This was a good book.

I'm not entirely certain that I liked it to the same extent as some of Julia Alvarez's other works, yet I did like this one.

I must admit, however, that I believe she is a more accomplished writer when using the third-person point of view.

The chapters written from the first-person perspective didn't really seem to flow smoothly for me.

Also,可怜的卡米拉。我有一种感觉，她一生都在渴望自己是正常的，希望自己能够“克服”对女性的吸引力，直到她去世。

I have no clue if that's actually the case, but it was just so sad.

I could go on an entire tirade about it, but I won't.

I'll reserve my rants for bad books.

Overall, despite its flaws, this book still had its merits and I'm glad I read it.

It took me a while to get used to the chronological jumping around in the story. At first, it was a bit confusing, but as I delved deeper, I found it added an interesting layer of mystery and complexity.

Overall, I really enjoyed it. The characters of Salomé and Camila were truly enchanting. Salomé had a certain charm and allure that was captivating, while Camila was sweet and endearing. Their interactions and the relationships they formed were a pleasure to read about.

The story had its share of twists and turns, which kept me on the edge of my seat. I found myself constantly eager to turn the page and see what would happen next. It was a wonderful read that I would highly recommend to others.

Despite the initial difficulty with the chronological jumps, I'm glad I stuck with it. It was a rewarding experience that left me with a lasting impression.

Like the only other book of hers that I've read, !Yo!, this book is constructed in an intriguing yet semi-disorienting style.

No two consecutive chapters are told in the same voice or by the same person. In !Yo! each chapter focused on a different member of a large family, and Alvarez switched between first person and third person tactics.

Here, the chapters alternate ABABAB.... The A chapters tell the chronological story of the 'mother' from childhood through death, while the B chapters tell the reverse-chronological story of the 'daughter' from old age through youth.

Moreover, Alvarez writes some chapters in the voice of a peeved teenager or a small babbling child.

So, it may be a somewhat forced or hokey style, but the result is an interesting situation. You gradually get closer to the moment of mother-daughter merge, where the daughter's birth and her mother's untimely death occur, from two different directions (the future and the past). Neat!

And since the book is all about the daughter's search to live her own life while dealing with the reality of her mother's fame and strong persona, many neat parallels are apparent between the chapters.

It's a really nice story based on the real facts of the lives of these two women. Squarely in the 'giant trans-continental Latin family' genre, with all the associated relations, heartbreaks, overlaps, and dispersions.

I really enjoyed reading this right after Allende's Portrait in Sepia. Isabel Allende is a much better known author, but she and Alvarez write on many of the same themes - womanhood, family, love, heartbreak, etc. etc. Love it!

Definitely recommended if you like stories of family, strong female leads, historical fiction, etc. It's a nice, cozy read.

I became particularly fond of this book near the end.

Salome was engaging from the first. Her charm and charisma immediately captured my attention. She was like a bright star shining in the darkness of the story.

However, it took the full novel to truly develop a feeling and fondness for Camila. At first, she seemed a bit distant and mysterious. But as the story progressed, I began to understand her more deeply.

I saw her struggles, her hopes, and her dreams. I came to appreciate her strength and her vulnerability. By the end of the book, I had grown to love Camila as much as I did Salome.

This book had a profound impact on me, and I will always remember the characters and their stories.

Last night, I read a beautiful book: Julia Alvarez - In the Name of Salomé.

The book is about two women, a mother and a daughter. They really lived: Salomé Ureña and Camila Henríquez Ureña. Salomé was in the middle of the 19th century the 'national poetess' of the Dominican Republic. She marries a man who is not only unfaithful but also becomes president for a short time in a time of ten governments in as many years.

Camila grows up in Cuba, where the exiled president has to flee with his new family (Salomé dies when Camila is 3). Later, she also has to leave Cuba and builds a new life in the US. The book begins when she is 65 (in the 1960s of the previous century) and after her retirement decides to go back to Cuba to work for the revolution of Fidel Castro.

The story is told in a special way: the daughter from the moment she is 65 and then back in time, the mother from the moment she is about 10 and then forward. The chapters about mother and daughter alternate. Beautiful composition...

The sisterhood of the Caribbean region: in both the political and the sexual sphere: the passivity of the woman, infidelity, unacceptable homosexuality, endless numbers of pregnancies (and miscarriages) are beautifully described.

One small drawback for the non-'hispanohablantes' (Spanish speakers): there are quite a few Spanish expressions in the book, untranslated (also no translation at the back). That's a pity because then you sometimes can't understand the title of a chapter well if you don't speak Spanish.

This is the third Julia Alvarez book that I've read. So, I knew coming into this that, if anything, I am familiar with and can get through her writing style.

The narration alternated between Camila and Salome, and the timeline went in opposite directions. Regarding Salome's storyline, I would have liked to have seen more of her life as a revolutionary poet. The reader knows that Salome's poetry have caused a stir and that she is revered by her fellow people. However, we're not given glimpses into the specific effects her poetry have caused or how her poetry has specifically affected certain people. We're told she was the national poet, but not given too much context outside of that.

As for Camila's storyline, the love stories between her former lovers weren't fully fledged out. We know Camila doesn't end up with them and that things didn't work out, but we're not given an insight as to how that journey went. I understand that her story is more than just her former partners, but her failed relationship with others is such a constant theme throughout her story. Had they been fully exposed, it would have added more depth to her story line.

I enjoyed reading the story, but it wasn't as political as her other work. I kept comparing it to In the Time of the Butterflies, and maybe that's why I was a little disappointed.

I so loved this book.

It was truly a remarkable piece of literature that captivated my attention from the very first page. The story was engaging and filled with interesting characters and plot twists that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The author's writing style was also very unique and descriptive, which made it easy for me to imagine the scenes and settings in my mind.

I found myself completely immersed in the world of the book and didn't want it to end.

Even after finishing it, I couldn't stop thinking about the story and the characters.

This book has definitely become one of my all-time favorites and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read.

Not great, but I did like the poetry.

Poetry has a unique charm that can touch the heart and soul. Although this particular piece may not have been outstanding in every aspect, there were still elements that appealed to me.

The words seemed to flow in a certain rhythm, creating a musical quality that was quite pleasant to the ear.

Moreover, the imagery used in the poetry was vivid and engaging, allowing me to picture the scenes and emotions described.

Even though it might not have reached the highest levels of greatness, it still managed to evoke a response within me.

Perhaps it was the simplicity of the language or the sincerity of the emotions expressed.

Whatever the reason, I found myself drawn to the poetry and enjoying it for what it was.

It served as a reminder that even in the ordinary, there can be moments of beauty and inspiration.

Overall, while it may not have been a masterpiece, it still had its own merits and I was glad to have experienced it.

A well-written account about a mother and daughter and their influence in the Dominican Republic and Cuba is truly captivating. The story likely delves into the unique experiences and contributions of these two individuals in their respective countries. It might explore how the mother, with her wisdom and determination, has made a lasting impact on the Dominican Republic. Perhaps she has been involved in community development, education, or social justice initiatives.

Meanwhile, the daughter, influenced by her mother's example, may have carried on the family's legacy in Cuba. She could be making waves in the fields of art, science, or politics, bringing about positive change and inspiring others along the way. The account might also touch upon the challenges they have faced and overcome, as well as the lessons they have learned. Overall, this is a story that is not only interesting but also inspiring, and I wholeheartedly recommend it!

Some parts of the work were truly excellent,展现出了高超的技艺和独特的魅力。

However, there were also some parts, specifically the letters, that were rather tedious. They seemed to lack the energy and excitement that the other parts had.

Perhaps it was due to the nature of the content or the way it was presented.

Nonetheless, it is important to note that even in the midst of the tedious parts, there were still glimmers of potential.

With some refinement and a fresh perspective, these areas could potentially be transformed into something more engaging and captivating.

Overall, while the work had its highs and lows, it still held promise and showed the author's ability to create something of value.

It will be interesting to see how the author develops and improves upon this work in the future.

This is my second favorite book from one of my favorite writers.

I have a deep affection for the concept she employs in presenting the mother and the daughter. She skillfully weaves their individual stories, moving forward and backward until they eventually meet.

Just like the book of hers that completely amazed me, "In the Time of the Butterflies," this one also delves into history. However, it manages to keep the characters fresh, vivid, and realistic.

It explores a difficult period in the Dominican Republic and features strong women who bravely stood up for what they believed in. All these themes have the power to stir my emotions, haha.

Overall, this book is extremely well done and highly enjoyable. It offers a captivating read that combines historical depth with engaging characters and thought-provoking themes.

I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good story that not only entertains but also makes you think and feel.

Tedious!

This single word sums up the feeling that often plagues us in certain situations. Whether it's a long and repetitive task at work, a dull lecture in class, or a never-ending wait in line, tedium can make time seem to crawl.

The experience of tedium can be both mentally and physically draining. It can sap our energy and enthusiasm, leaving us feeling listless and unmotivated. We may find ourselves daydreaming or constantly checking the clock, hoping for some relief from the monotony.

However, it's important to remember that tedium is a part of life. We can't always expect excitement and stimulation. In fact, learning to tolerate and even find meaning in the mundane can be a valuable life skill.

We can try to break up the tedium by adding variety to our tasks or finding ways to make them more interesting. We can also use the time to practice mindfulness and focus on the present moment, rather than getting caught up in our boredom.

So the next time you find yourself feeling tedious, take a deep breath and try to approach the situation with a positive attitude. You might be surprised at what you can accomplish, even in the midst of the dullest of circumstances.