After reading In the Time of the Butterflies, Julia Alvarez became one of my favorite writers. And when I love an author, I have an intense desire to read every work by that person. In the Name of Salome did not disappoint me at all. The characters in this book, who are living in the Dominican Republic, are extremely endearing and fascinating. They go through political upheaval, which has a profound impact on their own lives as well as the lives of their loved ones. The conflict experienced by the first generation of the family also has a significant influence on the second generation as they gradually realize their own destiny. The story especially focuses on how the experience of a talented and famous mother affects her daughter. Camila Salome endures her grief for her mother and her country, which makes the readers deeply empathize with her.

Offering an in-depth and historic interpretation of a highly beloved Dominican poetess, this is truly a remarkable and wonderful novel. I have a great appreciation for the way it skillfully weaves a captivating story between two heroines, Salome Urena and her daughter Camila. Salome Urena is the national poetess of the Dominican Republic, which adds an extra layer of significance to the narrative. The story line is intricately crafted from both of their lives and lifestories. Salome's tale is told from her childhood all the way through her death, providing a comprehensive view of her journey. On the other hand, Camila's story is presented in reverse, starting from her old age and going back to her early childhood. This unique narrative structure creates a sense of mystery and intrigue. Since Salome, the mother, passed away when Camila was very young, the end of the story beautifully brings them together. It is a powerful and moving conclusion that leaves a lasting impression. This novel lends itself to multiple readings as there are many hidden details and themes that can be discovered with each subsequent read. For some, the first reading may be a bit confusing, but it is well worth any initial frustrations. I have had my students read this novel for the past two years, and I have found that many of them have selected it as their favorite novel in class. So, I highly encourage you to give it a try!

It is a lovely take.

However, in my opinion (IMO), it is not as good as her other novels such as "In The Time of Butterflies" or "How The Garcia Girls Lost Their Accent".

These two novels are widely regarded as masterpieces in the literary world. "In The Time of Butterflies" tells a powerful story about the Mirabal sisters and their fight against a dictatorship. It is a captivating and moving account that explores themes of courage, sacrifice, and sisterhood.

"How The Garcia Girls Lost Their Accent" is also a remarkable work. It follows the lives of four sisters who immigrate to the United States and struggle to adapt to a new culture while still maintaining their connection to their Dominican roots. The novel is filled with rich characters and vivid descriptions that bring the story to life.

While the current take is nice, it simply does not measure up to the brilliance and depth of these other two novels.

IN THE NAME OF SALOME, BY JULIA ALVAREZ
: Jeff KEITH COMMENTS, AUGUST 2020
[four stars]

This historical novel vividly portrays the life of a middle-class Dominican family that truly existed. It spans from the 1850s to the 1960s and 70s, offering a detailed account of their journey. In an accompanying note, the author reveals that she discovered precious family diaries and letters, which she supplemented with her own imagination to fill in the gaps.

The mother, Salomé Ureña, was a prominent early Dominican poet. Her daughter, Camila Henríquez Ureña, led a complex life as the family relocated from one country to another due to changing social and political conditions. The nineteenth-century chapters are told in the first person, from Salomé's perspective, while the twentieth-century chapters are in the third person, following Camila's life. Interestingly, the Camila chapters are presented in reverse chronological order, as if an older woman is reminiscing as she prepares to retire from her position as a college professor.

In the nineteenth century, Salomé marries a younger man named Francisco or Pancho. They start a family when she is in her 30s and he is in his 20s. Soon, they have three sons, and Pancho secures a scholarship to study medicine in France for several years. Salomé remains in Santo Domingo and manages a progressive school for girls. After Pancho returns, middle-aged Salomé gives birth to a baby girl, despite suffering from tuberculosis.

In the twentieth century, Salomé passes away a few years later. The family moves to another country due to political unrest, and Pancho remarries, having a second family of three sons. As a result, Camila is the only daughter, with six brothers of varying ages. There is a helpful page of notes about the family at the beginning, which informed me that these individuals were indeed real and significant figures in Dominican history.

This is an amazing novel from 2000.

It covers a hundred years of a family whose history encompasses a wide range of issues. These include exile, as family members are forced to leave their homeland. Revolution plays a significant role, as the family experiences the upheavals and changes brought about by political movements. Politics is also a central theme, with the family's命运 intertwined with the political events of the time.

Racism is another aspect explored, as the family faces discrimination and prejudice in different parts of the world. Gender issues are addressed, highlighting the challenges and inequalities that women in the family encounter. The novel also delves into the Caribbean,描绘 the rich culture and history of the region. Immigration in the USA is an important part of the story, as the family migrates to the US in search of a better life.

Finally, poetry is incorporated into the narrative, adding a layer of beauty and depth to the story. The structure of the novel is innovative, keeping the reader engaged from beginning to end. It is never dull, but rather thrilling, thrilling, thrilling.

4.5⭐️

I have truly enjoyed delving deeper into the life of a historical figure who has been omnipresent in my upbringing. Everywhere I looked, her image seemed to be there, yet I knew very little about her story. It is quite remarkable how this fictionalized account has filled in the gaps and provided me with a new perspective.

Although the story may be fictionalized, it still manages to capture the essence and spirit of the historical figure. It has allowed me to imagine what her life might have been like, the challenges she faced, and the impact she had on the world around her.

Learning about her has been a fascinating journey, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have gained a better understanding of someone who has had such a significant presence in my life. I look forward to exploring more about her and other historical figures in the future.

The biggest takeaway from this book for me was an increased curiosity about learning more regarding the history of the area and about the real Salome. I must admit that I didn't realize she was a real person until nearly the end. Otherwise, the characters and the storyline felt somewhat flat. I couldn't quite understand, based on the snippets we got, why she had the following that she did. Camila's character was rather boring, and that narrative seemed unnecessary. It would have been better if the entire story was from Salome's perspective. Having one storyline move forward while the other went back was really confusing. I think I would have had more of an emotional connection with Camila if I hadn't known how things ended up from the start and then later found out who she was talking about. I wonder if the author did this because, from listening to a talk by her, it seems like she learned about her as an adult and then discovered her childhood and past through marrying her younger brother.

Overall, I truly appreciate the highlighting of the US influence, the impact of political unrest, the examination of race, and the vivid descriptions of how pervasive political unrest can be in everyday life, such as a family lifting a child up to see which government has now taken over and how that determines how much you see your family, the constant moving, and the idea of home and country.

Julia Alvarez definitely points out that people from the US often don't know or pay attention to poets in smaller countries unless a movie is made about them. So, I definitely appreciate her writing this book, which allowed me to educate myself. However, I just felt that we were more told that these ladies were great rather than experiencing it through their actions, words, and the way they were written.

Maybe if we had a whole poem by Salome instead of just two lines that didn't sound so awe-inspiring without more context?

I couldn't really get into it.

Perhaps it was due to the life circumstances I was in at that time, or maybe it was simply that the characters didn't have the same captivating effect on me as they did in her other novels that I've read, both in English and Spanish.

I had high expectations, having been so enthralled by her previous works. But this one just didn't seem to click.

The story felt a bit flat, and I struggled to connect with the characters on a deeper level.

Maybe I'll give it another try at a different time, when my mindset is more open and receptive.

But for now, I have to admit that it didn't quite live up to my hopes.

I found it truly fascinating that Alvarez made the choice to employ the first person for the nineteenth-century character and the third person for the contemporary character.

Each chapter alternates between these two voices, creating a unique rhythm and perspective.

The time lines move in opposite directions until the very end, adding an element of mystery and anticipation.

This is quite a writing challenge, but Alvarez manages to bring it off with great skill.

Moreover, I learned a significant amount about the interconnected histories of Haiti, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic.

What's remarkable is that it never feels didactic or forced.

I was rather surprised to find that I felt more sympathetic towards the mother as a character than the daughter.

This might potentially be the effect of the first-person narrative, which allows for a deeper exploration of the mother's thoughts and emotions.

Overall, Alvarez's writing style and the structure of the story make for a captivating and engaging read.

I'm finally done with this book! It didn't take that long to read, but it felt like forever, because I really want to give my attention to Called Out of Darkness. Randy told me to read this because he is teaching it, so Randy if you have some insights, I 'd love to hear them.

The book alternates between the stories of two women. One is a mother, the national poet of the Dominican Republic (that's the title I give her), and the other is her daughter who never knew her mother except through legends, letters, and her mother's poetry. Mom, Salome, died when daughter, Camila, was 3. Salome's life was heartbreaking, I thought, mainly because her husband was a cad and more in love with causes than he ever was with her.

Camila's life was harder to pin down. The chapters about her life seemed like glimpses, tantalizing ones, but then you'd just get into her story and it would be back to Salome's story again. Another thing about Camila is that the book starts at the end of her life and works backward. For Salome's life, it is simply working from her childhood to her adulthood and finally her death.

I don't know why I felt restless and unsatisfied through the whole book. Was I supposed to feel that way because that's how both Camila and her mother felt? Camila because she is in her mother's shadow, chasing it, trying to make her life feel as big and as earth-shaking as she imagines her mother's was? The truth is that Salome was just as unsatisfied. She gave up her poetry to teach a school for girls and to raise her children, and ultimately she never had the love she needed from her husband. Wow. The more I write about this, the more depressed I feel.

I really liked the structure that the writer chose for this book, which achieved an excellent parallelism between the life of Salomé Ureña and Salomé Camila.

However, what I didn't like at all is the poor editing of this book. I imagine that the translator did her job, but the editor didn't, since it is full of grammatical and spelling errors from beginning to end. Finding this spoils the reading experience of a work about two exceptional women.

A wake-up call for Vintage in Spanish of Random House. They should pay more attention to the editing process to ensure that such wonderful works are presented to readers in a flawless manner. This will not only enhance the reading experience but also do justice to the remarkable lives and stories of the women it portrays.

Set in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and the U.S., this novel takes readers on a captivating journey that delves deep into the mother/daughter experience within patriarchal cultures.

It vividly描绘s the complex dynamics and challenges that母女 face in these societies where traditional gender roles often limit their opportunities and freedoms.

The story also explores the profound question of what country means. It shows how the concept of nationality is not just a matter of geography but is intertwined with personal identity, cultural heritage, and a sense of belonging.

As the characters navigate through different countries and cultures, they grapple with the differences and similarities, and come to a better understanding of themselves and their place in the world.

This novel is a powerful exploration of family, culture, and identity that will resonate with readers from all walks of life.