Book Review: In the Time of the Butterflies

 

In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez is a historical fictional novel based in the Dominican Republic during the 1950s. Primarily following the lives of the Mirabal sisters, also known as “Las Mariposas”: Patria, Dedé, Minerva, and María Teresa. These girls were active opponents of Trujillo, a man who had seized dictatorship of the Dominican Republic during that time. Each chapter walks the reader through the perspective of each sister, all of which offer a different look at self growth and experiences. The book takes historical facts and blends them with fiction, which also explore different themes of resistance, courage, and the impact of political oppression. 

 

The first themes, resistance and courage, are seen heavily throughout the entire novel. The Mirabal sisters show courage in the face of severe repression in the novel. Patria, Minerva, and María Teresa all risk their lives in an effort to take down the dictatorship in their country and help their families and friends finally be free after years under an oppressive regime. Patria Mirabal, the eldest sister in the group, transforms from a devoutly religious woman into a fierce activist after witnessing the brutality of Trujillo’s regime, especially as it has taken a toll on her own family and children. She gives up her freedom, hoping to live to see a future where her children will live free and proud in their country. Minerva Mirabal, the most politically active of the sisters, constantly expresses a strong sense of justice and a desire to challenge the dictatorship throughout the novel. Her involvement with the underground resistance leads the rest of the sisters to join the revolution, thus showing courage. María Teresa Mirabal, the youngest sister of the group, soon changes from a naive and sheltered girl into a committed revolutionary, this in part due to her sisters’ influence. 

 

Another theme that occurs in the novel is the impact of political oppressions. The author constantly shows the harsh realities of living under a brutal dictatorship and toll it can have on you and your family. Although the rest of her sisters took part in the revolution, Dedé Mirabal, the second oldest of the Mirabal sisters, refused to get involved. Not wanting to endanger her family or her children, she stays back, while also dealing with the emotional pain and trauma of seeing her sisters putting themselves at risk and dangers. Eventually, Dedé becomes the only sister to survive the terrors of the regime, after the rest of her sisters are brutally murdered during their efforts to participate in the revolution. This leaves Dedé to grapple with the aftermath of trauma while finally being able to live in a world without a dictatorship, largely due to her sisters’ sacrifice. 

 

In conclusion, the historical fictional novel, In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez is a compelling story about the courage of others and how its impact can last generations and affect a lifetime. This novel goes deeper into each character’s story, while also paying homage to the original sisters whose sacrifices affected the Dominican Republic’s political history. I truly enjoyed this novel a lot, and I think the author did a great job with blending the historical facts and fictional stories of the characters. 

 

–Reviewed by Teen Volunteer, 8/21/24