Play Book Tag discussion

In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez - 4 stars - My GR Review

“When as a young girl I heard about the ‘accident,’ I could not get the Mirabals out of my mind. On my frequent trips back to the Dominican Republic, I sought out whatever information I could find about these brave and beautiful sisters who had done what few men – and only a handful of women – had been willing to do. During that terrifying thirty-one-year regime, any hint of disagreement ultimately resulted in death for the dissenter and often for members of his or her family. Yet the Mirabals had risked their lives. I kept asking myself, What gave them that special courage? It was to understand that question that I began this story…So what you find here are the Mirabals of my creation, made up but, I hope, true to the spirit of the real Mirabals.” – Julia Alvarez, A Postscript, In the Time of the Butterflies

Historical fiction based on the real lives of the four Mirabal sisters living under the repressive dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic, primarily set during the late 1940s to 1960. As the book opens, we understand that three of the four sisters have died. In 1994, the surviving sister, Dedé, is interviewed by a Dominican American writer to find out what happened. Each sister takes a turn narrating part of the story, giving the reader a glimpse into their differing personalities and reasons for getting involved in revolutionary activities. The sisters are the mariposas, Spanish for butterflies, referenced in the title.

This book provides an abundance of information about what life was like in the Dominican Republic under Trujillo. The characters are well-defined. The author uses a number of different perspectives in telling their stories, which at times seemed a bit of an odd choice, especially since only one of the characters is still living. On the plus side, it gives the reader a more fully formed picture of what the women valued and what they feared, enabling the reader to understand their motivations and actions. The author is skilled in holding the reader’s attention, despite knowing in advance how it will end. The Mirabal sisters are well-known in the Dominican Republic and this book is a beautiful tribute to their memory, bringing their dramatic, tragic, and heroic, story to a wider audience.

This was on my trim, but never got picked so I think I will carry it over for the unofficial trim in 2020.

Glad to hear such a positive review!

Don’t worry - (not that anyone was). The unofficial trim 2020 is coming. That will be super easy to put together. I really just wanted to make sure that we were focused on the exciting new challenges the moderators are putting together.

I loved this book Joy, glad you had the same reaction!

Meli wrote: "This was on my trim, but never got picked so I think I will carry it over for the unofficial trim in 2020.

Glad to hear such a positive review!"
Oh, good, sounds like you will get to it at some point!

Amy wrote: "Don’t worry - (not that anyone was). The unofficial trim 2020 is coming. That will be super easy to put together. I really just wanted to make sure that we were focused on the exciting new challeng..."
This is good to know and I plan to participate again in the Unofficial Trim.

Joanne wrote: "I loved this book Joy, glad you had the same reaction!"
Thanks, Joanne!

I read In the Time of the Butterflies many years ago, before I was on GR. It was the first I learned of the Trujillo regime in the DR. Eye opening. And I remember thinking the book was very well done. I hope many PBTers get to it this month or the Unofficial Trim.

Shelly wrote: "I read In the Time of the Butterflies many years ago, before I was on GR. It was the first I learned of the Trujillo regime in the DR. Eye opening. And I remember thinking the book was..."

I knew of it from relatives that visited there long ago. It was a brutal regime.

The unofficial trim is gaining steam... Looks like a new buddy read might emerge for In the Time of the Butterflies. At least for anyone who didn’t use it for Dominican. I am in my DR book right now. Hoping to make a dent in it tonight! Other delights soon await!

Amy, I will have to take a look at the possible buddy reads whenever it's time to make our lists for the unofficial trim.

As soon as everything else is laid out, I promise to be not far after. Maybe you and I will get to read something together in 2020.

Amy wrote: "As soon as everything else is laid out, I promise to be not far after. Maybe you and I will get to read something together in 2020."
Sounds good, Amy!