Dellarobia feels trapped in her marriage, worn down by her children and discounted by her in-laws. She is about to seek solace and escape through a reckless affair when she stumbles across thousands upon thousands of butterflies, congregating on the hilltop. Her actions are halted, her life and that of her community is changed as everyone tries to come to terms with the apparent miracle. But the scientists declare this is a manifestation of climate change. How can something so beautiful signify such horrors to come?

Told by Dellarobia, this story is a deeply personal account of a woman who feels she has lost her way and, through this collision with nature, uncovers truths about herself and her relationships. There are delightful touches of humour in the descriptions of the monotony of daily life, as well as a poignancy, delicacy and sensitivity as Dellarobia finally forces her family to talk about all that has been left unsaid.