For graduate school, I delved into a novel that took me by surprise. I had no idea that the Dominican Republic had a dictator until the 1960s. This captivating story weaves in the downfall of the dictator, with the experiences of a particular character's family having a direct influence on the events.

On one hand, it was kind of fun to follow the twists and turns of the plot, to see how the family interacted with the changing political landscape. The author did a great job of creating a vivid and engaging world.

However, on the other hand, it was also quite sad. The novel shed light on the hardships and sacrifices that the people of the Dominican Republic had to endure during that time. It made me realize the importance of understanding history and the impact that political events can have on individuals and families. Overall, it was a thought-provoking read that left a lasting impression on me.

Julia Alvarez's book Before We Were Free vividly portrays the arduous times that its characters endured decades ago under the rule of Rafael Trujillo.

As a middle school student residing in Seoul, Korea, I initially struggled to identify with the Latin American setting and time period. Nevertheless, despite my lack of a direct connection with the characters, I had no difficulty discerning the changes that occurred within them throughout the story. Alvarez's theme is palpable in the narrative. Amidst the hardships of dictatorship, Anita, the protagonist, unfailingly clings to a glimmer of hope and persists through living in a closet and coping with the loss of her father.

The book maintained my interest as the plot steadily built suspense, although I was able to anticipate many of the events before they transpired. For instance, the death of Anita's father was highly foreseeable based on the foreshadowing provided by Alvarez. Numerous clues, such as Chucha telling Anita that her father wouldn't spread his wings and fly immediately, led me to suspect that he would either be captured or killed.

Prior to reading this book, I had no conception of what it was like to live under a dictatorship. However, after delving into the hardships faced by a girl around my age, I believe I have gained a modicum of understanding about what she had to endure. I would wholeheartedly recommend Alvarez's book to anyone seeking to view the world from a new perspective.

Amber Wortz
Multicultural

"Before We Were Free," by Julia Alvarez, is a captivating work of fiction that delves into the lives of a family residing in the Dominican Republic during the 1950s and 1960s under the tyrannical rule of dictator Rafael Trujillo. The protagonist, Anita, narrates her tale in the first person, offering a poignant account of her family's struggle to overcome the dictator and the harrowing experience of living in constant fear of the government shattering their home and family.

This book is truly remarkable. The author, having personal experience with this subject matter as part of a family that managed to flee to the US while her cousins remained in the DR during Trujillo's reign, brings authenticity to the story. It compels the reader to witness Anita's transformation from an innocent child to a teenager who is forced to mature at an alarming rate in order to assist her family in surviving. Although there are moments of humor, the book is predominantly filled with love, fear, and suspense. It is a heart-wrenching read that is undeniably worth the time and effort!

Sometimes, it truly requires delving into a book to gain knowledge about the events that have transpired in the world.

Prior to reading "Before We Were Free" by @writerjalvarez, I was completely unaware of all the happenings during the dictatorship in the Dominican Republic.

All those atrocities were unbeknownst to me. It was only through a reading challenge that I was prompted to pick up this book, which I ended up truly loving.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone. It offers a unique perspective of the dictatorship as seen through the eyes of an adolescent.

It is a great read that not only educates but also engages the reader on an emotional level.

By reading this book, one can gain a deeper understanding of the struggles and sacrifices that people endured during that difficult period in history.

It serves as a reminder of the importance of freedom and the need to fight for it.

So, if you are looking for a thought-provoking and engaging read, I highly suggest giving "Before We Were Free" a try.

You won't be disappointed.

Before We Were Free is a captivating historical fiction penned by Julia Alvarez. This remarkable book engages readers on a deeper level, making them think critically through its implied messages and rich historical background. It is narrated from the perspective of an 11-year-old girl, Anita, whose outlook gradually transforms as she matures and endures tragic circumstances that are far beyond the norm for most children. The story is firmly rooted in the history of the Dominican Republic, specifically how Rafael Trujillo ruled the country with his autocratic and ruthless power for over 31 years. The author draws from her own experiences in the Dominican Republic, having been born in New York City but spending time there under Trujillo's dictatorship before escaping to Vermont.

Before We Were Free captivates readers with its suggestive hints, evoking sympathy and imparting moral lessons. The book is filled with numerous implied messages that pique curiosity and keep readers on the edge of their seats, wondering what will happen next. For example, when Anita's family faces adversities as Papi and Uncle Toni oppose Trujillo's power, Anita's statement about Chucha's dream reveals the order in which her family members might flee to the United States, leaving readers to wonder about the fate of her father. One of the greatest strengths of this book is its ability to truly convey its message to the readers. Presented from the perspective of an 11-year-old girl, it allows readers to empathize with Anita and understand her emotions, as if they were in her shoes. The power to make readers sympathize with the content is, in my opinion, its most significant asset.

Another aspect that I value in Before We Were Free is the important life lessons it imparts. Throughout the book, Alvarez's intention to揭示 the lives of the people in the Dominican Republic becomes clear. When Papi sacrifices himself for his family and the nation, it makes me realize the profound meaning of being a father. Additionally, comparing this book to Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers, both works describe the process of the main characters coming to terms with reality. In Before We Were Free, Anita initially views Rafael Trujillo with respect, but as she grows older, she discovers his true nature as a brutal dictator. Similarly, in Yellow Birds, Bartle's perception of the Iraq War changes after witnessing the reality on the ground. Overall, Before We Were Free is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. It not only provides a fascinating story but also offers valuable insights into history and life.

**3.7**

I read this book for the NPL book club, which has a focus on reading books that are set in various parts of the world. It was an easy and short read that I accomplished through both the ebook and audiobook formats. I have a great enjoyment for historical fiction. In my opinion, a well-crafted story is the most preferable way for me to learn about the events that have shaped the world and our present existence. The characters in this book were likeable. However, I would have really relished more character development when it came to Chucha. Overall, it was a good story that managed to demonstrate some of the aspects of life under a dictatorship. It provided an interesting glimpse into a different time and place, and made me think about how much our world has changed and yet how some things remain the same. I would recommend this book to others who are interested in historical fiction and learning about different cultures and experiences.

I listened to "Before We Were Free" which was read by Julia Alvarez, the author herself.

Her voice was truly captivating, with accents and Spanish words pronounced flawlessly as they should be. However, I found myself constantly wanting to go back and re-read different parts of the story. I think the reason for this was the characters.

I didn't know much about the Dominican Republic and the dictatorship of its government during the middle of the 20th century. This book served as a great way for me to learn some history.

Reading historical fiction to my first grade class is an excellent way to introduce my students to historical events. Most of the time, both for myself and my students, we tend to connect with ordinary people and their lives, and the stories told from a personal perspective.

This book would be a great way to introduce junior high students to some of the issues that many countries have faced when dealing with a dictator in government.

I believe that as Americans, we often struggle to understand how people live in a government without the freedom that we enjoy. It is important for us to learn about different historical periods and the experiences of others to gain a better understanding of the world around us.

This was a book that we were assigned to read for school. However, initially, I had chosen another story to read instead. But after one of my friends read this book and highly recommended it to me, I decided to take the liberty and read it myself.

I am not typically a big reader of historical fiction. In fact, I usually tend to gravitate towards other genres. But to my surprise, as I delved into this book, I found myself enjoying the story to a certain extent. It wasn't my absolute favorite book of all time, but it did offer a nice change from what I normally find myself reading.

This departure from my usual reading preferences was quite refreshing. It allowed me to explore a different world and gain new perspectives. Although it may not have been a five-star read for me, I still enjoyed this book nonetheless. It served as a reminder that sometimes stepping out of our comfort zones and trying new things can lead to pleasant surprises.

I really wanted to deduct a star or two from this book for several reasons. However, I simply couldn't bring myself to do that. This book truly merits every single one of its five stars.

The story centers around a girl whose country was under the so-called "bloody rule" (as the author put it) of a dictator. In fact, some individuals elected to remain and safeguard their country, while others were extremely terrified and opted to depart.

Anita de la Torre's family, on the other hand, refused to go anywhere. They stayed put and pursued freedom within their country, even if it entailed extremely significant sacrifices.

It was both sorrowful and captivating simultaneously to follow Anita's story and observe how she endured all of this cruelty and unfairness as a twelve-year-old child.

The author has done an excellent job of描绘 this harrowing yet inspiring tale, making it a must-read for anyone interested in history, courage, and the human spirit.

Oh my,

This was truly a heart wrenching story. It is especially poignant when one realizes that it is based on true events. I could empathize with every emotion Anita was experiencing. As a young teen, she was trying to navigate through life, yet had to face the devastation that her parents were attempting to hide from her. It must have been incredibly difficult for her to be caught in that limbo of wanting to know the truth but not really understanding any of it. The story was told in such a wonderful and concise manner that it managed to tug at the heartstrings in a very short amount of time. It was a quick read, but one that left a lasting impression.

Overall, it was a powerful and moving story that made me reflect on the complex emotions and experiences that young people can go through. It serves as a reminder that we should always be sensitive to the feelings of those around us, especially when they are going through difficult times.

The MA Center for the Book's June challenge is to read a book that is set in a country you've never been to.

For me, that country is La República Dominicana. It's not my favorite place, but I do love the connection it creates between two particular works: Butterflies and Garcia Girls.

This challenge offers a unique opportunity to explore different cultures and perspectives through the pages of a book. By reading about a place I've never visited, I can expand my knowledge and understanding of the world.

It also allows me to discover new authors and stories that I might not have otherwise come across.

I'm excited to take on this challenge and see where it leads me. Maybe I'll fall in love with La República Dominicana and its literature, or maybe I'll be inspired to visit the country one day.

Either way, I know that this reading experience will be both enriching and rewarding.

Reading Challenge 2022: Read a Historical Fiction Book

I firmly believe that a great number of readers are capable of discerning the distinct parallels that exist between Alvarez's novel and Anne Frank's real-life experiences. In this particular manner, Alvarez's work delves into the fears that I closely associate with the situation where one's liberties are restricted by an overly powerful government.

Once more, similar to Anne Frank's diary, Alvarez manages to capture the intense pressures that a young girl endures while coming of age under extremely impressive duress. It is truly remarkable how she portrays these aspects. This book was an absolutely exhilarating read! It kept me on the edge of my seat, completely engrossed in the story and the emotions of the characters. I highly recommend it to all those who have a passion for historical fiction and are interested in exploring the human spirit in the face of adversity.