Beautiful and sensitive storytelling of a revolution and four sisters in the Dominican Republic. Wonderful historical fiction. ( )

In the Time of the Butterflies is a novel based on the lives of the Mirabal sisters during the dictatorship of Trujillo (30's to 60's), so it basically is one of those obligatory books to read in high school here. I don't really like Julia Álvarez's style, so I wasn't too fond of the book. I feel it was way too romanticized when compared to the transcendence of the real events. But then again it's a novel, not a biography. ( )

The "Butterflies is about four very strong and couragous sisters who lived during the oppressive years of Truijillo in the Dominican Republic. These brave women strive to better the lives of their family and countrymen through guerilla-like strategies. I could not help thinking that we in the US have no idea what it is to live under such a horrible regime and how we take our free lifestyles for granted. I thought this book was well-written and gave the reader a feel for the sacrifice of fighting for freedom while trying to hold together a family. I would highly recommend this book. ( )

Based on the true story of the Mirabal sisters, In The Time of The Butterflies is the story of four women who were part of the movement to overthrow Trujillo's oppressive and cruel dictatorship of the Dominican Republic in the 1960's.

Alvararez tell the story from the perspectives of all four sisters. Each woman's life story is woven into the fabric of this novel to reveal what it was like to live, love, and raise children under a politically oppressive dictator.

I found the story very gripping. We have all heard the stories of major revolutionaries, people who singlemindedly strive for change, but what we don't hear are the stories of the people who participate on a smaller scale to make the revolution possible. I feel that Alvarez sheds light on what it was like for people who cared for the revolution, but cared for other things as well...parents, spouses, children, siblings, and homes.

As well written and compelling as the story was, I felt a lack of connection with the characters. I felt that they made choices that were sometimes unnecessarily reckless, like keeping a diary which names names and antagonizing a political dictator publicly. Perhaps it is my own inability to truly understand what it would be like to live in a country ruled by a monster, but whatever the reason I just didn't relate to the characters in the way I wanted.

All in all it is a book I would recommend reading. It's a fascinating look into a revolution from the eyes of four very different people who were at first bonded by their sisterhood, then bonded by their cause, and ultimately by their murders. ( )

A touching view of the Marisol sisters. A great insight into the reign of Trujillo. A must for those interested in Human Rights issues. In my top ten of girl power books. ( )