A Must Read!

This article is an absolute must-read! It contains valuable information that you simply cannot afford to miss.

It offers unique perspectives and insights on various topics, presenting them in a clear and engaging manner.

Whether you are interested in current affairs, technology, or personal development, this article has something for everyone.

The author's writing style is captivating, making it easy for you to immerse yourself in the content.

You will find yourself eagerly turning the pages, eager to discover what lies ahead.

So, don't hesitate! Grab a copy of this article and start reading today.

You won't be disappointed!

For some reason, it took me a really long time to get through this. The story was beautiful, yet it presented a kind of challenge with its back and forth narratives across time. It was like trying to piece together a complex puzzle. The different time periods added an interesting layer to the plot, but it also made it a bit more difficult to follow at times. However, despite the challenge, I found myself drawn in by the beauty of the story. The descriptions were vivid and the characters were well-developed. As I read on, I became more and more invested in their lives and what would happen to them. Overall, it was a rewarding read, even if it did take me a while to fully understand and appreciate all of its nuances.

Beautifully written story!

It is truly a captivating piece that takes the reader on a wonderful journey. The author's use of language is so vivid and descriptive that it brings the story to life. Each word seems to be carefully chosen to create a specific mood and atmosphere.

The characters are well-developed and engaging, making it easy for the reader to become invested in their lives and experiences. The plot is also very interesting, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

Overall, this is a beautifully written story that is a joy to read. It has the power to transport the reader to another world and make them forget about their own troubles for a while. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good story.

4.5 stars!

The writing in this book was truly breathtaking. It had a narrative structure that was extremely unique. Kelli Lyon Johnson's criticism on how it can be characterized as asymptotic is brilliant and definitely makes it worth the read.

I found it highly effective that Camila and Salomé's stories mirrored each other. This narrative style generated an interesting dialogue between two virtually separate characters, especially considering Camila's preoccupation with her mother's legacy.

This novel offered an interesting commentary on the interaction between motherhood and female authorship, specifically its inhibitory effects. However, I wish Alvarez would have delved deeper into this.

My main gripe with the novel was that many of its overtly feminist themes seemed to fade away towards the last third of the book. Notably, I felt the characters became rather flat by the end.

Teaching as a revolutionary act was a running, parallel theme that remained strong throughout, which I really enjoyed.

Overall, it is well worth the read just for Alvarez's writing alone. Her writing is simple in its delivery yet simultaneously gorgeous and powerful. Not to mention, it provides a great opportunity to read a fictionalized (and arguably historiographic/hagiographic) account of an unrecognized feminist historical icon.

I can't believe this book is now out of print!!

While this story is indeed compelling and contains some perceptive commentaries on the social conditions in the Dominican Republic (DR), the main characters simply lack the same level of appeal as those in "The Butterflies". I read the entire book, so it's not completely terrible (after all, I do have the tendency to abandon books). For those who are unfamiliar with Latin American society, especially that of the Caribbean, there is still some valuable information to be learned. However, I just didn't think it was a worthy addition to my AP World History reading list. The story might have had its merits, but it failed to truly engage me on a deeper level. The characters didn't seem to come alive in the same way as those in other more captivating works. Perhaps with some improvements in character development and a more engaging narrative, it could have been a more memorable and worthy read.

I thought that Alvarez did an extremely nice job with her details.

She meticulously followed the revolutions in the Dominican Republic, paralleling them with significant events in Cuba, the US, and Europe.

For this very reason, this book truly deserves a great deal of merit.

Moreover, there were several turns of phrase that I found remarkable and timeless.

Still, I simply can't shake the idea that the style of narration was overly consistent and flat.

Salome Camila, the main character, having so little in terms of possessions, yet showing flagrant personality growth, made for a somewhat redundant latter half of the book.

While the story itself grew and changed in interesting ways, the main narrator remained static.

This left this reader in a tiff over the dichotomy - the whole world around her changing rapidly while she held tight to a static object within herself.

It's a complex and thought-provoking aspect of the book that both intrigues and frustrates at the same time.

In my opinion, this book didn't measure up to "In the Time of the Butterflies", "How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents", and "Yolanda". I adored all of those books.

This one was still decent, yet I didn't relish it to the same extent. It is centered around the life of Salome Uren~a, a Dominican poet who had a profound impact on her country.

It was truly fascinating to learn about her as I had never heard of her prior. The author, Julia Alvarez, alternates each chapter, writing one from the perspective of Salome (the mother) and the other with Camila (Salome's daughter).

I favored the chapters about Salome more. I almost skipped the chapters written in Camila's voice, but I refrained. The book is also somewhat disheartening in certain parts. (Then again, I'm pregnant at the moment and the tiniest things make me cry, lol.)

So, the book is okay. I would simply recommend the others I listed above before suggesting this one to anyone.

Que belleza ❤️❤️❤️

This simple expression "Que belleza" holds a world of meaning. It is a感叹句 that encapsulates the beauty that surrounds us. Beauty can be found in the simplest of things, like a blooming flower in a garden, a breathtaking sunset over the horizon, or a smile on a loved one's face. It has the power to touch our hearts, evoke emotions, and bring us a sense of joy and wonder.

Beauty is not just limited to the physical appearance. It can also be found in the kindness of a stranger, the courage of a child, or the wisdom of an elder. It is in the art that we create, the music that we listen to, and the stories that we tell.

When we take a moment to appreciate the beauty around us, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities. We become more aware of the good in the world and are inspired to create more beauty ourselves. So, let us always keep our eyes open for the beauty that exists in every moment and cherish it with all our hearts. ❤️❤️❤️

This is by far my least favorite book by Julia Alvarez, who is one of my favorite writers.

The characters in this particular book lacked depth and failed to engage me on an emotional level. They seemed rather one-dimensional and didn't have the complexity that I have come to expect from Alvarez's works.

The plot was also not very interesting. It lacked the excitement and twists that would have made it a page-turner. Instead, it felt rather平淡and predictable.

Moreover, the writing seemed uninspired. It didn't have the beautiful prose and vivid descriptions that are characteristic of Alvarez's other books.

In contrast, I highly recommend reading How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents. It is a much better book with more engaging characters, a captivating plot, and beautiful writing.

So, if you're looking for a great book by Julia Alvarez, skip this one and go for How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents instead!

A pensive book, as seen through the lens of a daughter who unfortunately lost a famous mother at a tender age. I have known a few individuals in a similar situation (albeit without the mother being famous). I was truly impressed by how the character in the book seemed so true to life. She had that nebulous and uncertain quality, constantly striving to intertwine her own identity with that of her ungraspable mother.

Ordinarily, I have a penchant for stronger characters, those who are bold and decisive. However, in this particular book, set against the backdrop of revolutions where passion seemed to be pouring out of everyone else's ears, the contrast of this character was both subtle and exquisitely beautiful. It was a refreshing departure from the norm and added a unique layer of depth and complexity to the story.

The author did an excellent job of creating a character who was relatable and engaging, despite her apparent vulnerability. Her journey of self-discovery and coming to terms with her past was both poignant and inspiring. Overall, it was a remarkable read that left a lasting impression on me.

It was a wrong assumption to think that there were answers in the first place, dear. In fact, there are no answers. I find myself in a state of hesitation. I don't even have the slightest clue how to explain this to her. If only I could see her face clearly, perhaps the words would naturally emerge from the silent understanding within my heart. "It is the continuous struggle to create the country we envision that transforms the land beneath our feet into a patria. That's what I learned from my mother." pg. 350

And then I think of my patria willingly forfeiting its independence to once again become a colony. And I ask myself once more, "What is la patria? What is this concept of a country that would cause so many people to sacrifice their lives for its freedom, only to have another group of its people put it back in shackles?" pg. 25

This is the second Julia Alvarez book I have read.

Both were required reading for school. I truly relished reading about Salomé and her remarkable ability to bring about change with the stroke of her pen or pencil.

Her poetry on saving “la patria” was “quoted by schoolchildren, housewives, and revolutionaries throughout the Caribbean” (back cover).

I found this story captivating due to my Cuban heritage. Moreover, I travel extensively throughout the Caribbean, which makes all the places Salomé visited or lived in even more intriguing.

This is a blurb from the back of the book: “Julia Alvarez's extraordinary novel weaves the fascinating life of Salomé with that of her shy, self-effacing daughter Camila, who comes of age in exile and, at the age of sixty-six, leaves the comfortable life in America behind to join Castro's revolution in Cuba.

Spanning more than a century, In the Name of Salome is a powerful exploration of the bonds between mothers and daughters, and of the mysterious forces that inspire us to hope, to act, to heal, and to love.”

I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who has a penchant for historical fiction, and to anyone like me who is only acquainted with our Hispanic heritage through the stories that have been handed down to us.

It offers a rich and engaging narrative that not only educates but also touches the heart.

Whether you are interested in the history of the Caribbean or simply enjoy a well-written story, this novel is sure to satisfy.

Give it a read and discover the captivating world of Salomé and Camila.