I have an unwavering love for Julie Alvarez! The way she develops her characters is simply outstanding. You become so invested in them that you can't help but wonder what lies ahead for them, and when the story finally does end, you find yourself reluctant to part ways.

Debbis Lee Wesselman's review truly captures the essence of Alvarez's work. The deeply imaginative portrayal of the Dominican poet Salome Urena and her daughter Camila is remarkable. It showcases the real people behind the revolutions in the Dominican Republic and Cuba, without idealizing them or reducing them to mere mouthpieces for political dogma. As Salome's words to her young husband when he criticizes her for writing a non-revolutionary poem, "I am a woman as well as a poet," highlight, Alvarez successfully merges the public and private aspects of her characters, giving the book a genuine heart.

This novel covers a vast time period of over a hundred years, from the 1850s (the start of Salome's story) to the 1970s (the conclusion of Camila's story). The non-chronological and interspersed nature of the two stories can sometimes make the time and place a bit confusing, despite the chapter headings intended to guide the reader. However, don't let this minor flaw deter you. The story is well worth overlooking this imperfection. My advice is to simply surrender to Alvarez's skill and let her take you on the journey she has crafted.

Absolutely beautiful.

This simple phrase holds within it a world of wonder and admiration. It is a statement that can be used to describe a breathtaking landscape, a magnificent work of art, or a truly remarkable person.

When we encounter something that is absolutely beautiful, it has the power to stop us in our tracks, to take our breath away, and to fill our hearts with a sense of joy and inspiration.

It is a quality that is both subjective and objective, as what one person finds beautiful may not be the same for another. However, regardless of individual preferences, there are certain things that are universally recognized as being beautiful, such as the stars in the night sky, a blooming flower, or a smile on a child's face.

In a world that can often seem chaotic and ugly, the presence of beauty is a reminder of the good and the wonderful that exists all around us. It is something that we should cherish and seek out, for it has the ability to transform our lives and make us see the world in a whole new light.

Liked it, didn't love it.

This story is presented in an interesting way with alternating perspectives that change every chapter. The story of the mother, Salome, is told chronologically, while the story of the daughter, Camila, is told in reverse chronological order. This unique structure leads to their paths intersecting at the end of the book.

Personally, I found the story of the mother much more appealing than that of the daughter. The reverse chronological storytelling style didn't quite work for me. I also had a similar reaction to this form of storytelling in another famous title by the author, "How The Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents". It just made it less engaging for me as I already knew how events would unfold for the daughter, and it became rather confusing.

However, Salome's storyline was truly captivating. It was fascinating to see how she developed into the famous poet her character was inspired by. In fact, one of the things I liked most about the chapters focused on the daughter was how Salome's legacy continued to grow and have an impact on the future after her death. This added an interesting layer to the overall narrative.

In recent years, the literary landscape has witnessed a surge in fictionalized accounts of historical figures. Dozens of such works have been published by literary authors and publishing houses. Joyce Carol Oates' "BLONDE" (about Marilyn Monroe) and Russell Banks' "CLOUDSPLITTER" (about John Brown) are prime examples of this genre.

Personally, I have grown tired of such fiction. Had I known that Alvarez had joined this literary trend, I would never have bought "IN THE NAME OF SALOME" - and as a result, I would have missed out on a truly fabulous book.

Admittedly, this may not be Alvarez's best work. However, the literary standards and emotional impact it offers are still higher than those of most novels published today. This deeply imaginative portrait of the Dominican poet Salome Urena and her daughter Camila is remarkable. It captures the people behind the revolutions in the Dominican Republic and Cuba without idealizing them or reducing them to mere mouthpieces spouting political dogma. As Salome tells her young husband when he chides her for writing a non-revolutionary poem, "I am a woman as well as a poet." This is precisely what Alvarez achieves: a masterful melding of the public and private aspects of her characters, which gives the book genuine heart.

The novel spans over a hundred years, from the 1850s (the start of Salome's story) to the 1970s (the conclusion of Camila's story). Due to the interspersed nature of the two stories and the non-chronological narrative, the time and place can sometimes be confusing, despite the chapter headings intended to guide the reader. But don't let this flaw frustrate you; the story is well worth it. My advice is to simply surrender to Alvarez's skill and let her lead you wherever she desires.

I believe that most of Alvarez's fans will not be disappointed, and I suspect that she will gain some new readers with this novel, perhaps enticing these newcomers to explore her earlier works as well.

Mothers and daughters, sisters,

Here we are all together. Bundled up against the cold, our arms linked tightly,

Down the road we march with determination. Some of us bravely get on the platform,

Stepping forward to share our voices and stories. Others, perhaps a bit more shy or reserved,

Just stand to the side, but still part of this powerful group. We are united in our cause,

Whether we are in the spotlight or quietly observing. The bond between us is unbreakable,

And as we continue on this journey, we know that we have each other's support. Mothers and daughters,

Sisters, we are a force to be reckoned with.

I am much more interested in Salomé's story than in Camilla's. In fact, I would have rather read only about Salomé than have the two stories intertwined.

Salomé's story seems to have a certain allure and mystery that captivates my attention. I find myself drawn to her character and the events that unfold in her life.

The way her story is told, with its unique plot and complex emotions, makes it stand out for me. I believe that by focusing solely on Salomé, I could gain a deeper understanding of her and her experiences.

On the other hand, while Camilla's story may have its own merits, it doesn't hold the same level of interest for me. When the two stories are intertwined, it sometimes feels a bit chaotic and makes it difficult for me to fully engage with either one.

I would prefer to have a more in-depth exploration of Salomé's world, without the distraction of Camilla's narrative. This would allow me to immerse myself in Salomé's story and truly appreciate its beauty and significance.

We have a five-star!

In the Name of Salome is an extraordinary novel that takes the reader on a captivating journey through 100 years of Caribbean history. It features real historical people and events, providing a rich dose of history lessons. The book is told from two perspectives.

First, we have Camila Henriquez Ureña, a 60-year-old in 1960 who leaves her teaching job at Vassar College to travel to Cuba, where young revolutionary Fidel Castro is urging people to join him. Camila is the daughter of the famed poetess Salome Ureña, the national poet of the Dominican Republic.

The second perspective is from Salome's point of view, narrated in the first person. Her story is told in a linear form from 1858 until the moment of her death. Camila's story, on the other hand, starts in 1960 and goes back in time, so that both women meet when Salome dies and Camila is born.

There are two overarching themes in this novel. The first, and the most impactful for the reviewer, is the love of patria, which can be translated as 'love of country'. It's that deep-rooted love for one's country of birth that calls to you throughout life, as passionate as the love for a significant other or a child. Both women are affected by it in different ways. Salome, who never leaves the island and whose poetry inspires a nation to seek freedom from oppression and create a just and free land. Camila, who left the Dominican Republic at age 3 and was raised in Cuba, still yearns for her country.

The second theme is the love found in family, whether it's between sisters, fathers, brothers, mothers, etc. The novel explores different relationships, and Alvarez really focuses on the connection of a daughter who never knew her mother and her life-long quest to feel close to her.

Other themes that are explored well include racism and colorism within the Caribbean community, feminism, religious themes, and homosexuality.

Needless to say, the reviewer fell in love with this novel. It resonated deeply with them, becoming personal. Growing up in the Caribbean and writing poetry about the love of their island as a child, the description of how a poet's mind works was highly relatable.

The two main characters are Salome, who is strong-willed, passionate, and spunky. She spends her life as the matriarch of a country in ruins, with a total of 33 revolutions on the island during her 40 years of life. Her father teaches her poetry and tells her to save her tears because they are a poet's ink. We watch her grow up, fall in love with a man who disillusions her, and see her relationships with her sister, her children, and her country. Then there's Camila, who becomes motherless at age 3 and spends her life trying to grasp at the straws of her past as the daughter of an exiled president. Camila questions her sexuality in a time when having feelings for a woman is considered the greatest taboo. She is painfully shy and constantly lives in the shadows of her more successful family.

It is an incredibly moving story that the reviewer highly recommends. This is their first piece by Alvarez, and they can't wait to explore the rest of her novels. If they're anything like this or better, they will have nothing but more good things to say.

In the Name of Salome is a captivating story that delves into the lives of two women, a mother and a daughter. The author skillfully weaves their narratives together, alternating between the mother's story in one chapter and then transitioning to the daughter's world in the next.

I have encountered books with a similar structure before, and unfortunately, I often find myself getting confused between the characters. In this case, I was particularly drawn to the mother's story. It was so enthralling that I felt annoyed whenever the chapter ended, eager to continue learning more about her.

This novel is a work of historical fiction, with a focus on Cuba's tumultuous struggles during the revolution and under Castro's rule. The author includes numerous historical details, which I greatly appreciated, given my limited knowledge of Cuban history. However, due to my lack of familiarity with the subject matter, I did find it somewhat challenging to follow the historical context at times.

I recall reading In the Time of the Butterflies in the 8th grade, which I believe is by the same author. That book also centered around Latin American struggles, but its story and tone were much more rich and engaging compared to In the Name of Salome. Nevertheless, I did like that In the Name of Salome revolved around powerful women, highlighting their significant role in Cuba's fight for independence.

I had attempted to read this book on several occasions. However, it was not until I finally sat down and compelled myself to complete it that I truly understood my feelings towards it.

The constant back and forth between different time periods within the story was rather disorienting and made it difficult for me to fully engage. Moreover, the writing style struck me as lacking in inspiration and creativity.

I had initially expected there to be a greater exploration of political themes, but to my disappointment, the narrative seemed to drag on without much substance or depth. It felt like a slog to get through, and I found myself constantly looking forward to reaching the end.

Overall, this book did not meet my expectations, and I cannot say that I would recommend it to others.

I have a profound love for historical fiction. It gives me great pleasure to explore the history of various countries through engaging and enjoyable books. This particular one caught my attention.

What I really liked about it was when the narrative was told from Salome's voice. She was a renowned poet who lived in the Dominican Republic during a period of frequent revolutions. Her perspective added depth and authenticity to the story.

However, I didn't quite take to the daughter's voice, Camila. I couldn't establish a connection with her character, and I felt that her part didn't contribute significantly to the overall plot. Additionally, I wasn't a fan of the interpretation of her life. While I understand that it's likely fictionalized, there's always a possibility that it might hold some truth.

Overall, despite my reservations about Camila's character and the interpretation of her life, I still found the book to be an interesting read, especially because of Salome's engaging voice.

This is an extraordinarily captivating book.

It presents a fictionalized account of a real family hailing from the Dominican Republic. The narrative closely follows the lives of the renowned poet Salome Urena de Henriquez and her daughter, Camila.

What I especially adored about this book was its unique structure. The chapters alternate between Salome and Camila's perspectives. Salome's story commences from the beginning of her life and unfolds towards the end, while Camila's progresses in reverse.

Salome passes away when Camila is extremely young, yet the two women exert a profound influence on each other. Thus, it is only fitting that the book's structure leads them to one another, to that brief period when mother and daughter have the opportunity to spend time together.

The political struggles of the Dominican Republic and Cuba hold significant sway in the story. However, Alvarez astutely emphasizes the intricate relationship between mothers and daughters, particularly for the tongue-tied Camila who dwells in the verbally eloquent shadow of her mother.

I am truly and very glad that I had the opportunity to read this remarkable book.

Salome is a real historical figure. She is not only a national poet but also the founder of women's higher education in the Dominican Republic.

My favorite aspect of well-researched historical fiction is its ability to transport you into the life of a person and show how history shaped their story, providing context and an extra dimension.

I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in the lives of these two women, Salome and Camila. The author managed to explore numerous themes. For instance, there is a complex mother-daughter relationship. The choices of Salome's children regarding how and where they choose to live illustrate the abstractions of patriotism and living as an expat.

This was a truly lovely book, well worth the time and effort to read. It offers a captivating glimpse into the lives of these remarkable women and the historical context that influenced them.

Whether you are interested in history, women's studies, or simply a good story, this book has something to offer. It is a testament to the power of historical fiction to bring the past to life and engage the reader on multiple levels.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and thought-provoking read.