Editorial Review
From the author of
How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents comes this tale of courage and sisterhood set in the Dominican Republic during the rise of the Trujillo dictatorship. A skillful blend of fact and fiction,
In the Time of the Butterflies is inspired by the true story of the three Mirabal sisters who, in 1960, were murdered for their part in an underground plot to overthrow the government. Alvarez breathes life into these historical figures--known as "las mariposas," or "the butterflies," in the underground--as she imagines their teenage years, their gradual involvement with the revolution, and their terror as their dissentience is uncovered.
Alvarez's controlled writing perfectly captures the mounting tension as "the butterflies" near their horrific end. The novel begins with the recollections of Dede, the fourth and surviving sister, who fears abandoning her routines and her husband to join the movement. Alvarez also offers the perspectives of the other sisters: brave and outspoken Minerva, the family's political ringleader; pious Patria, who forsakes her faith to join her sisters after witnessing the atrocities of the tyranny; and the baby sister, sensitive Maria Teresa, who, in a series of diaries, chronicles her allegiance to Minerva and the physical and spiritual anguish of prison life.
In the Time of the Butterflies is an American Library Association Notable Book and a 1995 National Book Critics Circle Award nominee.
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Customer Reviews
Remarkable 
2008-07-19
This is one of the most beautiful, powerful books I have read. Images from this book have stayed with me for years. I strongly recommend it.
"Thou art strong and great, a hero." 2008-04-30
My sister-in-law bought this as a gift for me years ago and it ended up being one of my top 5 favorite novels of all time.
"In the Time of the Butterflies" is the true story of 4 sisters living in the Dominican Republic during the reign of the dictator Rafael Trujillo ("El Jefe"). Trujillo's reign was incredibly violent and he took personal pleasure in using fear and torture to achieve his political gains.
The 4 Mirabal sisters ("Las Miraposas") took on enormous personal risks in engaging in a systematic, underground movement to undermine Trujillo's dictatorship. Sadly, the Mirabals were caught for their involvement in the movement and 3 of the sisters were murdered in 1960, one year before Trujillo himself was assassinated. The remaining sister still lives in the Dominican Republic, where she tends to a museum that memorializes her sisters.
Julia Alvarez presents this incredible story of the Mirabal sisters with an amazing aptitude for language and a meticulous attention to detail. The book is very well researched and Ms. Alvarez does an awe-inspiring job of weaving historical fact into the narrative while maintaining a story rich with character and feeling.
I highly recommend this novel to anyone interested in these extraordinary, courageous women and, in reading their story, you will pay homage to the considerable risks they took to protect their country and their people.
Review on: In the Time of the Butterflies 
2008-04-17
In the time of the Butterflies was a confusing book. This book was confusing to me because it was hard to understand. Some parts of it didnt make since to me. When Dede was writing in her little book, that was hard to understand i didnt know why she was doing that and why she loved the book so much. Even though this book was confusing it was also very good. It had good details, they were very descriptive and they told you alot. For example, Dedes father tells her that she will bury them all in "silk and pearls". That line is one of many that is very descriptive. Julia Alvarez did a good job with details, but i still felt that it was very confusing. In the Time of the Butterflies was worth reading.
Simply Wonderful 2008-01-26
This historical fiction takes us to the Dominican Republic during Trujillo's dictatorship. Alvarez's courageous story inspired by the lives of the three Mirabel sisters, who were part of the underground revolution attempting to overthrow Trujillo, effectively communicates the societal and political complexities of the time. Readers will feel the character's despair and hope as they fight to live in a free country. The tough choices they make are frightening and inspiring. The author makes you feel as if you are part of the revolution. At times, you have close the book and remind yourself it's not happening to you.
Very Moving 
2007-10-09
A well written fictionalized account of the revolutionary struggles against Trujillo by three of four sisters in the Dominican Replublic. Memorable. The trouble with fictionalized history for me is that after awhile the lines between fact and fiction blur and I don't remember fact from fiction. I tend to stay away from books like this because of my eventual confusion. But, this book is worth it.
After the book and the film 2007-04-05
From the author of
How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents comes this tale of courage and sisterhood set in the Dominican Republic during the rise of the Trujillo dictatorship. A skillful blend of fact and fiction,
In the Time of the Butterflies is inspired by the true story of the three Mirabal sisters who, in 1960, were murdered for their part in an underground plot to overthrow the government. Alvarez breathes life into these historical figures--known as "las mariposas," or "the butterflies," in the underground--as she imagines their teenage years, their gradual involvement with the revolution, and their terror as their dissentience is uncovered.
Alvarez's controlled writing perfectly captures the mounting tension as "the butterflies" near their horrific end. The novel begins with the recollections of Dede, the fourth and surviving sister, who fears abandoning her routines and her husband to join the movement. Alvarez also offers the perspectives of the other sisters: brave and outspoken Minerva, the family's political ringleader; pious Patria, who forsakes her faith to join her sisters after witnessing the atrocities of the tyranny; and the baby sister, sensitive Maria Teresa, who, in a series of diaries, chronicles her allegiance to Minerva and the physical and spiritual anguish of prison life.
In the Time of the Butterflies is an American Library Association Notable Book and a 1995 National Book Critics Circle Award nominee.
Fantastic! 2007-03-28
This books is absolutely fantastic. I personally really enjoy books that cover the same story from several points-of-view so I didn't find it confusing at all. The story is so moving, especially because it is based on real events. Even though I knew what was coming, by the end I broke down into sobs. Beautiful.
confusing 
2007-03-11
I found this book to be very confusing because of all the spanish names and words. It is really hard to keep track of all the characters also. Each chapter is a different sister. All the sisters are married or going out w/someone and then there are their children and on top of that are all the government officials. I was just lost throughout the whole book.
Las Mariposas 2006-07-08
This book is really good because it is realistic and it shows the struggle of four young girls growing up in the Dominican Republic during the rise of the Trujillo dictatorship. The way it is written is a little bit odd since it shifts narrators between the four girls and they each talk about a different time period, but it is still very informative and hard to put down. And not only do I recommend this book, but the movie is also terrific and possibly a little easier to follow since it runs straight through without switching points of view.
In the Time of the Butterflies 2006-03-21
Great movie- A must have for anyone who's interested in learning more about one's culture.
