" refers to the fact that Larsen and the research staff keep both the Babies and the think tank under constant supervision and keep them "caged" or "prisoners" since they do not allow them to move around freely.
Characters edit
Think Tank edit
- Greg
- Mikki
- Katie
- Lesley
- Gordon
- Gretel
- Chris
Researchers/scientists edit
- Larsen
- Susan
- Erik
- MacIntyre
- Richard (formerly)
The Babies edit
- Ian (twins with Rachael)
- Myriam
- Ricardo
- Rachael
- Pep
Awards edit
References edit
- ^ Kimberley, Maree (25 June 2011). "Neuroscience and Young Adult Fiction: A Recipe for Trouble?". M/C Journal. 14 (3). doi:10.5204/mcj.371. ISSN 1441-2616.
- ^ "CBCA Notable Books - Older Readers | Book awards". LibraryThing. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
- ^ "The Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards 1946 —" (PDF). The Children's Book Council of Australia. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 July 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
