In the Time of the Butterflies (original 1994; edition 2010)

A hauntingly beautiful book about the Mirabal sisters, who were murdered for fighting against a dictatorship in the Dominican Republic in 1960. What is most compelling about the book are the ordinary domestic details that bring each sister to life. Highly recommended. ( )

For SCP bookclub in December; Erin's suggestion. I wanted to like it more than I did.

AP World History Review: a description of the book in my opinion

In the Time of the Butterflies tells a story of the lives of four sisters and what they had to endure during the time of Trujillo. He forced his way to power and remained in control for thirty years until he was assassinated in 1961. The sisters were a part of a secret anti-Trujillo organization that resulted in the death of three of them. Dede lived on to tell the story of her sisters and life living under Trujillo.

In the Time of the Butterflies was a marvelous book that was so hard to put down that I finished it in just a few short days. I would most definitely recommend it to anyone with a passion for history and dictatorships. The entire book is full of sadness that had me on the verge of tears. I would definitely give it a five out of five stars.

I can’t rate this book with 5 stars because its fiction/non-fiction format drove me crazy. I’d rather have had a non-fiction book about the Mirabal sisters. Given that there is one surviving sister I’d hope that wasn’t an impossible feat. If it really was, however, then I’d rather this historical fiction story have had entirely fictional characters as the main characters. The pertinent real people could have taken on more minor roles in the story, and then I wouldn’t have minded their fictionalization.

But this book really grabbed me. I ended up having actual nightmares because of and relating to this book. I thought the author did a tremendous job of giving an accurate feeling for what it might feel like to live under a dictatorship regime, and of being public, oppositional figures in such a situation. I enjoyed the writing style much more than I’d expected. I’d like to read other books by this author. I’ve heard her speak a couple times, and I’ve always come away favorably impressed.

I loved the humor in the book. I learned a lot about the time and place. I enjoyed the different voices, although I had to occasionally look back to see who was narrating.

I really enjoyed the characters Maria Teresa, and Minerva, but Patria less so. Maria Teresa struck me as somewhat shallow but very funny, Minerva as passionate and generous, and at times infuriating. Dede felt like a bit of a blur for much of the book; she’s the one who survived and who was available for providing some factual content. Perhaps it was her privacy that needed to be protected.

There weren’t many, but I enjoyed the little drawings in the story; some were like maps, though of small places.

My paperback copy had fascinating extras. The author talks a bit about herself; she was a refuge from Trujillo’s regime because of her father’s activism. I feel her passion coming through in her storytelling. There are discussion questions. And she explains about her choice to write this as a historical fiction novel.

I’d love to know how all the children and grandchildren and other descendents are doing now. I did get from this material how hard it must be to be a survivor of those who were and are martyred and revered. And I’d like to read more about this period in this place. I’m embarrassed that I knew nothing of it, even though I was alive (albeit young) during these atrocities. I’m always astounded and perturbed to read about horrific events that took or are taking place during my lifetime. I always think about what I was doing at the time, and how different my life was, and how ignorant I was.

I read this for my real world book club, and I finished it late, a first for me, but not because I wasn’t enjoying my reading experience. ( )

whether history or fiction, how can i not love a decently written book about strong inspiring women who fight against oppression and for a revolution? i'm only ashamed that i have never even heard of these women, their larger struggle (and all the other people who were a part of it), and the dictator/ship that they fought against and were killed by. ( )