Review: In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
Title: In the Time of the Butterflies
Author: Alvarez, Julia
Length: 352 pages
Genre: Fiction, Historical
Publisher / Year: Algonquin Books / 1994
Source: Second book received from my LibraryThing SantaThing last Christmas.
Rating: 5/5
Why I Read It: It was a gift, and it sounded interesting.
Date Read: 05/09/12
On November 25, 1960, three of the Mirabal sisters in the Dominican Republic were killed by the dictatorial regime. In this book, Alvarez imagines the life of the four sisters (the three who were murdered and the fourth who survived) from when they were little through to their death.
The novel opens with Dedé preparing for an interview, yet another, about her famous sisters – the butterflies of the revolution. From there, she moves to flashbacks of what she remembers, which moves smoothly to the next three chapters, one narrated by each of the martyred sisters, Patria, Minerva, and Marie Teresa. Each of the three sections is written in this manner, advancing in years as the novel progresses.
While my (obvious) preference would have been for a non-fiction biography of the sisters, this was an incredibly moving novel that worked so well. All four sisters had such a distinct voice and feel than the others. Their lives interacted so well through their stories and the family dynamics were believable and interesting.
The novel also gave an interesting portrayal of life under a brutal and suppressive dictator. It highlighted the ways that people are hidden from the truths and brainwashed into believing fabricated truths. It also showed the ways that people slowly come to learn, and the ways that people act when confronted, at long last, with the actual facts. Each of the sisters reacted in different ways to the knowledge of this truth, and it took some time for all of them. It was a fantastic portrayal of the different ways we all act under pressure and stress.
Highly recommended to all who enjoy stories about families, about revolution, about strong women, and / or about the ways in which we all choose to cope.
I love this novel so much I used to teach it. The shifting point of view–from one sister to another–heightened the emotional impact of the story they were telling, so that I thought it was much more powerful and memorable than it could have been as non-fiction.
Love this novel to pieces as well. Alvarez’s How The Garcia Girls Lost Their Accent is also really good.
This sounds remarkable. I love to read about strong women and will put this book on my wish list.
“Highly recommended to all who enjoy stories about families, about revolution, about strong women, and / or about the ways in which we all choose to cope.”
Yes, yes, yes & yes! This goes to the top of my TBR list! Thanks for the recommendation.
Thanks for this review Amy! I just requested the book from my library’s website and I’m looking forward to reading it!
I love this book. When I came across it as a teenager, it broadened my view of the world. There is a non-fiction account written by Dede, but as far as I know it is only available in Spanish. I have a copy, but my Spanish is pretty weak so I haven’t made it far into the book and can’t tell you whether it is any good.
Like you, I will love to read a non-fiction of this; but the fiction can do. Pithy review.
I’ve read one Alvarez book and loved it so I’m looking forward to reading more of hers. This sounds as excellent as I remember her Yo! to be.
I took a class with Julia Alvarez while I was in college, and I am sorry to say, I still haven’t read this one of hers…. Bad me.
I do have it on the shelves though.
Curious that the author would write a novel as opposed to a non fiction book. I agree that this would be preferable.
Your commentary does make this seem very good, however. Trujillo was indeed a very bad character.
I’ve had this on my shelf for years. And every time I read a post about it I think “Must read. Soon.” Not sure why I haven’t listened to myself.
I have this one in my TBR and keep meaning to get to it. Thanks for the encouragement!
Hopefully I will lay my hand on this novel. Nice review.
I have a Julia Alvarez novel waiting on my shelf and I’ve been meaning to read it for so long. Thanks for the reminder!
I saw a film some time ago along similar lines, though I cannot remember the title. A fine review, as usual, of a remarkable book.
A lovely novel, beautifully written and a succinct review.
I stumbled upon your blog while looking for book recommendations. I had heard about “In the time of butterflies” but reading your review of it I think I will buy it. I just started blogging about books so far its been an interesting experience. Thanks for the review.
I stumbled upon your blog while looking for book recommendations. I had heard about “In the time of butterflies” but reading your review of it I think I will buy it. I just started blogging about books so far its been an interesting experience. Thanks for the review.