First Quarter SSR

     During the first quarter, I decided to read In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez. This non-fiction novel that is 344 pages long, is about four sisters who are describing their perspective, feelings, and thoughts at the time where their country, Dominican Republic was being controlled by a dictator named Rafael Trujillo. The Mirabal sisters each tell their life while expressing the conflicts they are facing. However, the girls biggest problem is trying to overcome and destroy the powerful dictator ruling their country. They at one point become heroes of Dominican Republic. The interesting part is that this novel is based on true events and actual people. The book is outlined in chapters that are in a specific time period and the moment is being illustrated by one of the sisters. The Mirabal sisters, Teresa, Minerva, and Patria tell their part of the story in past tense while Dede is the only one talking in present tense.
     I like this book because you are able to see the story from different angles. Every girl lives on a unique path and knows things that the others don't. They are living in a different atmosphere however in the same world. You are able to connect with more than one character and for different situations. All the girls struggle with different troubles however they are always together. It is powerful knowing that these girls are like any other people fighting against the leader to make a change for their country.
     However, what I didn't like about the book is the way it is outlined or its format. The way the chapters are dated was pretty confusing. The dates were not in a nice sequence but are really important to understand the time of the setting. Every girl was talking in a different moment of their life. As long as you remember and understand where you are at in time then their won't be a big of a problem. Just don't forget where you stopped.
     I highly recommend this book to all of you who like books that are part of real history. It helps you see the life and perspective of those who are the heroes. It is a strong book that inspires you and shows you a little of the bad situation the Dominican Republic was in while being a communist country.