Before We Were Free, a realistic fiction story penned by Julia Alvarez, was a decent read, yet not without its flaws. Alvarez, who is now 67 years old and resides in New York City, has also authored other notable works such as In the Time of the Butterflies and How Tía Lola Came to Visit Stay.

The plot centers around a young girl named Anita De La Torres, who lives in the Dominican Republic during the early 1960s. The dictator Rafael Trujillo, known as El Jefe, serves as the main antagonist in the story, despite having minimal dialogue throughout the book.

One of the strengths of this book is that it is told from the perspective of a twelve-year-old girl, which offers a unique and refreshing take on the events. However, a weakness lies in the fact that the story sometimes feels two-dimensional, lacking in depth and complexity.

Overall, I did enjoy this book, but it did not quite measure up to some of the other books I have read recently. It had its moments of charm and interest, but it failed to fully engage me on a deeper level.

Interesting historical fiction is a genre that has the power to transport readers to different eras and cultures. It can be both powerful and touching, although at times it may seem a bit juvenile. However, this does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the story. I, for one, absolutely loved the Spanish culture that was woven throughout the narrative. It added a rich and vibrant layer to the story, making it come alive in my imagination. The descriptions of the food, the music, the architecture, and the traditions were all so vivid that I felt as if I was actually there. It was a wonderful experience to learn about a new culture while also being entertained by a great story. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or is interested in learning more about Spanish culture.

Before We Were Free provided me with a profound sense of what it was like to grow up in the Dominican Republic during the 1960s.

In the novel, Anita de la Torre is a young girl maturing in a country under dictatorship. Initially, Anita admired their leader, known as "el Jefe." However, as she becomes more aware of the harsh reality of her country, she realizes that her safety is no longer guaranteed.

What I found appealing about this book is its historical perspective on significant movements like the butterfly movement. Despite being a coming-of-age story, the reader can observe that Anita is striving to maintain her innocence. Yet, the sacrifices she has to make make it extremely challenging.

The sacrifices Anita endures are truly heartbreaking. Not only does she lose the people she loves, such as her father, but she also has to leave the country she adores. Anita's father imparts the central message of the book when he tells her, "I want my children to be free no matter what. Promise me you'll spread your wings and fly."

This book evoked every emotion within me. I wholeheartedly recommend it to others.

Before We Were Free is a captivating realistic fiction novel that delves into the life of a maturing girl in the Dominican Republic under the harsh rule of Rafael Trujillo, also known as El Jefe. The author, Julia Alvarez, presents the story from the perspective of a naïve girl named Anita, which adds a unique and creative touch. The reader is often left pondering what is true and why certain events occur. Alvarez ties the book to her own childhood experiences growing up in the Dominican Republic during this difficult period. The plot involves the family's connection to the resistance against El Jefe, based on her family's real-life involvement. The author skillfully weaves together the lives of the children with the actions of the parents and Trujillo.

The writing in the book is thought-provoking, and the constant threat of the SIM, the Dominican secret police, adds significant tension. Throughout the story, the idea that the SIM is constantly watching Anita's family keeps the reader on edge. For example, when the SIM searches the family's compound and plants listening devices, Anita gradually becomes aware of the situation. The family has to be extremely cautious in their actions and words, which adds an element of mystery and intrigue. Another instance of increasing tension is when a maid, Lorena, is suspected of being a spy for the SIM. Alvarez leaves it up to the reader to decide whether she is truly a spy or not, further enhancing the suspense.

While the book is engaging, there are some parts that Alvarez could have shortened. At times, the story seems to drag, but the simple vocabulary makes it easy to read through these sections. Overall, Before We Were Free is a fascinating and emotionally charged story that has strong connections to The Diary of Anne Frank. It kept me thinking and eager to discuss with others. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick, yet thought-provoking read.

This book truly had a profound impact on me from the very start. The reason being the improper handling of the characters by those who were in control of their lives.

It is set in the Dominican Republic during the era of dictatorship. The story revolves around a family that is involved in an uprising to overthrow "El Jefe" after more than 31 years of his rule.

The way the author描绘s the family's struggles and their determination to fight for a better future is both captivating and heart-wrenching.

I highly recommend this historical fiction book to anyone who has a passion for delving into the personal account of an individual as they endure the most harrowing period of their lives.

It offers a unique perspective on a significant historical event and allows readers to empathize with the characters and their experiences.

Overall, it is a must-read for anyone interested in history, human nature, and the power of the human spirit.

This slim, semi-autobiographical work by Alvarez, titled "In the Time of the Butterflies," doesn't explicitly market itself as a book for ages 12 and up.

I'm truly glad it didn't, for if it had, I might very well not have picked it up.

The story is set in the early 1960s and it vividly tells the tale of a 12-year-old Dominican girl. Her family finds themselves deeply involved in the resistance against the brutally oppressive Trujillo regime.

This is a truly wonderful book. Parts of it are written in the engaging form of a diary. It manages to maintain an Anne Frank-type balance. On one hand, there is the narrator's political awakening, as she becomes aware of the unjust situation around her. On the other hand, there are the more personal concerns that any girl going through puberty experiences.

Highly recommended, this book is a must-read no matter what one's age may be. It offers a unique and captivating perspective on a significant historical period while also delving into the universal experiences of a young girl.

I truly liked this book.

I firmly believe that it presents an interesting approach to involve young adults and young girls in the realm of world politics.

Growing up in the United States, it is frequently challenging for us to fathom the lifestyles and circumstances of people living under dictatorships.

The protagonist of this coming-of-age novel is a young girl named Anita.

She undergoes all the excitement and mystery of childhood, along with the confusion and fear of growing up.

This is intermingled with the confusion she experiences as she learns about her government through her dissident parents in the 1960s Dominican Republic.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book for young adult girls. It offers a unique perspective and helps them gain a better understanding of different political situations and their impact on people's lives.

It can also inspire them to think critically about the world around them and become more informed citizens.

Finished in one day!

This book is truly a page turner and a tear jerker. From the very first page, it grabs your attention and doesn't let go until the very end.

The story is filled with emotions that will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between. The characters are so well-developed that you feel like you know them personally.

You'll find yourself rooting for them, hoping they succeed, and feeling their pain when things don't go their way.

This is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story that will touch their heart and leave them with a sense of fulfillment.

Don't miss out on this amazing book. Grab a copy today and prepare to be swept away.

Dios mío, this book is truly sad. I had no idea what to expect, but it turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

This book reminds me of The Book Thief, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, and Number the Stars. However, it covers a different period of history, and for this reason, I am grateful. Yes, the stories of the Holocaust are of utmost importance, but there are many more stories of other dictatorships that do not receive the same level of attention.

Before reading this, I knew nothing about the reign of Trujillo in the Dominican Republic. We don't learn about the history of the Caribbean or Latin America in American schools (a little in Spanish classes, but not in history classes).

The writing is perfect. The narrative voice is completely consistent throughout, and the extracts from her diary are a creative way to demonstrate the censorship of this period and also the growth of Anita.

I really liked it, and I know that I will often think about this book. It has opened my eyes to a part of history that I was previously unaware of, and I am eager to learn more.

Before We Were Free is a captivating middle grade novel that transports readers back to the Dominican Republic in the 1950s.

It presents the Trujillo dictatorship through the eyes of an innocent child, who witnesses family members either fleeing the country or going into hiding due to their opposition to the government and fear of backlash.

Alvarez masterfully combines the innocence of a child growing up with the harsh brutality of dictatorship politics. This contrast highlights the strain it places on the family, torn between preserving normalcy for the children and the temptation to shock them into submission for their safety.

The result is a stark and powerful portrayal that effectively communicates the reality of that time and place. Readers not only gain an academic understanding of the history but also empathize with the emotional toll endured by the real-life characters who inspired the author's fiction.

I read this book as part of #caribathon and wholeheartedly recommend it, along with other works by Julia Alvarez, for those eager to learn about the history of this fascinating Caribbean nation.

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It was good.

However, since I was reading it with my class, it was kind of meh.

This is because we had to skip some parts.

When reading alone, one can fully immerse oneself in the story and explore every detail.

But in a classroom setting, there are time constraints and the need to follow a curriculum.

As a result, some interesting and perhaps crucial parts of the text had to be left out.

This made the reading experience a bit less satisfying.

Nevertheless, it was still beneficial to read with the class as it allowed for discussions and different perspectives.

Overall, while the experience had its drawbacks, it also had its advantages.