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Cover of The Butterfly Tattoo

The Butterfly Tattoo

Philip Pullman (1992)

SubgenreLow Fantasy
Age groupYA 12-17
Content ratingPG-13
Pages (Quick Read (<250))
Setting
CSM age14
Goodreads3.17
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Content levels

ViolenceModerate
Sexual contentMild
LanguageMild

Trigger warnings

DeceptionManipulationBetrayal

Positive tags

Coming of AgeMysterySelf-Discovery

Hero archetypes

Working-Class HeroComing-of-Age Hero

Heroine archetypes

Mysterious Heroine

Protagonist archetypes

Coming-of-Age Protagonist

Tropes

Coming of AgeFish out of WaterHidden IdentityUnreliable Narrator

Themes

Coming of AgeTrust and BetrayalIdentityObsessionConsequences of ChoiceClass Divide

Synopsis

Seventeen-year-old Chris, living and working in Oxford, falls in love with an elusive girl and while searching for her discovers the devastating consequences of placing his trust in the wrong person. Suggested level: secondary.

Is The Butterfly Tattoo appropriate for my child?

Suitable for most readers 14 and up.

Parents should know this YA novel explores themes of obsession, betrayal, and the consequences of misplaced trust. Contains some mature themes around deception and manipulation that may resonate with older teens.

What to know going in

This book has moderate violence, mild sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include deception, manipulation, and betrayal.

Who'll love this

Teens will be drawn to the mysterious romance and the compelling search for an elusive girl in Oxford's atmospheric setting.

Tags

Contemporary FictionLiterary FictionRomancePsychological