I found this fictionalized account of the Maribal sisters to be a very good read. Does this mean I enjoyed it completely? Not exactly.
The first two parts of this novel were rather tedious, and I had a hard time getting into them. The last part however, was thrilling as well as informative. Thats because its when the girls really got into the movement. This book was touching and inspiring. It was sad to see the high points in the girls' lives, as I knew how it was going to end.
This was a good read, which I do recommend.

Long live the butterflies. ( )

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. ( )

Based on a true story of four sisters in the Dominican Republic who took on the government and, all but one, were killed. Chilling in these times. ( )

Treacle - bad read.

The four Mirabel sisters lived in the Dominican Republic during the reign of Trujillo. Known as Las Mariposas, “the Butterflies”, they became symbols of hope to a country in despair. Ms. Alvarez pays tribute to the spirit of the sisters (Dede, Patria, Minerva and Maria Teresa) in this beautifully written novel. She has created a fictional account of both the sisters and the events that took place. As each ‘sister’ is given the chance to tell us her story, I was pulled further in as the events that unfolded tugged at my heart and showed me what courage really is.

I really enjoyed this novel and will definitely be reading more of Julia Alvarez. I highly recommend to people interested in Las Mariposas, the Dominican Republic and historical fiction. ( )

In the Time of the Butterflies centers around the lives of four sisters, Dedé, Patria, Maria Teresa, and Minerva. They lived under the reign of Trujillo in the Dominican Republic and were some of the strongest opponents to his dictatorship. The lives of these sisters are extremely different and fraught with difficulty, however they all find the courage to stand up against what they believe is wrong. Because of this their story is told and retold for years after their deaths. Alvarez brings the sisters to life through the potency of her words and her amazing ability to connect with the characters. This is a book that would appeal to many different people because of the power of the story as well as the fluency of the writing. EW

In 1960, Minerva, Patria, and Maria Teresa Mirabel were brutally murdered because of their involvement in the underground movement to depose Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo. The Mirabel sisters, codenamed “Las Mariposas” (the butterflies), were instrumental in founding the underground movement and inspiring the formation of resistance cells throughout the country. The girls and their husbands and families were symbols of freedom, drawn into the resistance slowly and almost by chance as the cruelty of Trujillo’s regime began to personally impact their lives.

“In the Time of the Butterflies” by Julia Alvarez tells the true story of the brave Butterflies through the lens of fiction, highlighting their inspiring bravery in the face of cruel despotism. Written with quiet lyricism, Alvarez’s novel becomes a universal story of history, politics, freedom, and human courage. ( )

Maria Clement
2/9/09
Period: 1

In the Time of the Butterfly by Julia Alvarez is a book that reveals true courage. Based on a historical event, Julia Alvarez took advantage of the anonymity of the Mirabal Sisters and recreated them. Though she did not have enough information, she created true personalities while retaining the history behind it.
Patria Mercedes Mirabal, Minerva Mirabal, and Maria Teresa were three of four Dominican sisters who were sick of living under the dictator Trujillo also known as El Jefe. Their stories all told in first person draws you in as if you were a fly on the wall, or better yet, their backs. You watch them grow from kids to teens to adults to true life heroes. You see how their sisterhood change and somehow grow stronger. Then you begin to question, where do such courageous acts come from?
I really like this book; it is definitely a favorite of mines. I recommend In the Time of the Butterflies for those of us who love heart-pounding, eye opening, and “Just can’t put down” books; for those who like inspiration or lack knowledge of what us women can do as well. I am truly inspired by the Mirabal Sisters; they did what hundreds of thousand Trujillo fearing dictates could not do. They were murdered for wanting what everyone wants; a government ran by the consent of the governed. For that, I hope they rest in peace and forever be remembered.
The fourth Dominican sister, Dedé Mirabal, lived to tell the story of her sisters. Though she did not get involved, as told in the story, she is also a hero. Even though her story is told in third person omniscient, you also go through her journey with her. So if the question running through your mind is why she is alive, what happened to her sisters? Read!!

: ) ( )

I definitely enjoyed this book. Julia Alvarez did a good job of adapting this amazing true story. The movie version (with Salma Hayek and Marc Anthony) is also good. ( )

I read this book for a RL book group. It is the second book I had read about the Dominican Republic and the Trujillo dictatorship.

This book is much more personal and smaller in scope than the first book The Feast of the Goat. It concentrates on one family, the Mirabals. They have 4 daughters and through their beliefs, and the acquaintances they make, some of whom they marry, they end up in opposition to the regime.

These were real people, and they were murdered by the regime. They became heroes and legends, the author tries to tell the story focusing on their humanity and every day lives rather than their status as martyrs. This is a work of fiction, but is done so well, that the story seems real and plausible.

They were active towards the end of the dictatorship, when it was most vulnerable. They caught the fancy of the country and were more dangerous as symbols than perhaps as actual actors. In this book because the focus is almost completely on the family, its hard to tell what their impact on the larger society was. Reading The Feast of the Goat with its wider perspective, and which talks about the Mirabal sisters, makes it clearer why they were killed.

The writing is smooth, and it flows well. The characters are interesting, and people you care about. Very good, although wrenching read. ( )

The story of four revolutionary sisters in the Dominican Republic during the 1960's dictatorship. Each sister's story is told separately then interwoven. Great read, lots of characters. ( )

The story of a courageous family living under the Trujillo regime in the Dominican Republic. It is brilliantly narrated with the surviving sister Dede remembering the story, telling it to an American journalist.

Jullia Alvarez’s beautifully written and engrossing novel In The Time of the Butterflies, is based on the true of events that occurred in the Dominican Republic during the 1960’s. During the final days of the Trujillo dictatorship, three sisters and their driver were ambushed on their way back from home from visiting their jailed husbands. These sisters had been part of an underground movement to overthrow Trujillo and bring freedom back to the people of the Dominican Republic. In their death, these women, known as the Mariposas (the Butterflies) were martyred and became legendary creatures in this country.

More at: http://thenovelworld.com ( )

Set during the waning days of the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republica in 1960, this extraordinary novel tells the story the Mirabal sisters, three young wives and mothers who are assassinated after visiting their jailed husbands. Copyright #169; Libri GmbH. All rights reserved ( )

This historical fiction takes us to the Dominican Republic during Trujillo's dictatorship. Alvarez's courageous story inspired by the lives of the three Mirabel sisters, who were part of the underground revolution attempting to overthrow Trujillo, effectively communicates the societal and political complexities of the time. Readers will feel the character's despair and hope as they fight to live in a free country. The tough choices they make are frightening and inspiring. The author makes you feel as if you are part of the revolution. At times, you have close the book and remind yourself it's not happening to you. ( )

I adored this book. I went into it with a certain amount of reservation, as I had read How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents not that long ago and it hadn't stood out for me. This book, however, was amazing. The characters were dead on, Minerva, Patria, Dede, and Mate were like my family. I highly reccomend this book, if for nothing else than the powerful history lesson. ( )

I read this in high school, when I was excited by the name- I was already starting to associate with butterflies. I was also very excited to find bits of Spanish and my favorite Spanish word- mariposa. This story is told by the only one who wasn't really a part- the surviving sister, but we see intimately into each sister's life. I was enthralled by them, though the ending saddened me even though I think we knew what would happen from the beginning. ( )

Notes:
The story is a powerful fictionalized account of the Mirabals sisters who drove the underground movement against Dominican Republic dictator Trujillo. Alvarez personalizes this scarred history by telling the story from the perspective of the sisters, the one survivor and the memories of the deceased women. Great courage, perseverance and compassion are countered against the brutality of the country’s reality in the 1940-1950’s.
Wonderful taste of the culture in the D.R. and the power of these four young women.

This is one of the first book club selections. It was a somewhat "chick book", but I liked it. ( )

Each daughter had a welcoming persona. I felt for them as I breathed in the culture, the terror of the dictatorship. ( )

Please see my review here.