This year, I have embarked on a Continental Challenge. The concept is simple yet fascinating: I read one book set in or written by an author from each continent.

My journey begins with South America, and for this leg, I have chosen "In the Time of The Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez. It is a historical fiction that delves into the lives of the Mirabal sisters. These remarkable women were actively involved in the struggle to end the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic between the 1940s and 1960. Tragically, they were brutally murdered by the regime.

To be honest, my knowledge of the Dominican Republic was extremely limited. Beyond knowing its location in South America, I would have struggled to find it accurately on a map. My understanding of South American history mainly revolved around the Voyages of Discovery and the Conquistadors. Therefore, this book provided a captivating insight into a particularly tumultuous period of the country's history and its rich culture.

Apart from the historical aspect, this book is also a poignant exploration of family and the unique bond between sisters. The bond between sisters is a complex and multifaceted relationship, a curious blend of love, jealousy, and admiration. Alvarez masterfully captures this dynamic. Each of the sisters has a distinct personality. There is responsible Patria, with her deep faith; practical Dedé, always fretting; independent and idealistic Minerva, who is the driving force behind everything; and María Teresa, the youngest, kind, loving, and constantly striving to emulate Minerva. The story is told from the perspective of each sister, allowing us to gain a profound understanding of their individual characters. In the end, one is left with a profound impression of four extraordinary women who firmly believed in the freedom of their country and, when faced with the ultimate test, would unwaveringly stand by their sisters, even in the face of certain death.

I truly despise reviewing books that I consider to be merely mediocre. This particular one, I really, really had high hopes for. The plot seemed extremely promising. To be honest, I knew very little about Trujillo's dictatorship in the Dominican Republic, and I believed that by reading this book, I would gain a wealth of knowledge. And indeed, I did learn a great deal. However, I simply wasn't enthralled by the story or the characters.

Nonetheless, it must be noted that this book was based on facts, and that should hold some significance. I also think that in this instance, it was more of a personal issue rather than a flaw in the book itself. It's just like when a boyfriend breaks up with his girlfriend and says, "It's me, not you."

Despite my lack of complete engagement, I did appreciate the book for what it was: an enlightening account of a dark period in Latin American history. I am also grateful that I persevered and completed it, thereby learning more about this particular time frame.

I got distracted again by life. It truly needs to desist from getting in the way in such a manner.

The last book that I read, half on the plane and half in a jet-lagged state, was "In the Time of Butterflies". This poor book received a bit more attention than I would have preferred, as I am rather meticulous with my books. You see, I had a mother of a cold on the plane and sneezed, causing me to wave my hands in the air like a numpty. This, in turn, led to my knocking over my G&T and dousing my lap and my book in an excessive amount of tonic and not enough gin. At least I managed to avoid the two unfortunate women sitting next to me.

Besides the rather wiggly and alcoholic state of the book, I actually liked it. I am often hesitant when there are multiple narrators and they use diaries to describe their life events and such. However, this book balances it beautifully. It has first-person narration, scribbles in personal diaries, as well as third-person observations about the dictatorship of the Dominican Republic under Trujillo, and the story of the 4 Mirabel sisters and their attempts through the Underground, where they were collectively known as the Las Mariposas (the butterflies), to overthrow him.

This post was briefly interrupted by the fact that I tried to shift my weight on my computer chair by leaning on one arm and moving my body. At this stage, all the screws holding the chair to the frame fell out on the left-hand side of the chair, propelling me over the right-hand armrest I was leaning on and landing on my head on the floor. I have now spent 10 minutes finding the appropriate Allen key to screw in all the screws again and am back in business.

Who am I kidding? I am not going to recover this post!

It's a good book, well written, with a nice introduction, albeit fictionally, into the world of dictatorships in Central America.

For more reviews, visit http://rusalkii.blogspot.com.au/

“I believe in the power of stories to change the world.” Julia Alvarez states this in the opening of her note at the conclusion of this captivating, all-encompassing novel.

It is founded on the true account of three sisters who sacrificed their lives as they courageously stood up for their ideals of a better life for themselves, their family, and the people of the Dominican Republic as part of the revolutionary movement against a dictator, Rafael Trujillo. I already had faith in the power of stories, yet this exquisitely written, heart-wrenching, and ultimately uplifting book truly drove home for me just how impactful and crucial well-crafted historical fiction can be.

In alternating narratives that span several decades, the Mirabal sisters - Patria, Minerva, Maria Teresa, and Dede, the fourth sister who survives - come alive on these pages. It was effortless to love them as young girls and witness how they evolved over the years, becoming privy to their individualities as well as their bonds with each other and the men in their lives. This is an engrossing tale of a family in a place and time of political upheaval, about which I knew next to nothing. How these women, in a place and time when such things were not done by women, became involved in a political revolution, as resistors to Trujillo’s regime, smuggling arms and building bombs, depicts the conviction and bravery of the real sisters. This is evident in the meticulous research that Alvarez must have conducted, as numerous articles I read online demonstrated.

It is about family, country, culture, and a revolution. The Mirabal sisters were three among many who were killed under Trujillo’s rule, but they became a symbol of the revolution and the inspiration behind the United Nations declaring November 25th, the day on which they were killed, as “an international day to eliminate all violence against women.” It is a personal story for Alvarez, whose family fled the regime for New York just months before the sisters were murdered. It is a beautifully written, gripping story. I will most definitely read other books by her.

Thanks so very much to Algonquin Books for sending me a copy of this 25th Anniversary edition.

The story of the Mirabal sisters is truly worth knowing. They were brave women who decided to risk everything for their country.

However, I felt that this story had too many pages. It was the same account told by each of the sisters, and suddenly it became very repetitive.

The author could have perhaps condensed the narrative and focused on the most significant events and moments in the sisters' lives. This would have made the story more engaging and less tiresome to read.

Nevertheless, the courage and sacrifice of the Mirabal sisters are still inspiring, and their story serves as a reminder of the power of women and the importance of standing up for what is right.

Despite the flaws in the telling of their story, the Mirabal sisters will always be remembered as heroes and symbols of resistance in the history of their country.

Mirabal sisters, also known as Las Mariposas, were the most significant symbols of resistance against the 31-year-long Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic.

This book vividly depicts their journey, from childhood to the last day of their lives. It shows how they advanced from a wealthy family to the front line of resistance, including their breaking points and the oppression and torture they endured.

The story is based on facts but softened with fiction, making it a captivating read. It's impossible not to be affected by the lives of these sisters who chose to be heroes themselves rather than waiting for a hero from outside to save them.

Although it's not an easy read, I highly recommend that you don't skip it. Even if you have no knowledge about the Trujillo period, you can read it with ease, and in fact, this book will be quite enlightening.

If you like this book, I also recommend reading Oscar Wao's The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (which was the read that brought this book to my mind) and Drown.

This was an excellent read. I had known very little about Trujillo's Dictatorship of horrors and that dark part of the Dominican Republic's history.

Although I know this is Historical Fiction, I have truly enjoyed getting to know Las Mariposas. It makes me feel really bad about the inaction I have been living in. There are so many people out there who give it all for the wellbeing of the community, even sacrificing their lives, while I just live my comfortable little existence and do nothing for others. This has made me feel ashamed.

There was a small part in the book where I thought "do I really need to know about all this little girl's thoughts?" But then later on, when she grows up and goes through hardship, because I knew her, I felt so much worse about her experience. I felt the Mariposas were like my sisters, my cousins, my friends. I'll miss them in the next couple of weeks!

I think this book has not only educated me about a significant historical event but also made me reflect on my own life and actions. It has shown me the importance of standing up for what is right and being more involved in the lives of others. I will definitely recommend this book to my friends and family.

I had extremely high hopes for this particular book. I had mostly come across glowing reviews, and one author whom I had recently read had mentioned Julia Alvarez as an amazing source of inspiration. In the synopsis of the book, I discovered that the story was inspired by real-life sisters who had fought against the Trujillo dictatorship. The very first time I learned about the Trujillo dictatorship was in Junot Diaz's The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. What sticks in my memory the most is how insanely sex-crazy Trujillo was, especially when it came to voluptuous women.

\\"In the Time of the Butterflies\\" has alternating chapters that are narrated by the four Mirabel sisters - Minerva, Patria, Dédé, and Mate. As several reviewers have pointed out, Mate's voice, as expressed through her diary entries when they were imprisoned, was particularly weak. After all, which political prisoner would keep a personal diary in a prison? Through the four voices, we are introduced to a whole plethora of characters. I found it quite challenging to keep up with every single character.

However, what bothered me the most was the meandering nature of the book. As I was reading, I kept wondering why I was being told this particular detail. Perhaps the author intended to emphasize the ordinary lives led by these women in order for us to form an emotional bond, and also to demonstrate that even when living under a dictatorship, the women still retained a sense of humor. Yet, after reading so many pages about their lives and the men they were flirting with, I was gradually growing annoyed. The author never met the surviving Mirabel sister, so almost all of it is truly fiction. So, what exactly makes a good historical fiction?

This is Julia Alvarez's profound exploration of the reign of the Dominican dictator Trujillo and the heroic Mirabal sisters.

The Mirabal sisters made the courageous choice to sacrifice their comfortable lives and form a resistance against Trujillo. I delved deeper into their story by reading about them on Wikipedia and watching a short video about the sister who survived.

Julia Alvarez crafted this narrative from a few known facts, with the background being a product of her imagination, yet still grounded in some truths.

Even so, this story serves as a powerful inspiration to the oppressed and especially women worldwide, urging them to stand up against all kinds of injustices.

I do recommend this work, albeit with some reservations. Until the final chapters, I found the story to be extremely slow-paced, which at times made it a bit of a challenge to stay fully engaged. However, the overall message and the significance of the Mirabal sisters' story cannot be overlooked.

This novel is a beautifully written historical account of the Mirabal sisters. They bravely opposed the tyrannical dictatorship of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo Molina in the Dominican Republic from 1930 to 1961. Julia Alvarez brings their story to life, narrating through the alternating perspectives of the four sisters: Minerva, Dedé, Patria, and Maria Teresa (Mate), known as the butterflies.

I was able to deeply understand each of the sister’s unique personality and motivations. Minerva, perhaps the strongest-willed of the sisters, appears as a passionate and determined woman in the fight against Trujillo. A particularly tense moment in the story occurs when she attends a Discovery Day dance with her father and finds herself seated with one of Trujillo’s men. She dances with Trujillo, and her charm and skilled manipulation allow her to navigate through this tense encounter. Ultimately, she secures her path to the capital to attend university against her father’s wishes. However, Trujillo has the upper hand at the time of her graduation.

The early chapters, while sometimes feeling a bit tedious, are essential in establishing the intricate personalities and backgrounds of these brave women. Alvarez's writing is spectacular and empathetic, painting a vivid picture of life under Trujillo’s brutal regime. The story is not just a historical recount but a deeply emotional journey. Patria, Minerva, and Mate's tragic deaths under Trujillo's rule emphasize the high stakes and brutal reality of their resistance. Yet, through their voices, we witness not only their fear and pain but also their hope, love, and unyielding spirit.

In the Time of the Butterflies is an extraordinary tribute to the Mirabal sisters and a powerful reminder of the resilience and courage needed to stand up against tyranny. Julia Alvarez's poignant prose ensures their legacy will not be forgotten. The Mirabal sister’s story left me feeling moved and inspired.

Trujillo and his heinous actions have always been a dark stain on our history. The memory of that time still lingers, as if it were yesterday. …it was as if we were girls again, walking through the dark part of the yard, a little afraid, a little excited by our fears, anticipating the lighted house just around the bend— That sense of trepidation and anticipation, it was a strange mix of emotions. We were constantly on edge, never knowing what might happen next. Trujillo's rule was one of terror and oppression. His bastardly ways knew no bounds. He seemed to delight in making people suffer. But even in the midst of all that darkness, there was still a glimmer of hope. We held onto that hope, believing that one day, things would change for the better.

A brilliant novelized version of Las Tres Mariposas - the name given to the three sisters who, despite being from a wealthy, landed family, fought bravely to their deaths against Trujillo. I found one of the loveliest insights was how they came to be political in three VERY different ways. One, a traditional mother, became angry about the treatment of children and family. She couldn't bear to see the innocent suffer under the unjust rule. Another fell madly in love with a freedom fighter. This love kindled her passion for the cause and made her determined to fight for a better future. And a third was intrinsically an activist, righteously furious at the inequity and tyranny foisted upon the Dominican Republic by this brutal dictator. She had a natural inclination to stand up for what was right and was not afraid to take on the powerful. The twin daughters of Hope are Anger and Courage. These three sisters, with their different paths to political awakening, became symbols of resistance and inspiration. Their story is a testament to the power of love, anger, and courage in the face of oppression.