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novabird's review against another edition
4.0
If you multiply by zero, you still get zero, and a thousand heartaches.
Like Dede who is haunted by the death of her three sisters, we too as readers experience a similar sense of the power of memory. Alvarez, in a simple clear style invokes memory with the physicality of the sisters themselves and those that they interact with. Each of the sister’s voices is distinct, telling the Trujillo history of the Dominican Republic and about its people. Alvarez so deftly tells us the story that it transports the tale into the here and now.
Some other quotes:
- We’ve traveled almost the full length of the island and can report that every corner is wet, every river over-flows it banks, every rain barrel is filled to the brim, every wall washed clean of writing no one knows how to read anyway.
- Sometimes I really feel it here, especially late at night, a current among us, like an invisible needle stitching us together into the glorious, free nation we are becoming.
- In fact, I would go so far as to say that by reading books, entering other realities, and then taking those adventures back into our lives, we are freedom fighters.
Definitely worth reading, I would give, "In the Time of the Butterflies," a higher rating if only there had been left any records of what the sisters were like or what they experienced and this had been accounted for in the novel. Working with what she has, Alvarez still gives us a realistic account without any sensationalization. 4.5
Like Dede who is haunted by the death of her three sisters, we too as readers experience a similar sense of the power of memory. Alvarez, in a simple clear style invokes memory with the physicality of the sisters themselves and those that they interact with. Each of the sister’s voices is distinct, telling the Trujillo history of the Dominican Republic and about its people. Alvarez so deftly tells us the story that it transports the tale into the here and now.
Some other quotes:
- We’ve traveled almost the full length of the island and can report that every corner is wet, every river over-flows it banks, every rain barrel is filled to the brim, every wall washed clean of writing no one knows how to read anyway.
- Sometimes I really feel it here, especially late at night, a current among us, like an invisible needle stitching us together into the glorious, free nation we are becoming.
- In fact, I would go so far as to say that by reading books, entering other realities, and then taking those adventures back into our lives, we are freedom fighters.
Definitely worth reading, I would give, "In the Time of the Butterflies," a higher rating if only there had been left any records of what the sisters were like or what they experienced and this had been accounted for in the novel. Working with what she has, Alvarez still gives us a realistic account without any sensationalization. 4.5
sillymaya's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Read this book to educate myself on more about the Dominican Republic while on vacation in the DR. And I did learn! It was emotional to learn about the Mirabal sisters lives & death. The international day against violence against women was born because of them 🦋
ramonacecillia's review against another edition
5.0
this book was assigned to us in 10th grade language arts. i stole it from my school upon reading, and it had lived on my bookshelf for the past 7 years. it is not a book i imagine ever giving away.
matt315's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
gen_319's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
katlizlove's review against another edition
5.0
I really did enjoy this book. It brought a great deal of tears and inspiration. My one qualm is that there are so many liberties taken with the history of the events and people, but I do think it’s a good story to peak people’s interests in the dictatorship in the Dominican.
jammons's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0