BOOK BRIEFS
Title: In the Time of the Butterflies
Author: Julia Alvarez
Genre: Novel Historical fiction / non-fiction
Setting: Dominican Republic 1930s to 50s during the regime of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo
In the Time of the Butterflies is the story about the life of Patria, Minerva, and Maria Teresa Mirabal. They were three sisters who made the ultimate sacrifice for their freedom and that of their country during the times of despotic reign of the tyrant and dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo in Dominican Republic. He took power in 1930 and was overthrown in 1961. Most Dominican’s believe Trujillo’s demise was due to what happens at the end of this story.
In the Time of the Butterflies is historical fiction based on real events. The surviving Mirabal sister, Dedé says this novel is fiction. However, Julia Alvarez provides historic data sprinkled with the feel of authentic family elements, and cultural idiosyncrasies and features. That’s what places this novel in a category of its own.
Julia Alvarez was the right person for the job. Alvarez’s background and that of her family coincide with many who lived under Trujillo’s regime. The Alvarez had to escape their home country when it was discovered Julia’s father was involved in the underground movement to remove Trujillo from power, much like the Mirabal sisters.
It made me feel emotional and nostalgic. Since a young girl I had heard their story on and off in the corridors of my young years growing up in Dominican Republic. There are parts of the novel which excite you and make you proud for the sacrifices the Mirabal sisters made, and the dedication to their family and freedom. At the same time, (spoiler alert) you would hope for a happy ending, but in this this case it’s just tragic.
The main characters of the novel are Patria, Minerva, and Maria Teresa Mirabal. Patria was the eldest of the three, Maria Teresa the baby in the family by nine years. There were four Mirabal sisters, Dedê survived and kept her sisters’ legacy alive until her passing in 2014.
Julia Alvarez’ novel tells their story how it should be told, with the sweetness of prose that threads the life of these three amazing women, their parents, their husbands and the sister who survived the Revolution. Though revolution is what the Mirabals live, their life story is much more than that. Alvarez speaks about their struggles, love, courage, joy, conquests, and defeats.
I did not want to put this book down when I started reading it. It is inspiring as well as painful. The book itself a memory of lives that inspire entwined with politics, love, sorrow, family saga and joy.You should read this story. You may also want to consider watching the movie of the same title starring Salma Hayek, Edward James Olmos and Marc Anthony.
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