Ease Reading-Find Your Next Favorite Book

Hot Search

Something to Declare: Essays

julia alvarez

... Show More
"Reading Julia Alvarez's new collection of essays is like curling up with a glass of wine in one hand and the phone in the other, listening to a big-hearted, wisecracking friend share hard-earned wisdom about family, identity, and the art of writing." --People The rich and revealing essays in Something to Declare offer Julia Alvarez's dual meditations on coming to America and becoming a writer. In the first section, "Customs," Alvarez relates how she and her family fled the Dominican Republic and its oppressive dictator, Rafael Trujillo, settling in New York City in the 1960s. Here Julia begins a love affair with the English language under the tutelage of the aptly named Sister Maria Generosa. Part Two--"Declarations"--celebrates Alvarez's enduring passion for the writing life. From the valentine to mythic storyteller Scheherazade that is "First Muse," to a description of Alvarez's itinerant life as a struggling poet, teacher, and writer in "Have Typewriter, Will Travel," to the sage and witty advice of "Ten of My Writing Commandments," Alvarez generously shares her influences and inspirations with aspiring writers everywhere.

Grandfather's blessing
Our papers
My English
My second opera
I want to be Miss América
El Doctor
La Gringuita
Picky eater
Briefly, a gardener
Imagining motherhood
Genetics of justice
Family matters
First muse
Of maids and other muses
So much depends
Doña Aída, with your permission
Have typewriter, will travel
A Vermont writers from the Dominican Republic
Chasing the butterflies
Goodbye, Ms. Chips
In the name of the novel
Ten of my writing commandments
Grounds for fiction
Writing matters

300 pages, Paperback

First published August 1,1998
Places
new york city new york, dominican republic, 

This edition

Format
300 pages, Paperback
Published
September 1, 1999 by Plume
ISBN
9780452280670
ASIN
0452280672
Language
English

More editions

About the author

Profile Image for julia alvarez

julia alvarez

... Show More
Julia Alvarez left the Dominican Republic for the United States in 1960 at the age of ten. She is the author of six novels, three books of nonfiction, three collections of poetry, and eleven books for children and young adults. She has taught and mentored writers in schools and communities across America and, until her retirement in 2016, was a writer-in-residence at Middlebury College. Her work has garnered wide recognition, including a Latina Leader Award in Literature from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, the Hispanic Heritage Award in Literature, the Woman of the Year by Latina magazine, and inclusion in the New York Public Library's program “The Hand of the Poet: Original Manuscripts by 100 Masters, from John Donne to Julia Alvarez.” In the Time of the Butterflies, with over one million copies in print, was selected by the National Endowment for the Arts for its national Big Read program, and in 2013 President Obama awarded Alvarez the National Medal of Arts in recognition of her extraordinary storytelling.

Photo copyright by Brandon Cruz González
EL VOCERO DE PUERTO RICO

Readers also enjoyed

Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 75 votes)
5 stars
25(33%)
4 stars
25(33%)
3 stars
25(33%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
75 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Claimed_Dude
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
Julia Alvarez is a renowned writer who pens her biographical essays with great skill and charm.

Here, she imparts worldly words of wisdom in a humorous and engaging way to us all. Her essays are always full of interesting anecdotes that make for a captivating read.

Alvarez's writing is a truthful counterpart to her book Yo!, offering readers a unique and personal perspective on her life and experiences.

Whether you are a fan of her fiction or simply interested in reading about the life of a talented writer, her biographical essays are sure to delight.

I highly recommend them to all literary aficionados out there.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Ellixer
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
It was an extremely good book!

I truly relished the stories that pertained to her childhood. The way they were presented made me feel as if I was right there with her, experiencing those moments.

I would also highly recommend "When I Was Puerto Rican" and "Almost a Woman" by Esmeralda Santiago. Her writing style is wonderfully entertaining. It engages the reader from the very first page and keeps them hooked until the end.

Her vivid descriptions bring the characters and settings to life, making it easy to imagine everything.

Whether you're interested in memoirs or just enjoy a good story, these books are definitely worth reading.

You'll be captivated by her experiences and inspired by her journey.

So, don't hesitate to pick up these books and embark on an amazing literary adventure.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
silverkoibito
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
Wow - I absolutely adored this book!

I am truly sorry that I allowed it to remain on my shelf for such a long time before finally selecting it. I initially thought I would read one essay at a time over the course of a few weeks, but in reality, I ended up reading it in just two sittings.

I have read several of this author's novels and poems and have always been captivated by her unique voice. Reading these essays was no different - it was like indulging in a rich and satisfying menu of stories that beautifully convey themes of transition, commitment, and the importance of honoring a life dedicated to words.

I especially love this sentence: "In a world without any books, we would not be the same kind of critter." Amen to that! It perfectly encapsulates the profound impact that books have on our lives and our very essence as human beings.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Seljuk
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More

I only had the opportunity to read a few of these essays in order to decide which ones I would teach. However, after perusing through them, I found myself completely captivated by her writing style. It is truly remarkable and engaging. Her words flow effortlessly, painting vivid pictures in my mind and evoking a wide range of emotions. Each sentence is carefully crafted, filled with depth and meaning. I can sense the passion and dedication she has put into her work. It is not just about the content, but also the way she presents it. I am excited to share her essays with my students and introduce them to this wonderful writing style. I believe they will also be inspired and learn a great deal from it.

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
jadagirly
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
This book was exquisitely written, and I simply couldn't tear myself away from it.

It provided me with profound insights into the world of children who are compelled to mature in a foreign land, away from their home country.

Their arduous struggle of seeking their rightful place and their native heart language is vividly depicted.

One can almost feel the confusion, the longing, and the determination within these young souls as they navigate through a strange environment.

The author's ability to bring this world to life is truly remarkable.

It makes the reader empathize with the characters and understand the challenges they face.

This book is not just a story; it's a powerful exploration of identity, belonging, and the power of language.

It leaves a lasting impression and makes one reflect on the importance of cultural roots and the significance of finding one's true self.

Overall, it's a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the human experience in a globalized world.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Sam_Lingdis
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More

Something to Declare: Essays is a charming collection of essays penned by Julia Alvarez over the years. Her essays often touch on the time when her family had to flee from the Dominican Republic to New York City after her father was involved in a plot to assassinate dictator Trujillo. As Alvarez notes, Dominicans view the death not as an assassination but as "an ajusticiamiento, a bringing to justice... after thirty-one years, Trujillo was brought to justice, found guilty, and executed." Many essays explore the immigrant experience as her family adapts to life in America while most of their relatives remain in the Dominican Republic, where Alvarez spent many summers. She emigrated with her parents and sisters at ten. Many essays are about her grandparents and godmother, discussing her early childhood in the Dominican Republic. It's fascinating to see how well they adapted and assimilated in America. However, Alvarez felt that the issues in her "secret soul" had no place in this world and culture, leading to a secret inner life that contributed to her becoming a writer.

One of her most beloved books, In the Time of the Butterflies, is an historical fiction novel about the Mirabal sisters, Patria, Minerva, and Maria Teresa, and their murder. Alvarez discusses her father's shock as the sisters were part of the same underground he had escaped. The sisters had to make a perilous journey on a lonely mountain road as their husbands were transferred to a distant prison. Alvarez felt haunted by them due to this connection. In the essay Chasing the Butterflies, she talks about the impact of her father bringing home a Time magazine article about the sisters' murders. Forbidden to read it as a child, she later looked up the article while researching the Mirabals. She returned to the Dominican Republic, met Dede, the surviving sister, and traveled with her husband to gather research. Despite her parents' warnings not to publish the book, Alvarez inscribed a copy to them with a note thanking them for instilling in her a desire for freedom and justice through their sufferings.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
HeartlessMustard
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More

Have to admit I am a bit disappointed.

I picked this up at a Little Free Library, thinking it was a work of fiction of hers that I had not read yet.

She is one of my favorite authors and I was really looking forward to losing myself in one of her stories.

When I got home, I realized it was a collection of essays.

They're not bad, but just not what I was expecting.

I also have no ambitions of being a writer, which is what a lot of the essays touch on.

I enjoyed the ones about her childhood much more.

In fact, those essays about her childhood were like little windows into her past.

They gave me a better understanding of who she was and how she became the writer she is today.

Even though it wasn't the fictional story I was hoping for, I still found some value in this collection of essays.

It made me appreciate her writing even more and reminded me why she is one of my favorite authors.

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
goes
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
I absolutely loved this book.

It was so incredibly honest, laying out the characters and their stories with a raw authenticity that made it impossible not to be engaged.

The author's ability to convey the emotions and experiences in such a vivid and touching way was truly remarkable.

Each page seemed to pull at my heartstrings, making me laugh at times and bringing tears to my eyes at others.

The story was not only entertaining but also deeply thought-provoking, making me reflect on my own life and relationships.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a truly engaging and moving read. It is one that will stay with you long after you have turned the final page.
0 0 Reply
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.