Rating: 
Summary: Enthralling and gripping . . . thank you, Julia Alvarez!!!
Review: Julia Alvarez does a brilliant job blending fact and fiction. The story of the Mirabal sisters is brought to life by Alvarez's extraordinary style of writing. I just can't find the right words to describe this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat, unable to put it down, wanting to read more and more. At times it is humorous and delightful, at others sad and horrific. It is written from the perspective of each sister: the pious and religious Patria (the oldest), the strong and fiesty Minerva (I love her best), the sensitive yet willful Maria Theresa, and Dede - the one who lived. The one who realized her strength and independence despite her doubts. Even though it is Dede who was not killed in the ambush on "the lonely mountain road," it is really all four women who are survivors; Patria, Mate, and Minerva lost their lives, yet their spirits and their courage live on. Through Dede they live on. Perhaps that is why she was not killed - to live to tell her sisters' stories as well as her own. Dede has always wondered why she escaped death, why she wasn't killed; interviewers always ask her that, yet she does not know why. But I believe that is the reason: she could tell their story. It is interesting how different and diverse the four sisters' personalities are, yet I see a bit of each one in every woman. Patria, the hopeful; Minerva, the feminist; Maria Theresa, the giver; and Dede, the unsure yet strong. What's more I learned of the dictator Trujillo and what was like to have lived under his regime. I never knew about him, never even heard of him until I read this book. This made me want to read and learn more not only about the Mirabal sisters, but about Trujillo ("El Jefe"). I love to read a book of fiction and learn about historical events - about people who actually existed and made a difference despite everything going against them. I learned of a period of history in a country that I knew nothing about (The Dominican Republic [I wonder why it's called that?] as well as a dictator I never heard of. For that, I thank Julia Alvarez. This is one of the best books I have ever read, and I recommend it highly for everyone - men and women, Dominican and non-Dominican, young and old. It is an inspiring read.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!!
Review: this book was an excellent tribute to women involved in a struggle. it had great historical references, while allowing the reader to get personally attached to each of the female characters' lives. i highly recommend it, as well as Farming of Bones by Edwidge Dandicat which portrays the hatian side of the same time period/struggle
Rating:
Summary: Extroardinary, Fantasting, To much for words
Review: I'm really not the type of person that reads a lof of books, but I have read a few of alvarez's works. I can honestly say that she is a wonderful writer and it is such an honor for her to be Dominican. I haven't really read or heard much of the Dominican history even though my parents are from the Dominican Republic, but after reading this book one of the stories from my countries history becomes so vivid and clear. Its as if i was transported back in time and was living the events along side the Mirabal sisters. Its amazing how these women where able to accomplish what much men where scared to try. This is truely a book i would recommend to every and anyone. Absolutely Brilliant!!!! So if u haven't read this book yet buy it you abosolutely wont regret it. This has been one of the best books I've ever read and hope to see much more work like it and knowing and having read some of Julia's work im sure I'll have the honor of reading more great works from her. I truely give Julia Alvarez thanks for helping to have taught me some of my countries great history.
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Summary: The butterflies and their life story is very inspiring
Review: After a very long time, I have come across a book so well written. Not only does it bring the facts into fiction so clearly, it is written in such a style that you don't feel like stopping everytime you start it - they've been many nights when I've been afraid to start reading because I know I am tired and if I start reading,I won't be able to stop... Julia Alvarez is truly a very talented writer. Especially for people who've come from an country where there are so-called dictators ruling, this book really touches every aspect of the lives the citizens of these countries. And the courage and life the Mirabal girls had to go on fighting despite all the horrible things that were being done to them is truly inspiring! Well done, the butterflies and Julia for writing such a wonderful novel.
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Summary: Mirabal Mariposas Take My Heart
Review: I am amazed by the strength of these women, dead since 1960, yet alive in my mind and heart since reading and rereading Alvarez' novel. No one growing up in the safety of the U.S. can fully understand the amount of courage these sisters had to have. They faced the threat of death and imprisonment with each attempt they made as members of the underground in El Salvador, seeking to overthrow the horrors of Trujillo and his SIM. Even though their deaths are inevitable, the suspense and joys one finds in reading Alvarez' novel make them legendary. I have taught and continue occasionally to teach children from El Salvador. This book gives me heightened respect for what their families experienced at the same time that I knew comfort and security. I am enriched by the verasimilitude of Alvarez' characterizations. Her book is a shrine to these heroic butterflies of iron, not unlike the shrine of their home now maintained by their surviving sister DeDe. After finishing the novel Alvarez' mother tearfully said, "You put me back in those days. It was like I was reliving it all. I don't care what happens to us! I'm so proud of you for writing this book." Alvarez' parents were part of the underground and escaped El Salvador just ahead of the death of the Mirabal women. To understand the fears of those who live in dictatorial countries, read In the Time of the Butterflies. You will never forget it.
Rating:
Summary: It's an AMAZING book!!
Review: "In the time of the butterflies" One of the best novels I've ever read. I have always been a big fan of Julia Alvarez and I have read many of her pass novels(How the Garcia girls lost their accents, Something to declare and YO!. I honestly believe this is her best book yet.
Rating:
Summary: learning history from a "novel" almost
Review: I love fictionalized accounts of historical events, and this one was particularly powerful. Alvarez filled in just enough detail to make these women not just historical figures, but people I loved.
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Summary: A truly never-ending story
Review: Certainly the Mirabal sisters will never be forgotten by the Dominican people, but anyone who reads this book will carry their story forever. Alvarez's style is perfectly suited for this type of story -- feminine and strong, allowing the reader to "grow up" with the sisters as they do. As I finished "In the Time of Butterflies", I was emotional not only because of the moving story but also for the simple fact that the story had ended.
Rating: 
Summary: I also lived Trujillo
Review: As a Dominican who lived under Trujillo's dictatorship until his ovethrowing in 1961, I was very taken by Ms. Alvarez' book. Her portrayal of Dominican family life is accurate and lifelike. I remember the trial for the murder of the Mirabal sisters--it was the first televised trial in the history of the D.R. I am also a niece by marriage of General Federico Fiallo who is portrayed in the book, and although as an adult I know he committed heinous crimes under Trujillo's orders, I also want to say that in his private life he was a kind man to his nieces and nephews. He committed suicide when they came to arrest him at his home. All around me when I was a child was the specter of Trujillo and his spies and enforcers. The terror we citizens endured was quite real although we managed to live normal everyday lives. His hand was everywhere. Ms. Alvarez book put into perspective many things that from the point of view of a child you see but fail to digest.
Rating:
Summary: Pictures of a turbulent time..........
Review: In the Time of the Butterflies is a fictional account(based on facts) of a revolutionary period in the Dominican Republic. The author acknowledges that she had to create a lot of the story based on a small amount of information she learned. The story is told from the point of view of the four Mirabal sisters. It takes you through their childhood, schooling, and their maturing into women of purpose, who dedicated their lives to their families and to their country. The characterizations of the sisters were a bit too simplistic, but still the story of their lives, dreams and desires was very well done. The story begins from the point of view of the surviving sister, Dede. Her feelings about being the survivor were excruciating and so honest that I find it hard to think that the author did not get these portions of the story directly from Dede. The story wraps itself in and out of the sisters lives, and is laced with religious faith and family strength, and sisterly bonds that can never be wrenched apart. The portrayal of Trujillo, the dictator, was chilling and vivid as far as it went. The torture and disappearing of people was also clearly portrayed for the horror that it was. This is an excellent story and gives a realistic, although fictionalized picture of a turbulent period in the political and social structure of the Dominican Republic.
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