In the Time of the Butterflies
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Set in the Dominican Republic during the waning days of the Trujillo dictatorship of the 1960s, this extraordinary novel tells the story the Mirabal sisters―four women who opposed Trujillo, and became immortalized as Las Mariposas, "The Butterflies".
It is November 25, 1960, and three beautiful sisters have been found near their wrecked Jeep at the bottom of a 150-foot cliff on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. The official state newspaper reports their deaths as accidental. It does not mention that a fourth sister lives. Nor does it explain that the sisters were among the leading opponents of Gen. Rafael Leonidas Trujillo’s dictatorship. It doesn’t have to. Everybody knows of Las Mariposas―“The Butterflies.”
In this extraordinary novel, the voices of all four sisters―Minerva, Patria, María Teresa, and the survivor, Dedé―speak across the decades to tell their own stories, from hair ribbons and secret crushes to gunrunning and prison torture, and to describe the everyday horrors of life under Trujillo’s rule. Through the art and magic of Julia Alvarez’s imagination, the martyred Butterflies live again in this novel of courage and love, and the human cost of political oppression.
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9780143136545
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Authors
- Julia Alvarez
- Publisher
- Plume Books
- Published Date
- December 14, 2021
- Language
- Spanish
- Pages
- 368
- Physical Info
- 1.1 in H x 8 in L x 5.3 in W (0.95 lb)
In the Time of the Butterflies is a compelling and beautifully written story that highlights the courage and sacrifice of the Mirabal sisters during a turbulent time in the Dominican Republic. Julia Alvarez brings their story to life with vivid detail and deep empathy, making history feel immediate and personal.What I love most about this book is how it explores themes of bravery, family, and resistance through the eyes of each sister, giving a rich, layered perspective. The emotional depth and historical significance make it a moving read that stays with you long after the last page.This book is perfect for readers who appreciate powerful historical fiction grounded in real-life heroes. It’s an inspiring tribute to resilience and the strength of women standing up for justice.If you’re a fan of Julia Alvarez or stories about courage in the face of oppression, In the Time of the Butterflies is an essential read.
My biik arrived in good condition and much faster than expected. Very satisfied.
Great book, needed it for my Spanish class. Recommend also watching the movie as well! Oh and it came just on time as well.
This book is a beautifully-crafted recollection of the lives and deaths of the Mirabal sisters, Dominican revolutionaries who were killed by El Jefe, Trujillo.
A sad story but one that has to be told. Dictators like this one have got to be stopped. The story has to be told and taught. We keep history alive so we don’t forget, yet it keeps happening over and over again.
