Ratings can be a subjective matter, especially when it comes to books. When rating this particular book on its own merits, I would give it a score of around 4. However, when compared to the other works of Julia Alvarez that I have read, I would rate it a 3. After much consideration, I decided to rate it without making comparisons.

One aspect that I really liked about this book was that it delved into the story of another branch of the central family from "How The Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents" and had an interesting interconnectedness with the plot of "In The Time of The Butterflies". It was fascinating to see how these different storylines wove together.

Moreover, I thought the book addressed the theme of growing up as a young woman during that specific time period in a beautiful and poignant way. It captured the challenges, dreams, and experiences of young women with great sensitivity.

However, I do have a few critiques. I don't think writing from the perspective of young people is the author's greatest strength. There were times when the voices of the young characters didn't quite ring true to me.

Another thing that irked me was the use of Spanish followed by an English translation. In the other books by Alvarez that I have read, one of the things that made them so unique was the almost confessional style. I felt that the translations in this book took away from that authenticity and made the reading experience a bit less engaging.

I don't know what it is about me and books based on dictatorship times.

Maybe it's the sense of mystery and the hidden stories that lie within those pages.

These books have a way of transporting me to a different era, a time when freedom was a luxury and people had to fight for their rights.

The characters in these books often face insurmountable odds, yet they manage to find the strength within themselves to keep going.

It's inspiring to read about their struggles and how they overcome them.

Perhaps it's also the fact that these books serve as a reminder of the importance of freedom and democracy.

They make me appreciate the rights and freedoms that we enjoy today and make me more determined to protect them.

Whatever the reason, I find myself drawn to these books again and again, eager to explore the worlds they create and learn from the lessons they teach.

The novel, Before We Were Free, by Julia Alvarez, is a captivating work that combines elements of thrill, excitement, and sadness. It allows the reader to see the world through the eyes of a twelve-year-old girl. Ms. Alvarez, who was born and raised in the Dominican Republic but now resides in Middlebury, Vermont, draws inspiration from her own experiences.

When she was ten, she lived in New York. Her childhood was far from the peaceful and tranquil life she leads today. In her novel, she uses simple characters and transforms them into well-rounded individuals through unique events.

The story begins in the Dominican Republic under the rule of the cruel dictator Rafael Trujillo. It wasn't the summary that hooked me, but the acknowledgement page that said, "for those who stayed." This immediately made me wonder who stayed, why they stayed, and if they had to.

The twelve-chapter story takes the reader to the Dominican Republic and places them in the shoes of Anita de la Torre. Each character, seen through Anita's perspective, captures the reader's attention. Whether it's her mysterious father, Papi, or the superstitious family maid, Chucha, they all have a significant impact on Anita's life.

In the first chapter, the tension begins as everyone starts to get nervous. Anita's best friend, Carla Garcia, is taken from class in the middle of the day, and Anita's questions are met with Papi's worried responses.

Julia Alvarez continues to build the tension as Anita's uncle disappears, and the SIM enters the de la Torre family's compound. The American consul, Mr. Washburn, and his family move in to protect them. Finally, as Papi leaves with a gun at his waist, the reader is left wondering what will happen next.

Alvarez succeeds in creating an emotional ride for the reader, making them question the characters' decisions. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a thrilling story set in the 60s with inner and external conflicts among all the characters.

Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez

This is the memoir of a 12-year-old girl, which tells us about the last days of the Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina dictatorship, nicknamed "El Jefe." With the innocence that only a young girl can bring to the horrific events of a cruel dictator, we are given a "testimony," as the author explains. "There is a tradition in Latin American countries known as 'testimonio.' It is the responsibility of those who survive the struggle for freedom to give testimony."

Anita de la Torre is almost twelve when the story begins in November of 1960. She is rushed out of school because her cousin Carla has to be rushed to the US. As she later learns, her uncle Carlos is wanted by the SIM, Trujillo's secret police, for conspiring against the dictatorship. As her uncle and his family leave, her father Mundo de la Torre and his house/compound are searched a few days later. Anita knows that her other uncle Toni is also in hiding for the same reason.

Soon, the American consul, Henry Washburn, moves to their compound. Anita's grandfather had bought property in 1930 after a hurricane and built a house, surrounded by houses for all his children. The move brings some tranquility and security because the American consul has diplomatic immunity and the searches from the SIM stop. Her uncle Tony can also return home.

But as her father, uncle, and the American consulate plot to bring the dictatorship down, those 12-year-old eyes and ears tell the reader what all the secrets and meetings are for. As Trujillo is assassinated by the group led by her father, Anita and her mother are hidden at the Italian consulate, hoping they can get away.

Narrated from the first-person point of view, in innocent prose, this is the story of the end of a brutal dictatorship. It starts in November 1960 and ends in November of 1961. In almost poetic prose, we learn how "It's scary being the ones left behind."

As we struggle in today's world, this story of struggle and bravery is probably more meaningful today than it was back in the 60's. The plight of refugees has taken a dark direction, especially under the current administration. This story accentuates the importance of helping those escaping dictatorships and fleeing for their lives and the lives of those they love. Highly recommended.

Before We Were Free, by Julia Alvarez, is a captivating historical fiction book.

It centers around the life of a 12-year-old Dominican Republic girl named Anita. Set in the 1940s, during the rule of Rafael Trujillo, the story initially failed to grip my attention. However, as I persisted in reading, it gradually became more interesting.

Throughout the book, one can observe numerous double meanings and hidden themes. There are also many fascinating similes and metaphors. For instance, the title of chapter 4, "Disappeared Diary," holds a double meaning, revealing how her family's secrets are concealed from her.

Personally, I didn't have a great affinity for the book. Nevertheless, it undeniably merits attention as it is exquisitely written. Despite the slow start due to the introduction of characters and their relationships with Anita, the narrative gains momentum as the issues with Trujillo begin to surface.

The book does lack some action, so if you're a fan of action-packed stories, this might not be the ideal choice for you. However, I would highly recommend this book to those who have a penchant for historical fiction.

I thought that this book was truly accurate in depicting what actually occurred in the Dominican Republic.

Despite its accuracy, I didn't have a great deal of enjoyment from reading the book. It had some parts that were rather slow-paced, making it a bit of a struggle to keep turning the pages. However, there were also certain sections that were quite good and it was easy to progress through.

Nevertheless, it still contained a lot of positive aspects. It compelled you to think deeply about the story and required a small amount of research to understand what was happening. Additionally, it had numerous symbols within it that were fascinating. The chapter titles often had double meanings related to what was going to unfold later in the chapter.

I wouldn't recommend it to an average person looking for a fun read. But if you are currently studying what happened in the Dominican Republic and desire to read about a firsthand experience of it, then I would definitely recommend it to you.

Loved, loved, loved this!!!

It is a coming-of-age novel that focuses on a girl who, together with her family, has to deal with the tyranny of the 1960's Dominican Republic dictatorship.

Alvarez accomplishes an amazing feat by narrating the story from the perspective of the main character.

In the beginning, she is just a child, but as she starts to realize the harsh realities of her world, her voice undergoes a transformation.

The way Alvarez portrays the girl's growth and the challenges she faces is truly remarkable.

It makes the reader empathize with the character and understand the impact of the dictatorship on their lives.

This novel is not only a captivating story but also a powerful exploration of history and human nature.

It is definitely an awesome read that I would highly recommend to others.

Historical fiction that delves into a period of history about which I was completely ignorant - 1960 in the Dominican Republic under the dictatorship of General Trujillo.

This particular work of historical fiction has opened my eyes to a world and a time that I had never before explored. The vivid descriptions and engaging narrative have made me eager to learn more about this era.

It is truly remarkable how a fictional story can bring to life the events, the people, and the atmosphere of a specific historical period. I am certain that this is a book that I will be sharing with my daughters in a few years.

By introducing them to this historical fiction, I hope to spark their curiosity about different times and places, and to help them develop a better understanding of the world around them.

I believe that through reading such stories, they will be able to gain a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices and struggles of those who came before us, and perhaps even be inspired to make a positive difference in the world themselves.

Book 64 of my TIME "Top 100 YA Books of All Time" challenge!

This is a truly fantastic and quick read. It offers a vivid portrait of what it must have been like to come of age in a politically fraught and dangerous era. We get to witness Anita as she tries to make sense of the world around her. She wonders why the adults are acting so strangely and why she can't ask questions about their odd behavior. At the same time, she also worries about the normal things that we all worry about while growing up, such as how to style her hair and whether the boys in her class like her back. As Anita uncovers the truth about the Trujillo dictatorship that she lives under, readers too begin to more fully understand the concept of the word "freedom." It makes us think about how precious freedom is and how easily it can be taken away. This book is definitely worth a read, as it not only entertains but also educates and makes us reflect on important aspects of life and history.

I read this for class and I was truly captivated by the narrator.

The way the narrator told the story added a unique charm to the novel.

Some parts of the novel were really engaging and held my attention throughout.

However, it's important to note that this novel is definitely not my all-time favorite.

There were certain aspects that didn't quite resonate with me as strongly as I would have liked.

Nonetheless, I still think it's a pretty good read.

The author did a decent job of creating an interesting plot and developing the characters.

The story had its moments of excitement and intrigue, which made it worthwhile.

Overall, while it may not be at the top of my list, I would still recommend this novel to others who are looking for an enjoyable read.

It has its flaws, but it also has its strengths, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it for class.

This is an excellent YA novel that offers a unique perspective on a powerful subject. The use of a child narrator makes the story even more immediate and frightening. The 12-year-old protagonist, Anita, is often confused and scared because she doesn't fully understand what's happening around her.

As the story progresses, Anita learns more about the political situation in her country and the impact it has on her family. This newfound knowledge is both emotional and painful. She realizes that dictator Trujillo is hated by many, including her parents.

I've read other novels by this author set in the same time period in the Dominican Republic, but they were all told from an adult's perspective. Reading about political upheavals from a youth's point of view is truly valuable. It shows the shattering of innocence and the hardships that come with trying to balance adolescence with the chaos of the outside world.

I have a personal connection to stories of Latin American people fighting for their freedoms, as it reminds me of my own family's history. I only wish we could have read more about what happened to Anita and her family after they arrived in the US. This book definitely has the potential for a sequel, and I hope Alvarez will write one.

Overall, this is a thought-provoking and engaging novel that I would highly recommend to YA readers.

What does freedom mean? Is it relative?

Anita had always held the belief that she was free. However, her perception changed when she discovered the harsh reality. She was a citizen of a country under a dictatorship, and significant change was on the horizon, a change in which her own father and uncle played a major role. In Alvarez's novel, we witness Anita grappling with the danger and fear instilled by the secret police. As one by one, everyone in her extended family starts to move away, she is left all alone, accompanied only by herself and the premonitions of their maid, Chucha.

From the claustrophobic experience of living in a closet to the desperate act of running away, the author presents a beautifully narrated and thought-provoking story. It delves deep into the true meaning of freedom and the courage that is essential for its pursuit. Through Anita's journey, we are forced to question our own understanding of freedom and the lengths we would go to achieve it.