In Time of the Book Report

In Time of the Butterflies, by Julia Alvarez, is a sensitive novel a dominican family struggling under the dictatorship of Trujuillo. Based off of true events, the story takes you inside the minds of the four Mirabal sisters, Minerca, Patria, Maria teresa, and the only surviving sister, Dede.
Maria Teresa, the youngest daughter writes in a journal that foreshadow later events:
"Dear Little book,
What does it mean that I now really have a soul? that is a soul when it commits moral sins. Venial sins are lighter, like a rash instead of measles. A rash that goes away even without confession if you say an Act of Contrition. Minerva says a soul is like a deep longing in you that you can never fill up, but try to. that is why there are stirring poems and brave heros who die for what is right. (page 31)"
Most of these kinds of stories are long and boring with facts leaking out every page. This book is different. Julia really makes the story more personal by truly putting you in the mind and emotions of all four sisters. When reading the book, I could really feel the emotions in the air. I felt sadness when the eldest gave birth to a still born, I felt anger when loved ones died because of Trujillo's selfish temper, I felt scared when one of the sisters was trapped in the center of the battle watching a man get shot.
This story how it its told helps you understand the predicament the Dominican Republic was in in Trujillo's power. Any one, and i do mean anyone, who disliked, protested, or displeased Trujillo magically died. Truth is people were murdered, but were covered by stories to make it seem like they died on their own or by accident.
It is a magnificent book, and let me tell you, if you saw the movie... buy the book and read it. Not only is it WAY better, but it gives you more than one main character and more plots and rebellion.